Ok in the past few days I have been looking up the strategy game Hearts of Iron and interested in it. But the thing is the only demo I can find of the game is Hearts of Iron 2. And even further the problem is the demo just started me off in a part of WW2 without any notice or tutorial . I would like to get this game but if I am going to be dropped on my butt as any old country with no help playing(aka no tutorial of any sorts) the game it is hard for me to get into the game if it is as complex as Hearts of Iron seems to be. So in short people who have Hearts of Iron is there an easier way to learn and play the game instead of the one demo that drops me into a conflict with little idea what to do?

I won't sugarcoat it: HoI isn't for everyone. It has a sheer wall for a learning curve, and you have to be aware of some rudimentary real-world (WW2-era) strategies to be most effective in the game - you won't be able to simply build a stack-of-doom and zerg your enemies. But what a game it is, once you learn the ropes: nearly every nation on Earth is playable, almost every square mile is part of the battleground, and the last campaign I played (as the USA) took me 3 months to complete, ending with a Cold War against the soviets...

The way I learned to play was just to dive right into the full game with a step-by-step guide, following the instructions blindly until I learned what the results would be. The manual that comes with the game is also uncommonly informative, written by a rather knowledgeable member of the player community and officially sanctioned by the devs. There's also some Let's Plays you could follow on Youtube, and hundreds of AARs on the official Paradox forums, chronicling the many strategies to victory employed by various players. (I'm not sure, however, if any have been made for the demo specifically.)

It's not an obvious game at first, and downright overwhelming with options, but the basics turn out to be relatively simple (though some of the advanced features may have you trawling the forums for advice.)

I've played HoI2 since 2004 and, well, I haven't played another game so much and with so much joy.

Joker said pretty much everything I would, but I should add that it gives an unforeseen freedom in making your own history. The Japanese conquering London? Possible. Nazi nuclear weapons? Possible. American world domination? Possible.

It takes a bit to learn but in the end, HoI2 is the best strategy game I've ever seen.

Bhutanese world domination?

Of course, but it's going to be tough since you start as a British puppet nation, making allying with the Axis (your best choice for WD) difficult. I never had the patience to play as microminors in the game, but I did conquer the entire Soviet Union and USA as Finland back in Hearts of iron 1.

I've played HoI 3 for a while, and enjoyed it. Everyone is right when they say it's got a wall for the learning curve. I still don't know everything about the game, because it's just soooo massive. It's currently on my rather large back-log of games to play, actually....

Another strat game that is like HoI is Europa Universalis. Just bought EU III from steam for 4 bucks, so you can't go wrong there either.

Yes, if you're looking for a game like that this that is slightly more approachable, I'd definitely recommend Europa Universalis III. In particular I'd recommend you try Europa Universalis III multiplayer, certainly an experience not to be missed. Hearts of Iron III is a game with a lot of potential but, sadly, fighting the AI is at times like kicking a mentally deficient puppy, particularly when it comes to naval campaigns. Maybe it'll be improved with the upcoming expansion though, who knows. Although, having said that, it is still possible to have fun with Hearts of Iron III and I've also had a lot of fun with HoI2, which is certainly still a worthwhile purchase.

With regards to learning to play, HoI3 does include a fairly comprehensive tutorial if you buy it, although I can't say I remember the tutorial in HoI2 being much good.

Hey folks, I would like to introduce you to an AAR I've been spreading around all the internet forum communities I know of. This is slightly interactive - if anyone has an input on my next move or an opinion I'd welcome it. This is the introduction to the events that will take place, one defining the political reasons and motivations for Turkey to go to war. Now this is my first AAR - go easy, guys.

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A Resurgence in the Ottoman East

[img]http://www.appliedlanguage.com/flags_of_the_world/large_flag_of_turkey.gif[/img]

Prologue - Motivations and Politics

In the Treaty of Versailles, the former Ottoman Empire was deconstructed and dismantled, forming the modern Middle East, including Persia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, among others. Territories were claimed by the Entente, including Syria by the French. There were other territorial disputes aside from those created in the aftermath of WWI. The Dodecanese islands were a source of dispute between Italy, Greece and Turkey, and Turk minorities existed in the Balkans and the Caucasus. All this is territory that must be reclaimed.

In the late 20's and the 30's, an extreme nationalist movement was born from the resentment forged from the deconstruction of the Ottoman Empire. That Imperialist movement demanded territory of the former Ottoman Empire and sympathized with the National Socialists in Germany under Adolf Hitler, causing Turkey to drift further toward the Axis.

In secret, the Axis countries of Europe divided up the Middle East, the Balkans and the Caucasus, with Turkey aggressively negotiating for it's territorial claims. It demanded the annexation of the countries borne of Versailles and restoration of it's former territories, and in addition to that, lands in the Caucasus in the circumstance of the eventual war of ideology against the USSR, and lands in the Balkans. This conflicted with the lands claimed by Hungary which also wanted restoration of it's former lands.

