This game is the prime example of a community game. Although an extensive amount of DLC's plague Paradox in general, the mods are what make there games enjoyable and have high replay ability. They make the game, we make the story, at least that's what they say.

Now, is playing the game for the first time going to be overwhelming? Oh yes, but most grand strategies always have that first experience of, 'What the hell am I doing?'. Hearts of Iron is one of the most chill yet also sweat competitive map games I've ever played. Single Player will start off hard than gradually become easier against AI over the course of playing. Multiplayer, however, is a different circumstance.

Multiplayer in Hearts of Iron IV is rather unfavorable to play when you have less than say a couple hundred hours. It's much better to find a specific group of people willing to play multiplayer that is also not an a**hole. As you'll find in plenty of public lobbies that there is toxicity, rule breaking, and sweat lords. Now if you like competition and going all out, than go join a public lobby. If you're casual, find a group to consistently play with that aren't a bunch of a**holes.

Modding in Hearts of Iron IV is one of the best things about this game. The creativity of the modding community and the commitments that they make to creating a developed mod is insane. Going From Millennium Dawn, Road to 56, to even (although I regret it) Equestria At War, a ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ pony mod. These mods make great additions to game, adding story, lore, mechanics, or overall revamps of the game itself.

10/10 can't touch grass again.

This game is the prime example of a community game. Although an extensive amount of DLC's plague Paradox in general, the mods are what make there games enjoyable and have high replay ability. They make the game, we make the story, at least that's what they say. Now, is playing the game for the first time going to be overwhelming? Oh yes, but most grand strategies always have that first experience of, 'What the hell am I doing?'. Hearts of Iron is one of the most chill yet also sweat competitive map games I've ever played. Single Player will start off hard than gradually become easier against AI over the course of playing. Multiplayer, however, is a different circumstance. Multiplayer in Hearts of Iron IV is rather unfavorable to play when you have less than say a couple hundred hours. It's much better to find a specific group of people willing to play multiplayer that is also not an a**hole. As you'll find in plenty of public lobbies that there is toxicity, rule breaking, and sweat lords. Now if you like competition and going all out, than go join a public lobby. If you're casual, find a group to consistently play with that aren't a bunch of a**holes. Modding in Hearts of Iron IV is one of the best things about this game. The creativity of the modding community and the commitments that they make to creating a developed mod is insane. Going From Millennium Dawn, Road to 56, to even (although I regret it) Equestria At War, a goddamn pony mod. These mods make great additions to game, adding story, lore, mechanics, or overall revamps of the game itself. 10/10 can't touch grass again.