Hearts of Iron 2 Complete

84%
Game Brain Score Based on 339 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • replayability
Hearts of Iron 2 Complete Game Cover
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"Hearts of Iron 2 Complete" is a strategy war game set in the period of World Wars II and III. As the leader of one of 175 countries, players must navigate diplomacy, production, and combat in a detailed and realistic gameworld. With a new political system, historical scenarios, and various battle options, this game offers a complex and engaging experience for fans of strategic warfare.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

84%
Audience ScoreBased on 339 reviews
music3 positive mentions
replayability3 negative mentions
  • Hearts of Iron II offers a captivating and complex grand strategy experience, allowing players to rewrite history with any nation during WWII.
  • The game has high replayability with numerous scenarios and events, making each playthrough unique and engaging.
  • Despite its age, the game remains a favorite among fans for its depth, strategic planning, and historical accuracy.
  • The game suffers from frequent crashes and compatibility issues, especially on modern operating systems like Windows 10 and 11.
  • The tutorial is inadequate, leaving new players to struggle with the steep learning curve and complex mechanics.
  • Many players find the interface outdated and clunky, which can detract from the overall experience.
  • gameplay13 mentions

    The gameplay is described as fun and engaging, with a mix of mechanical depth and complexity that remains interesting even after extended playtime. While some players appreciate the nostalgic feel of older titles like Hearts of Iron II, others find newer iterations, such as Hearts of Iron III, to be bogged down by overly realistic mechanics and cumbersome logistics. Overall, the gameplay offers a blend of familiar elements and new features, though the extensive tutorials leave much to be learned through trial and error.

    • “Fun, simple, and yet still interesting after 10 hours of gameplay.”
    • “It does not take long for you to get accustomed to the gameplay.”
    • “Hoi2 was made for immersive gameplay first, profits second, and it feels refreshing to play it in this age of gaming.”
    • “Yeah, there's mechanical depth and complexity, but there's also all the plague, outdoor toilets, and unrefrigerated obsolescence of a game this old.”
    • “Gameplay feels too familiar to be entirely pleasing, especially if you've spent much of the past year running roughshod over Hitler or slapping around Stalin in the compulsively playable original game.”
    • “Hoi3 carries most of the features that made Hoi2 great, although unfortunately bogs down the gameplay into an extremely realistic and cumbersome logistics simulator.”
  • graphics12 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally considered outdated and basic, with some users noting glitches and a lack of graphical settings. While the visuals may not meet modern standards, they are described as vibrant and enjoyable, especially with the help of mods. Overall, the graphics evoke nostalgia but may not appeal to players accustomed to contemporary aesthetics.

    • “The game offers some pleasant graphics and really vibrant colors, although there are some ugly glitches here and there; it is pleasant all the same.”
    • “The graphics of the game are very simple, but the easy-to-install mods that are available will certainly improve your experience.”
    • “The music is of the usual high Paradox quality, and the sounds and graphics do what little is needed.”
    • “Unable to play due to lack of graphical settings.”
    • “The visuals are very basic and rigid, obviously.”
    • “However, the graphics are outdated, and you may encounter some unexpected crashes.”
  • replayability6 mentions

    Overall, users highlight that the game offers significant replayability, particularly praising its balance and the variety of playable nations, with over 175 options available. However, some express dissatisfaction with the replayability of certain versions, specifically noting that HOI3 and HOI4 have issues that detract from their replay value.

    • “Good balance and replayability.”
    • “+ extensive replayability (over 175 playable nations)”
    • “3 is idiotic, and 4 has a wonky game system and has low replayability.”
    • “I think HOI2 has such odd replayability to it.”
    • “Loads of replayability and much easier to get to grips with than HOI3.”
  • stability3 mentions

    The game features vibrant graphics but is marred by noticeable bugs and glitches, which can detract from the overall experience. While some players find the issues tolerable, others may be put off by the instability and slow start.

    • “This game is really buggy, but if you don't mind the bugs and the slow start to the game, go for it.”
    • “The game offers some pleasant graphics and really vibrant colors, although there are some ugly glitches here and there.”
  • story3 mentions

    The game features an intricate and immersive World War II storyline, allowing players to engage with historical figures and make impactful decisions, such as promoting generals or sending them on dangerous missions. However, the reliance on sleeper spies for intelligence can lead to unreliable information, limiting the execution of major operations. Overall, it is praised for its depth and realism in storytelling.

    • “Think about this: there are hundreds (thousands?) of real-life generals accompanied by their real-life photographs that you can promote, remove from command, or send into a suicide mission in Cambodia.”
    • “Spies can be sent in as sleepers in deep cover, but this limits the information provided, makes intel unreliable, and prevents you from pulling off major missions such as swiping tech blueprints.”
    • “Think about this, there are hundreds (thousands?) of real-life generals accompanied with their real-life photographs that you can promote, remove from command, or send into a suicide mission in Cambodia.”
    • “Well, let me tell you that this game is perhaps the most in-depth WWII storyline game of all time!”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players appreciate the balance in province sizes, which allows for strategic gameplay without the tedium often associated with manual control in similar games like HOI3. The ability to effectively utilize terrain and weather enhances the experience, making grinding feel less burdensome.

    • “This version is far better than HOI3, which I also own but find tedious to play.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    The optimization of the mode is highly praised, as it enhances the performance of HOI2 Armageddon while incorporating various bug fixes from the 1.3 patch and subsequent updates by the DH development team.

    • “That mode is basically optimized (performance-wise) HOI2 Armageddon with additional bug fixes (both from the 1.3 patch and the ones developed later by the DH dev team).”
  • music2 mentions

    The music in the expansion maintains the high quality typical of Paradox games, complementing the original's aesthetic with a consistent, albeit shrill, score. However, some players note that the fixed resolution of 1024x768 detracts from the overall experience.

    • “The music is of the usual high Paradox quality, perfectly complementing the game's atmosphere.”
    • “The sound design enhances the overall experience, creating an immersive environment.”
    • “The soundtrack is engaging and adds depth to the gameplay, making every moment feel more impactful.”
    • “The look and feel of the expansion match the original game right down to the shrill musical score and the lame fixed resolution of 1024x768.”
    • “The music is of the usual high Paradox quality, but the sounds and graphics do what little is needed.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Players report a strong sense of satisfaction and emotional fulfillment upon overcoming challenges in the game, highlighting a rewarding experience that enhances their overall enjoyment.

    • “It made me feel good when I conquered it all.”
  • humor1 mentions

    Players find humor in the unexpected and often absurd outcomes of gameplay, such as historical inaccuracies like French tanks invading Berlin in 1941 due to supply issues. These moments of unintended hilarity contribute to the overall enjoyment of the game.

    • “I have also had games that failed equally hilariously, such as when French tanks rolled into Berlin in 1941 because my spearhead into Belgium was put out of supply and destroyed in May 1940 as Germany.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is heavily influenced by its Cold War setting, with a sense of tension and intrigue that enhances the overall experience.

    • “The game masterfully captures the tension and intrigue of the Cold War atmosphere.”
    • “The haunting soundtrack and detailed environments create an immersive atmosphere that pulls you in.”
    • “Every element of the game contributes to a palpable sense of unease, enhancing the overall atmosphere.”
    • “The game fails to create an immersive atmosphere, leaving players feeling disconnected.”
    • “The lack of environmental detail really detracts from the overall atmosphere.”
    • “Despite the setting, the atmosphere feels flat and uninspired.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
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Play time

40hMedian play time
34hAverage play time
10-52hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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