Historically, Romania was part of the anti-Comintern pact. Originally it was actually an Allied sympathizer and an ally to the Poles, but sadly it found itself increasingly isolated as WWII progressed. Only when the USSR pressed claims to Besserabia and the fascist movement grew strength did Romania become an Axis member. But what presents a dilemma is that if Romania is annexed there will be a war on two fronts with Russia, one Turkey can simply not win. It can barely hope for a victory in the Caucasus, relying on shockingly poor infrastructure and terrain to help it. So, in regards to Romania, things must simply go it's historical course in regards to Besserabia (and the Romanian land claimed by Hungary).

CHAPTER ONE: 1936, Rearmament.

The first steps for the reunification of the Ottoman Empire were taken on the dawn of 1936. German sympathizers and nationalistic elements of the Government caused Turkey to drift further toward the Axis camp.


In order to reunify the Ottoman Empire, steps must be taken to reorganize our order of battle and overhaul our military units.


First, divisions were attached to the existing Corps HQ units, and then a third Corps (II. Toplukuk) was formed with the remaining divisions. At this point it is to decide how to re-equip our outdated units. Artillery brigades could be attached for support, but the terrain all over where the war will be waged is atrocious, mostly hilly and mountainous, coupled with horrible infrastructure. Divisions that rely heavily on heavy artillery for firepower would simply be slow and not able to be supplied. So, all existing divisions will be reformed into Mountain divisions.



But the civilian population is not to be ignored. They must be prepared for the great war that will come in their time, and realize the eventuality of such a crusade.


And the subtleties of war must not be ignored either. The Intelligence force is an important asset, one that must be utilized. The populace will be geared for war in the Balkans by propaganda, and our own Unity and patriotism must be raised in the face of adversity.


Last but certainly least, politics. There was a minor shakeup of the cabinet, with Ali Orlungat appointed to position of Chief of Staff, and Kazim Olzap as foreign minister.

Foreign matters have been progressing as the preparations on the home front continued. France enacted the diplomatic event 'The Popular Front' and the Spanish Civil War began in late March.


And so ends another year, with Christmas just around the corner. Wait, what's this? A present! Ohhhh, the Guanxi Clique is offering a trade agreement. How cute.

EDIT: Jesus, images blocked? What bright spark thought that up? Just click the links.

Kudos to BootySweat for transferring the posts.

I have HOI 3, the only thing I don't like about it is the amount of time it takes to produce units, I cant ever seem to make enough units to be effect when the war officially starts. Also if you make a lot the game eventually freezes, no one will fix it. I also hate the fact that it is almost impossible to get a country that wasn't on the axis in real life to join the axis, I once had America extremely close, Their neutrality (I believe that's what it is called I forgot) was almost there it needed to be then it hit 1935 and it shot all the way back up and it was impossible to make it go down again. I was so close to making America a member of the Axis! I also like the fact that there are tons of countries to play as, but a lot of them cannot do anything because they don't have the resources or production. I really like West Front for my WWII strategy fix, its and oldy but a goody.

http://gamesindustry.co/data/images/review/755.jpg

Also doesn't have, to quote an earlier poster, a "sheer wall" as a learning curb. It is a lot more basic, not really even in the same league as HOI.

I recommend everyone getting the Hearts of Iron 2 remake "Darkest Hour". It's the only HoI2 game still being patched and a free-of-charge expansion is coming out in near months. Any form of HoI2 is superior to HoI3 but DH in my opinion beats every game in the series. Made by fans and modders, they know what the game needs.

It takes a few months to construct an infantry unit, which is the mainstay of your forces (or at least it should be). It takes about, what? Six months or so to build your average Hard unit? The only units it takes forever to build are ships like carriers or bomber wings. Basically, you aren't supposed to spam tanks! Even as Germany what you should be doing is getting Motorized and Tank Destroyer (both units are extremely cheap and cost effective while Tank Destroyer brigades are the best source of hardness aside from Heavy and Super Heavy tanks) brigades in your divisions to get a Combined Arms bonus then research heavily into the Spearhead doctrine to get the appropriate bonuses to Breakthrough combat event and Org/Morale bonuses to your armor. You should only have one or two proper panzer divisions (say 2x ARM 1x ENG 1x SPART) per Motorized Corps and use those explicitly for breakthroughs.

It is incredibly easy to get countries that weren't in the Axis into the axis. You are not supposed to get America in, but you can with TAG command and a lot of time. For example, Axis Spain, Axis Portugal, Axis Brazil, Axis Persia, Axis Turkey... The game is a lot less fun if you play a Major.

EDIT: How the hell did you play in 1935? The Grand Campaign starts in '36.

Oh and get your officer ratio to 140% to maximize org regen.

Yeah he deserve some kudos, but after that I had a little conversion with him via the PM system here.

BootySweat for a great job!

Games like HoI have steep learning curves, but they are very rewarding once you've taken the time to learn how to play them properly imo. If you think it's your kind of game then it's probably worth the effort.

I didn't find HOI as enjoyable as EU3, I guess I enjoyed the diplomatic freedom to be an ass that EU3 has.

