PCGame

Darkest Hour: A Hearts of Iron Game

Historical grand strategy spanning World War I to the Cold War

Martin Ivanov · Published by Paradox Interactive · Released Apr 8, 2011

Strategy

Reviews
Very Positive
87% of 1,993
Recent reviews
Mixed
66% of 12 in 30 days
Players
64
daily peak, Nov 7, 2026
Steam Deck
Unsupported
Last update on Steam
2 years ago
Apr 11, 2024
Minimum PC
4 MB DirectX-compatible
0.1 GB RAM · 2 GB disk
Full requirements

Metacritic: 81/100 (critic reviews)

What is Darkest Hour: A Hearts of Iron Game?

A map-based historical grand strategy game covering campaigns from the outbreak of World War I to the onset of the Cold War. Choose a nation, manage diplomacy, and direct military operations in grand campaigns or focused battle scenarios, alone or in multiplayer.

For you if...

  • +you enjoy detailed strategy across both world wars
  • +you prefer hands-on control of military operations

Not for you if...

  • −you want automated front lines and minimal micromanagement
  • −you dislike managing diplomacy alongside military operations

What players say

87% of 1,993 reviews are positive · 66% of 12 in the last 30 days

Players praise its strategic depth, range of scenarios, and community mods. A negative review calls it historically rigid and says coordinating attacks can slow the pace.

Players over time

▼ -12% vs a month ago

Players online on Steam, one sample a day.

Highest since Sep 2026: 119 players on Sep 21, 2026.

Show the data
DayPlayers
Nov 7, 202664
Nov 6, 202654
Nov 5, 202650
Nov 4, 202656
Nov 3, 202669
Nov 2, 202662
Nov 1, 202650
Oct 31, 202652
Oct 30, 202655
Oct 29, 202652
Oct 28, 202664
Oct 27, 202650
Oct 27, 202654
Oct 26, 202671
Oct 25, 202672
Oct 24, 202656
Oct 23, 202657
Oct 22, 20260
Oct 21, 202648
Oct 20, 202651
Oct 19, 202663
Oct 18, 202670
Oct 17, 202659
Oct 16, 202654
Oct 15, 202655
Oct 14, 202664
Oct 13, 202661
Oct 12, 202668
Oct 11, 202676
Oct 10, 202669
Oct 9, 202665
Oct 8, 202663
Oct 7, 202666
Oct 6, 202662
Oct 5, 202657
Oct 4, 202686
Oct 3, 202663
Oct 2, 202661
Oct 1, 202657
Sep 30, 202654
Sep 29, 202661
Sep 28, 202655
Sep 27, 202665
Sep 26, 202669
Sep 25, 202670
Sep 24, 202658
Sep 23, 202670
Sep 23, 202674
Sep 22, 202674
Sep 21, 2026119

Screenshots and trailer

Darkest Hour: A Hearts of Iron Game screenshot 1

Darkest Hour: A Hearts of Iron Game system requirements

Minimum: 4 MB DirectX-compatible, 0.1 GB RAM, 2 GB of disk space.

As published by the developer.

Can my PC run Darkest Hour: A Hearts of Iron Game?

Tell us your graphics card once and every game page will answer this for you.

Set up my PC →

Minimum

OS
Windows 98/ ME / 2000 / XP / Vista / 7
Processor
Pentium III 800 MH
Graphics
4 MB DirectX-compatible
Memory
128 MB Ram
Storage
2 GB hard disk space
Notes
Mouse with scroll wheel, keyboard and internet for multiplayer

Does Darkest Hour: A Hearts of Iron Game have co-op or multiplayer?

Yes: multiplayer (mode not specified). It also has a single-player mode.

Does Darkest Hour: A Hearts of Iron Game run on Steam Deck?

Unsupported No: Valve rates it Unsupported on Steam Deck.

  • Not supported on SteamOS

PC version details

DRM
None declared on Steam
Controller
Keyboard and mouse
Platforms
Windows
Steam features
Family Sharing
Languages
Text only: English, German, Spanish - Spain, French, Italian, Polish, Russian.

Does Darkest Hour: A Hearts of Iron Game use AI-generated content?

No AI-generated content is disclosed on the game's Steam page.

Self-reported by the developer under Steam rules: it covers AI content that ships in the game, not tools used to make it. Steam page checked on Nov 7, 2026. How to filter AI games on Steam

Tags

Recent updates

Games like Darkest Hour: A Hearts of Iron Game