This is a big improvement, as it allows the United States, for example, to develop German-style blitzkrieg doctrines, or Japan to adopt Soviet-style mass army doctrines.
HEARTS OF IRON 3 PATCH
Luckily, by the most current patch these problems have been somewhat resolved, but the gamer who wants to play HOI 3 should be clearly aware that it is a resource-heavy program that only those with very fast graphics cards, plenty of memory and a fast chip should attempt to play.Īs to gameplay, the player has the ability to not only research technologies, but to select from all combat doctrines and other areas previously limited by nationality in Hearts of Iron 2. This was the core problem with the early version(s) of the game as poor coding resulted in even the most advanced computers bogging down until a single month in 1940 would take 30 real time minutes to complete. HOI 3, while entertaining, falls short of being the great World War II strategic wargame for the PC, a fact that becomes evident quickly as a player fires up the game.īeginning in 1936, the game progresses in accelerated real-time at an hourly rate. The issue becomes one of how these parts-all functional and excellent on their own-come together to create a playable game that can satisfy both the historical realist and the alternate history wargamer at the same time. All the parts are there-technology trees, unit organization, internal politics, diplomacy, industrial production, supply and espionage. Hearts of Iron 3 ( HOI 3) is a still-incomplete game, even after the third patch. When I picked up the game in version 1.0 for review, I decided to wait until the first patch or two came out to write this essay, as it is a rare thing indeed for a Paradox game to be ready to go at version 1.0. Hearts of Iron 3, sadly, is not an exception. However, fanboyism aside, I am getting more than a little weary of Paradox products that basically put the onus of beta testing on the consumer.
HEARTS OF IRON 3 SERIES
Consequently, I tend to buy whatever Paradox puts out on the first day its available, complain with the rest of the grognards on the very active Paradox Forums, and wait, like they do, for the inevitable series of patches that ultimately result in a excellent end product. I’m a long-term Paradox junkie, beginning with Europa Universalis I and continuing through the Hearts of Iron series I even adore the much-maligned Victoria. Hearts of Iron 3 is a still-incomplete game, even after the third patch.įirst, a confession. Supply system is confusing and poorly implemented. Heavy system requirements require a fast computer, fast graphics card and lots of memory.
AI still needs tweaking on production, diplomacy and technology to create a historically accurate and balanced simulation. Odd diplomatic processes result in strange alliances and unexpected results that will ruin a game. Unit graphics are passable, and map is easy to read and understand.įailed Basic: Even at version 1.3, game is often buggy and crashes. Industrial production, research and development work well. Passed Inspection: Good strategic level of war with enough operational level to make it fun division-building with mix-and-match brigades is a major step forward in the genre tech tree covers wide breadth of era tech advancement but stays simplistic enough to grasp by most players.
HEARTS OF IRON 3 PC
In-depth diplomatic and political system.Hearts of Iron 3 – PC Game Review By Robert Mackey Realistic military command AI with unprecedented levels of interaction. Thousands of historically accurate real-world military commanders and politicians. A completely new intelligence system makes it possible to get information about enemy reserves and troop movements.Assign troops to theatres on the map to fight two-front wars more successfully. Mobilization and reserves gives the option of surprise attacks. Customize your divisions in detail with more than 20 types of brigades.New economic system makes it possible to buy weapons overseas. Use your air force to defend the skies, support naval and ground forces, and bomb your enemies. Control the oceans with aircraft carriers, submarines and battleships. More than 10,000 land provinces makes this game five times more detailed than Hearts of Iron 2 and the most detailed depiction of World War 2 ever made. Play as any nation from 1936 to1948 with more than 150 countries to choose from.