Hearts of Iron II

What it is

Hearts of Iron II is a grand strategy wargame from Development Studio, published by Paradox Interactive. The listed package includes the base game and the Doomsday and Armageddon expansions. Players lead one of 175 countries through World War II and a possible World War III, with diplomacy, production, political change, and movement-based combat shaping the conflict. Air and naval operations use missions for logistical strikes and targeted bombing. The game includes fifteen battle scenarios, ranging from historical campaigns to alternative-history setups, as well as cooperative multiplayer in which players can share control of a country. Doomsday adds a World War III scenario, expanded technology trees, nuclear warfare options, helicopter squads, escort carriers, and an improved diplomacy and intelligence system. Steam lists single-player, multiplayer, and Family Sharing. The listed platforms are Windows and macOS, while the Steam platform listing specifies Windows. The game’s Steam release date is Jan 23, 2009.

What players like, and what they don't

Who it suits

It suits players interested in World War II and alternative-history strategy, including managing a country’s diplomacy, production, and military. Cooperative multiplayer is relevant to groups who want to share control of one country.

Hearts of Iron II combines country-level strategy with scenarios spanning historical and alternative outcomes. Its expansions extend the conflict into World War III and add further military and technology options.