Similar Games

[ToothpasteMain]

What are some games that provide a similar gameplay experience to HoI4 without the massive depth and learning curve?

I enjoy watching people play this game, but I can't get into it myself because there are so many layers. I know Civ exists, but the combat in that game doesn't compare to HoI4

[drewbstar]

How do you feel about other Paradox games like Stellaris or EU4?

[ToothpasteMain]

Originally posted by drewbstar:

How do you feel about other Paradox games like Stellaris or EU4?

I like Stellaris, but that game also has a lot of micromanaging that gets annoying in the late game. I've never playd EU4 or any of the games in the series.

[mk11]

What do you need for it to be similar?

If you want WW2 while world games then Strategic Command and Making History are two series that offer turn-based versions. I am not aware of any other continuous time WW2 games.

Strategic Command is the better game but it doesn't match the HOI IV experience in that the AI is moderately competent.

[Crazed Possum]

Originally posted by ToothpasteMain:

What are some games that provide a similar gameplay experience to HoI4 without the massive depth and learning curve?

I enjoy watching people play this game, but I can't get into it myself because there are so many layers. I know Civ exists, but the combat in that game doesn't compare to HoI4

You may like the game ....

Commander: The Great War

[JustWowMan]

Learn the game. Don't mean to sound like that guy lol, but this is a first hand account from someone who learned the game this past month.

My timeline into HoI4:

0hrs - 10hrs: Played the tutorial about 5 different times trying to understand every little detail to no avail. Do not, I repeat, do not follow this step. (Actually put the game down for over a year at this point and picked it back up start of January)

10-18hrs: Replayed the tutorial with multiple YT videos behind me and felt slightly confident I can begin a real game.

18-25hrs: Multiple attempts at a Germany playthrough as I am finally figuring out the ropes. (I COULD NOT invade Ireland for the life of me in these playthroughs. Why? WHY!?!)

25-30hrs: Jump back on YT to figure out the miniscule details preventing me from doing what would be some of the most easiest tasks in HoI4.

30-145hrs+: As I am still learning the game and don't think I will ever stop, the basics finally made sense to me after about 30hrs. Literally, it took a good 30 hours before I even felt like I knew how to actually play the game.

Learn the game, you will be glad you did. It was indeed a struggle and no other game has put me through the learning curve like HoI4, but man, I am so glad I took the time to learn it.

[ToothpasteMain]

Originally posted by JustWowMan:

Learn the game. Don't mean to sound like that guy lol, but this is a first hand account from someone who learned the game this past month.

...

Learn the game, you will be glad you did. It was indeed a struggle and no other game has put me through the learning curve like HoI4, but man, I am so glad I took the time to learn it.

I'm not saying I'm not up to learning the game. But sometimes I don't want to play a game that has me playing 5d chess. For example, Tom Clancy's End War has the simple rock-paper-scissors mechanics of units with only one other resource: a unit's own experience. But it's gameplay and flow vastly different than HoI4

[British Dragon 14]

I thought Digital Combat Simulator World had a very steep learning curve until I tried playing this!
I don't know of any strategy game that is this complicated for beginners. This can be a good thing, as it filters out undesirables. Making the online experience more mature. Almost like an IQ test.
I've literally just started to play this and it keeps telling me I need spanners to build something but I can't find any spanner icons that I am producing. I think it means industrial building strength maybe, or workforce? Civilian or Military buildings? I have no idea!

I am only five months in as Germany (the easiest country to start with apparently), still in 1936. June or July if I remember correctly. I would prefer to play as the United Kingdom but it is spread throughout the world map and it looks to be more navy focused, maybe.
I am a patient man. But this game does seem overwhelming. I like a challenge and I guess just learning the basics will be rewarding in itself.

I am just going to watch YouTube videos and go back and forth with my play through. I now know one of the reasons why people rack up so many hours into this game. Maybe because it is always open in a window on their PC, like me.

[wildlifeluvr]

Originally posted by ToothpasteMain:

I enjoy watching people play this game, but I can't get into it myself because there are so many layers.

Well then, learn the layers.

I was totally lost when I first started, Because I had the desire to learn the game, I kept exploring for answers to my questions.

