Complexity...

[Headless_Ned]

Hi all,
Where will this sit in the complexity spectrum? Currently loving Stellaris but I found the vanilla EU4 to be a bit of a struggle. Only really played as Castille (new player friendly faction?), but I kept getting destroyed.
Thanks

 

[Henry 43]

I believe the HoI series has always been considered the most complex one of all the Paradox games. But, compared to previous HoI games(especially 3) HoI4 seems to be the easiest one to get into. All in all, its pretty up there on the spectrum.

 

[auraxiannc]

It's complex, but in more of a management sense than the micromanagement of units as in HOI3. For pure interface alone I'd put it at Complex Concepts, Easy use.

 

[JakeCourtney]

I love me some complexity.

 

[gmgriffith]

auraxiannc Put it very well. From all the www streams and whatnot the game looks like the interface is very intuitive and understandable. Combat is moderately complex on the stats sense but fairly logical (penalties across rivers, various bonuses or maluses etc) and easy to execute, big picture will require some significant conceptual understanding and planning to really be successful.

 

[Denkt]

It is a pretty simple game is you break it down to its components. Like all units have a clear defined role and the doctrine have clear strengths.

 

[Axe99]

HoI is, by it's nature, a relatively complex game. However, if you're familiar with a bit of WW2, that's likely to help you get your head around things (as it's enough of a simulation, that generally doing what worked during the war will help ease your way into it) - I also found EU harder than HoI, just because I was less familiar with the history. HoI4's interface and structure is a huge step forward from HoI3 though, and I'd bet that if you're interested in a WW2 grand-strategy game, once you've got your head around it you're likely to enjoy it.

That said, I'd say the best thing to do would be to watch some of the recent WWWs, and a few vids after release, and see what you think of it there. If you can follow the streams after watching a few (and choose streams that'll talk you through things - most of the WWWs will probably be a little quick if you haven't been reading the DDs - best to wait until after launch and Arumba, Quill & Co have stuff out), you'll have an idea if it's for you or not .

 

[Maizel]

If you find the complexity in EU IV a bit too much too enjoy, I doubt you will enjoy HOI4 much, from that standpoint.

Though, it is probably less 'complex than HoI3, and has less 'hidden' stats.

 

[Bridger15]

I believe that HOI4 can seem intimidating, but it's not un-intuitive, and should be accessible to anyone who puts in a few hours to learn it (after which you reap many dozens of hours of enjoyment, like most PDX games).

There will no doubt be many tutorial videos specifically to help new people play the game. I've put together a Pre-Release guide to help people learn about the game and get them a jump-start when going into the tutorial. Hope that helps

 

[Mivo]

I feel that the release of a new Paradox game is also the best time to learn it, before expansions add new layers of complexity, so if the setting interests you, June 6 will be a good time to jump in. Lots of other new players, too.