With that in mind, I decided to learn the game by playing as Poland. Or you could support a domestic fascist political party and become an Axis power.

If you play as the United States, for example, you can pursue historically similar goals, pull the country out of the Great Depression and aid free Europe against tyranny. One of the great things about Hearts of Iron is that you can set your own goals. With that in mind, I leaped into Hearts of Iron IV.

In Total War games I’ll often auto-resolve conflicts because I want to get back to the business of managing my empire. I once had a roommate who loved Europa Universalis and I’d stare over his shoulder at all the maps, colors and hexes in frightened awe.īut I love strategy games, especially those such as Civilization that focus on the macro level. It’s hard, rewarding and a ton of fun.įull disclosure - I had never played a Paradox game until now. The game asks players to take charge of a country during the 1930s and ’40s and steer it to success during the bloodiest era in world history.

Hearts of iron germany