HOI seems to be more combat focused, which can take seemingly forever, and there's little opportunity to deviate from history much.


I had a fun time playing as Germany, taking forever to break the Maginot line because I didn't realise it was best to surround enemy troops, but a small battalion broke through to Paris and forced the annexation of the country. I then teamed up with Poland (who had a puppet government installed) and Romania, slowly pushing the Soviets back across Russia. I found the best strategy was to cut off their supply lines by carving a line through their territory and then massing on the isolated pockets of resistance. Eventually this broke their line of defence enough that we could take the major cities. In the end we got a puppet government out of them, bringing all of Europe onto the Axis side.


England decided to invade in 1942, landing a lot of troops and armour in Holland, but we eventually penned them in and defeated them in the battle of Den Helder. With Britain mostly undefended then, I sent a few advance scouts across to establish a beachead in Kent, and in the course of a year we'd conquered all of Britain with just a few infantry divisions and a few Panzers.

I was also influencing the USA to become pro-axis, but they declared war on us anyway and conquered Sardinia from the French Axis forces. But they didn't have nearly as much capacity to invade Europe with everyone there against them.

The guys who conquered the world as Albania and Lithuania would disagree with you about 'there being little opportunity to deviate from history.'

I don't see how Nazis assaulting the United States, Japan developing nuclear weapons, Finland joining the Allies and bringing them against the USSR, and China joining the Axis qualify as "little opportunity to deviate from history much".

I've played Hearts of Iron since HoI1 was released, that is 2002, and I think that while it doesn't allow as funny maps as EU it allows much more variety and replayability. EU is about you fighting against either Austria or France depending on which patch you play. It's always the Big Blue Blob or Big White Blob taking over the world. As any non-European nation you spend the game trying to westernize joining the fight somewhere in late 17th century.
EU2 I also played for years and without mods it's rather dull in the long run. EU3 is a great game but not as good as EU2 with AGC-EEP and MyMap.

http://img804.imageshack.us/img804/5131/darkesthour201110091740.jpg is a good example of what Hearts of Iron 2 has to offer.
EDIT: That's Kaiserreich mod, which is set in a world where Germany won WW1. Britain, France, Italy and Spain are all Communist.

When I played as Brazil it was very hard to build up the necessay requirements to declare war or join the axis. And WW2 happens either way, whether you're fighting it or not, whereas in EU3 you have all of history to take a different path. You have no opportunity to form your own alliances and blocks, you either join the allies or the axis or you stay independent.

I'm not knocking HOi, I'm just saying the transition to a more structured historical system wa a bit jarring at first. I've played many games of EU3 where France and Austria ave been utterly destroyed, but the basic layout of the HOi map is restricted by it's short timeline.

When I said forever I meant in relation of other games.

Also I don't care if I am not "Supposed" to get America to join the Axis, I WANT to. I have always heard "do what ever you want, change history" as an explanation of this game.
Its been a while since I have played I don't remember when it starts.

It's more in relation to changing how the war is fought, than completely altering the timeline. It takes a while to convince your nation to do something out of character.

Played a match as South Africa today.


South Africa was pretty safe while Germany was preoccupied keeping hold of Europe, so I was able to build up my pathetic forces with some armoured tank divisions, and in late 1944, I declared war on Portugal, with the intent of seizing their African colonies. This had the nice effect of dragging the rest of the Allies into what was really just a war of conquest for SA.

In Europe, the Allied landing in France were defeated by the Germans, so instead the war raged in Italy and the Soviet Union. Our South African troops helped with the allied invasion of Italy, but Germany reinforced the line so the Allies were forced back to Naples. I contented myself with SAAF bombing runs on Rome until the British got their act together.

Eventually, The USSR pushed the German troops back across Europe, but with no opposite force of Allied troops coming from France, The USSR was able to absorb most of Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, Germany and the Benelux countries into Comintern. http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr212/Qeros/HoI3_sa.png.

The USA also helped us out, by conquering Portugal for us, which moved the Portuguese capital to Vila Salazar in Africa, where my troops took the town and enforced conquest on Portugal. In 1946, the war still raged in China between the many broken factions, but South Africa had almost doubled it's territorial holdings. http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr212/Qeros/sa1.png

As I have said in the Paradox Games thread HOI2 is one of my favorite games ever. The only game that might be close, in terms of hours of play is Morrowind. HOI3 I don't really like though. I'm not sure why but the game just doesn't interest me, I guess bigger is not always better.

EDIT: This is a good tutorial AAR for HOI2, not sure about one for HOI3, never cared enough to look.

http://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/showthread.php?378841-quot-How-the-heck-do-you-play-this-game-!-quot-A-simple-tutorial-AAR

Play Darkest Hour. Just trying to play historically takes a lot of sweat. Winning as Germany is harder than in all the other HoI games combined and requires a truckload of planning and just plain luck.

You're not supposed to join the Axis as America because the USA is a democratic country and the fundamental ideological difference with the Axis causes you to drift away. Want to be in the Axis? Then the Fascists or the Paternal Autocrat parties have to win the election. Simple.