Hearts of Iron Video Game Series

A series of RTSs of the grand strategy type, behind which is the Paradox Development Studio team. We are talking about the developers who have in their portfolio, among others, such brands as Crusader Kings, Victoria and Europa Universalis.

In the games of the series Hearts of Iron you can play alone or in multiplayer mode (over the Internet or on a local network). Productions under this banner are characterized by a rather simple graphic design; the game takes place in them on a political map of the world, and most of the time we spend staring at various elements of the interface.

In the course of the gameplay, we are engaged in managing a country and conducting political and military activities before, during and after World War II. How much we delve into the whole process depends on our individual preferences and skills. Games in the series Hearts of Iron allow us both to watch over all aspects of our country's functioning and to focus solely on making the most important decisions.

The first installment of this series, titled Hearts of Iron (published in Poland as Europa Universalis: World War II), made its debut on personal computers in November 2002. The title depicted the events of 1937-1946 on a global scale. The production was artistically and commercially successful, so after a little over two years it lived to see a continuation. Game Hearts of Iron II went on sale in January 2005. Compared to its predecessor, the discussed item stood out due to various changes and improvements in mechanics and a wider range of possibilities available to players. The title lived to see three expansions, namely Doomsday (2006), Doomsday - Armageddon (2007) and Iron Cross: A Hearts of Iron Game (2010), developed by Irshappa studio.

Fans had to wait a little longer for the full-fledged third part of the series, until August 2009. Hearts of Iron III drew handfuls from the legacy of its predecessors. Nevertheless, the interface was bent, which became more accessible. In addition, the production lived to see a three-dimensional graphic design. The title received more than a dozen add-ons, among which there were both large expansions and smaller add-ons, introducing new units, cosmetic elements and music tracks.

The support, which lasted for years, was henceforth to become a standard for the series. Game Hearts of Iron IV debuted in June 2016, and in addition to updated visuals and a re-improved interface, it brought changes to the command structure and introduced new tactical options. In addition, it introduced a day and night cycle and changing seasons. Like the third part of the series, the item in question lived to see a variety of additions - from smaller DLC to large expansions, released on average once a year.

Hearts of Iron Series Evolution

2016

Hearts of Iron IV

2009

Hearts of Iron III

2006

Hearts of Iron 2: Zlota Edycja

2005

Hearts of Iron 2

2002

Hearts of Iron

Hearts of Iron IV

Strategy

June 6, 2016

The fourth major installment in a series of larg-scale strategy games, which originated in 2002 as a spin-off to the popular Europa Universalis series. Both franchises are consistently developed by Paradox Interactive. The game lets you take the lead of a country from the World War II period and beyond, specifically the years 1936-1948. Your responsibilities involve taking care of international relations and building alliances, but also developing the army, choosing the right strategy, and conducting the military operations. As it was in the previous editions of the series, the game combines faithfully recreated historical events (including authentic leaders, as well as military forces and technologies used by particular countries, along with the possibility of putting the history on a different course. As compared with the previous games, micromanagement was slightly reduced, and the focus shifted to larg-scale strategy. Other additions include the day and night cycle and changing seasons, as well as an option of grouping provinces into regions to facilitate management.

Hearts of Iron IV

Hearts of Iron IV: Together for Victory December 15, 2016
Hearts of Iron IV: Death or Dishonor June 14, 2017
Hearts of Iron IV: Waking the Tiger March 8, 2018
Hearts of Iron IV: Man the Guns February 28, 2019
Hearts of Iron IV: La Resistance February 25, 2020
Hearts of Iron IV: No Step Back November 23, 2021
Hearts of Iron IV: By Blood Alone September 27, 2022
Hearts of Iron IV: Arms Against Tyranny October 10, 2023
Hearts of Iron IV: Trial of Allegiance March 7, 2024
Hearts of Iron IV: Götterdämmerung November 14, 2024

Hearts of Iron III

Strategy

August 7, 2009

Another installment in the popular historical strategy games franchise by Paradox Interactive, taking players back in time into the period of the bloodiest conflict in history – World War Two. As the player, your task is to come into power in your country of choice – either one of the superpowers of the time, or a militarily weaker country – and lead it through the global conflict. The plot of Hearts of Iron spans from 1936 to 1948, so you can choose to prepare for the inevitable war first. The creators have taken historical accuracy seriously, thanks to which you witness many events that really took place, although much still depends on your actions. The third instalment of the franchise features a huge world map, divided into around ten thousand provinces. In Hearts of Iron III, you can meticulously manage economic and military factors, although the less experienced players may just limit themselves to issuing general commands. It's the first title in the series to feature 3D graphics and customizable resolution options.

Hearts of Iron III

Hearts of Iron III: Semper Fi June 6, 2010
Hearts of Iron III: For the Motherland June 29, 2011
Hearts of Iron III: Semper Fi - Dies Irae Götterdämmerung May 10, 2011
Hearts of Iron III: Their Finest Hour September 26, 2012

Hearts of Iron Anthology

Strategy

August 30, 2007

Complete set consisting of four products. These are primarily the first two parts of the "Hearts of Iron" series. In addition, we can count on a stand-alone add-on "Doomsday" and booster pack "Armageddon".

Hearts of Iron Anthology

Hearts of Iron 2: Zlota Edycja

Strategy

June 16, 2006

Hearts of Iron 2: Gold Edition is a special edition of Paradox Interactive's popular real-time war strategy (RTS). The package includes the base game and the official Hearts of Iron 2: Doomsday extension. Thanks to the efforts of the local distributor - Cenega Poland - both titles have been prepared in the Polish language version.

Hearts of Iron 2: Zlota Edycja

Hearts of Iron 2

Strategy

January 4, 2005

A sequel to the well-received grand strategy game set during World War II, developed by Paradox Interactive. Hearts of Iron 2 spans the entire world and requires us to oversee not only military activities but also all kinds of economic, political, and social dependencies. The player can lead any country, including the biggest superpowers of the era, such as Germany, Great Britain, and the Soviet Union. Hearts of Iron 2 offers great freedom in preparations for the outbreak of the World War II. The general premise of the gameplay recreates the solutions of the game's predecessor, but the sequel features many novelties, including additional diplomatic and political options (for example, you can check what would happen if Marxist ideas were introduced in Germany), an open negotiation system, trade agreements, or experience acquisition for military units. Historical scenarios that let us see the conflict through the eyes of a famous commander were also enhanced.

Hearts of Iron 2

Hearts of Iron 2: Doomsday April 7, 2006
Hearts of Iron 2: Doomsday - Armageddon March 29, 2007
Iron Cross: A Hearts of Iron Game July 10, 2010

Hearts of Iron

Strategy

November 26, 2002

A real-time strategy game set in the times of the World War II, developed by Paradox Interactive. The production shows military and political events that took place in years 1937 to 1946 in the global scale. The map spans the entire world, and the players have complete freedom in choosing the nation they will lead. We conduct warfare even in areas which historically weren’t touched by the World War II. The gameplay is enriched by an advanced system of weapon and unit development and a political system with historical commanders and leaders (the title shows the confrontation of three ideologies: fascism, communism, and democracy). There are over 100 land, sea, and air units at players’ disposal. The production comes with a scenario editor that lets us design our own campaigns. Apart from solo play, Hearts of Iron features a multiplayer mode.

Hearts of Iron

Hearts of Iron Series News

New Expansion for Hearts of Iron 4 Takes Us to Northern Europe