Complex games are awesome once you grasp how to play. Once you know how to play, you will get better and better thus even more fun.

If you don't find a deep, complex game a blast, and/or you are unwilling to learn the game, then HOI IV and some other challenging games are not for you.

Although I am not an expert in HOI IV, I want the updates in the future to make the game even more complex.

Again, each to their own, and if that is not your thing, then the game is not for you.

[gmsh1964]

Yeah man, I am not very smart - but HOI 4 is definitely worth figuring out. There is no game like it, it is the best. And with the mods, you can play forever. Make sure you get all the DLCs.

Try Italy. Hang out in Africa, attack Southern France when Germany goes in, and help in Russia if you can. Its a low stress country. And be patient and read the the UI., HOI4 has the best UI in the business.

[Bored Peon]

Originally posted by JustWowMan:

Learn the game. Don't mean to sound like that guy lol, but this is a first hand account from someone who learned the game this past month.

My timeline into HoI4:

0hrs - 10hrs: Played the tutorial about 5 different times trying to understand every little detail to no avail. Do not, I repeat, do not follow this step. (Actually put the game down for over a year at this point and picked it back up start of January)

10-18hrs: Replayed the tutorial with multiple YT videos behind me and felt slightly confident I can begin a real game.

18-25hrs: Multiple attempts at a Germany playthrough as I am finally figuring out the ropes. (I COULD NOT invade Ireland for the life of me in these playthroughs. Why? WHY!?!)

25-30hrs: Jump back on YT to figure out the miniscule details preventing me from doing what would be some of the most easiest tasks in HoI4.

30-145hrs+: As I am still learning the game and don't think I will ever stop, the basics finally made sense to me after about 30hrs. Literally, it took a good 30 hours before I even felt like I knew how to actually play the game.

Learn the game, you will be glad you did. It was indeed a struggle and no other game has put me through the learning curve like HoI4, but man, I am so glad I took the time to learn it.

Even then that does not even cover playing the different countries and how things go. For example, Yugoslavia is actually pretty rough because you have so many neighbors that can flip on you.

[HandsomeJack]

you can try this demo: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2298690/Realpolitiks_3_Earth_and_Beyond/

[SalzStange]

Fiktoria 3 is also nice and it's getting better year by year

[Zack]

Originally posted by British Dragon 14:

I thought Digital Combat Simulator World had a very steep learning curve until I tried playing this!
I don't know of any strategy game that is this complicated for beginners. This can be a good thing, as it filters out undesirables. Making the online experience more mature. Almost like an IQ test.
I've literally just started to play this and it keeps telling me I need spanners to build something but I can't find any spanner icons that I am producing. I think it means industrial building strength maybe, or workforce? Civilian or Military buildings? I have no idea!

I am only five months in as Germany (the easiest country to start with apparently), still in 1936. June or July if I remember correctly. I would prefer to play as the United Kingdom but it is spread throughout the world map and it looks to be more navy focused, maybe.
I am a patient man. But this game does seem overwhelming. I like a challenge and I guess just learning the basics will be rewarding in itself.

I am just going to watch YouTube videos and go back and forth with my play through. I now know one of the reasons why people rack up so many hours into this game. Maybe because it is always open in a window on their PC, like me.

You are an incredibly disgusting individual to be saying such things.

[trooperrob]

I would start as Germany in 1939.
Look at the industry, and the amount / makeup of units.
The attack on Poland starts immediately. - win that, then do it again until you are comfortable. you can try taking on France afterwards, but will probably lose that a few times. - don't get disheartened.

Once happy, start in 1936 and learn the economy side, until you can crush Poland etc.

Attacking Poland - Make sure you use Generals, Field Marshals and your air force.
stop the game, and look at the combat stats to see where the buffs / debuffs come in.
Especially - air terrain and supply bonuses.

That will give you an idea of how many factories, planes and divisions you should aim for when you start from 1936.

[Biggs]

i actually uninstalled this game and demanded refund when i got the game first, then i decided to give it another chance so i canceled my refund application and watched a ton of videos on how to play it and eventually i learned some of it by reading every tiny tooltip and note and now the calculating of various buffs and 3d chess appeals to me, 2000 hours now