Summary
Developed by Paradox Interactive and released in 2016,Hearts of Iron 4has long captivated fans of the grand strategy genre with its commitment to historical immersion and rich simulated combat. Set against the backdrop of the Second World War,Hearts of Iron 4tasks players with managing domestic politics, military production and procurement, and warfare on land, in the air, and on the oceans.
The game has maintained a consistent player base in the tens of thousands and an active multiplayer scene, testifying to the game’s quality. For those with hundreds of hours already sunk in the game andlooking for something new, it can be difficult to find anything that can scratch that particular itch. These ten games are noteworthy in their own right and worth a look for fans of both the genre and the setting.
Updated August 03, 2025 by Evan Arnoldi:Alongside great 4X games such as Stellaris and Victoria 3, more and more games can be classified as something that players who love Hearts of Iron 4 can play to satiate their craving for strategy games, accompanied by great narrative design and gameplay loop. Some of these games might be tricky to get into, either due to their old lifespan or mechanic complexity. However, players who are willing to try the games will be guaranteed to feel the same satisfaction as when they are playing Hearts of Iron 4.
Moreover, some of these games are also underrated enough to fly under the radar without acclaim due to their niche. Discovering the greats about these games will definitely help a fan of Hearts of Iron 4 fondly remember the game while trying something new and fresh.
Stellaristakes the grand strategy genre to the next level by having the player lead a spacefaring empire to navigate the vast, unknown galaxy with danger lurking on every corner of the galaxy. Ranging from an intricate ship fleet design that can decide the fate of an empire tofinding unique star systemsthat can bring disastrous crises to the galaxy,Stellarisoffers an unforgettable grand strategy experience similar toHearts of Iron 4.
Micromanaging is also essential in the game as mismanagement of resources will have immediate consequences via modifiers penalty. The multiplayer aspect of the game is quite refined as well to accommodate up to 32 players vying for dominance of the galaxy at the same time.
Another game by Paradox Interactive made the list asCrusaders King 3offers a similar sight for fans ofHearts of Iron 4due to its similarity in challenging mechanics and gameplay loop of a grand strategy game. Players of the game will be faced with the task of handling a dynasty and attempting to expand it throughout the realm whileavoiding internal strifethat can lead to the early demise of the empire that they are playing as.
The complexity will be a welcome sight for veteran players ofHearts of Iron 4who find satisfaction in planning and strategizing almost all aspects of the game. All in all, the gameplay loop ofCrusaders King 3will be both a welcoming and comforting sight as players will be placed in a similar seat of a leader, albeit in a different time period.
Similar toHearts of Iron 4,Victoria 3brings the player to the task of leading a country through the tricky Victorian age when colonization and wars were a common sight everywhere around the globe. The player can expect to micromanage almost every aspect of a country, from managing thelivelihood of the citizensto coordinating invasions across hostile country’s territories.
Moreover, the robust multiplayer system of the game allows players to both role-play as a minor power trying to gain a foothold and a min-maxing major power that just tries to “win” the game.
Developed by Eugen Systems, the minds behind the popularWargameseries,Steel Division 2combines real-time combat with hundreds of accurately modeled and simulated units to bring players one of the best World War 2 tactical combat games available today.
Unlike its predecessor,Steel Division 2contains a single-player “Dynamic Strategic Campaign” mode, challenging players to manage resources and units in a turn-based mode that’s a major upgrade from versions previously seen in theWargameseries, with improvements in everything from UX to AI.
Another real-time strategy game,Company of Heroes 3is the long-awaited new installment in the series.Company of Heroes 2was arguably the most popular World War 2 RTS game ever released,with a multiplayer communitythat continues to thrive even after the launch of3,and the new entry seeks to pick up where its predecessor left off.
With major improvements in graphics quality and UX and the addition of new locations and factions,Company of Heroes 3is a must for any new or returning fans of the real-time strategy genre. The high graphical quality of the game matches up well with the well-defined gameplay loop, enabling it to become a quick favorite for veterans ofHearts of Iron 4.
Developed by Flashback Games,Panzer Corps 2takes inspiration from the classicPanzer Generalseries and seeks to modernize that nostalgic formula. Players take turns moving and fighting across a hexagonal grid, either in the extensive single-player campaign or in its PvP mode, using units that have been modeled on their historical namesakes.
Panzer Corps 2brings a fresh and modern take on the classic tabletop war games of the past and is well worth checking out by anyone looking for more of whatHearts Of Iron 4’s combat mechanics give them. The intricate war mechanic will bring nostalgia to any veterans ofHearts Of Iron 4, as mastering the aspect will prove to be satisfactory enough for the player to direct another band of panzers waltzing through the enemy’s territory.
Master The Aspect Of Warfare And Micromanagement
Despite its relatively old lifespan,Men of War: Assault Squad 2brings a thrilling and intense combat simulation that requires heavy micromanagement which will surely pose a challenge to all veterans of grand strategy games, especially one that is familiar withHearts of Iron 4. The real-time aspect of the game challenges the player to think on the fly, as a miscalculation can result in the swift destruction of their squads. Therefore, a constant concentration on all fronts is required to ensure victory in a skirmish inside the game’s landscape.
Aside from its challenging gameplay loop,Men of War: Assault Squad 2also displays a graphic that is surprisingly not dated in recent years. When combined with the intricate and challenging gameplay aspect, the game can quickly become a favorite for veterans who want to find another game that challenges them likeHearts of Iron 4does, especially in terms of warfare.
8Unity Of Command 2
Getting Involved In The Logistics Hell Of A War
Another hexagonal, turn-based strategy game,Unity of Command 2is for those who playedHearts of Ironand thought, “The combat is good, but what’s really great is managing logistics!”. The logistical nightmare that the players face will surely remind them of similar mechanics in grand strategy games, especially inHearts of Iron 4.
Unity of Command 2is known for its challenge and depth in managing the army’s supply and logistics, as well asits commitment to historical accuracy, making it a must for those looking for a more challenging experience outside combat. Players shouldn’t think the combat is subpar, however, as the game brings all the intricacy and nuance of tabletop war gaming to its combat mechanics.
The Great War: Western Frontbrings turn-based strategy and a hexagonal grid system to the trenches of World War 1, with fantastic results.With a focus on historical immersionthat extends from weapon models to the accents of individual units, the game is unique in its realism.
It’s also unique in its real-time battles that give players the opportunity to be both theater commander and field commander, moving seamlessly from turn-based campaign to real-time battle and back. Players who are looking for a change in setting and what mechanical differences it might bring should strongly consider this title.
10Command: Modern Operations
Intricate, Yet Rewarding Modern Warfare Simulator
Another hexagonal grid-based war game,Command: Modern Operationsis a rich and complex modern warfare simulator with a steep learning curve. Those players who commit to mastering its systems will be rewarded, however, as there is perhaps no more mechanically intricate war game available today.
It doesn’t lack visually either, with a global map that’s a composite of hundreds of satellite images, a user interface that’s both complex and intuitive, and unit cards that are images of the real-world weapons system.Command: Modern Operationsis for those looking for a rich and rewarding modern war game.
