HoI 4 or Stellaris?

[--Yigito123--]

Before saying anything;
I know about the problems both have, and as a person whose seen both HoI3 and EU4 at launch, I am not expecting a masterpiece in the slighest from either, and I don't care since Paradox games always get better later. So no "don't buy either", ok?

That being said, I'm currently kind of torn. I love WW2, and Alternate History, and I like that they're making the gams a lot more flexible than the railroaded mess of an event chain that was HoI3, which draws me towards HoI4.

However, I've always loved playing colonial empires in EU4, and I also always loved making custom nations and scenarios and playing with them, and a lot of Stellaris's core mechanics look fun to me. So, I'm leaving this question to the forum; which one should I get?

(Or rather, which one is more fun right now, since no matter the answer, I'll buy both. I'll just buy the other a month or three later after it's fleshed out and a DLC or two comes out)

 

[zorkman]

Neither.

 

[--Yigito123--]

Neither.

"...so no 'don't buy either', ok?"

Seems like somebody didn't read what I wrote.

 

[Evan05]

I haven't played Stellaris, so I'd have to go with HOI4.

 

[Tormodius]

HOI4 didn't provide any challenge even at highest difficulty, unless you use a mod called "research and division tweak..." which makes the AI kinda strong and more challenge for the player. It's fun then, because of the possibility of being rekkd by the AI. It happened to me - that I lost badly on normal mode, only using this mod.

But I dont have Stellaris yet. I am thinking of buying it. Also i read some posts here where people had problems beating the AI at hard/agressive difficulty, so I guess that means there is some challenge to the game, unlike HOI4. Has Stellaris improved much yet from it's mediocre state at launch, or should I want for the Heinlich patch?

 

[aruon]

i'd say stellaris currently. while it's 1.0 state was somewhat underwhelming (mainly in the midgame) it's gotten much better since then and the upcoming Heinlein patch is going to be a major thing.

and the smaller mods for it are amazing and numerous, with a 20+ active mod list being totally reasonable. HOI 4s mods aren't quite there yet since due to the nature of the game itself, they need more time (total conversions) before 1st release, or aren't as eyecatching.

 

[Axe99]

I've played both, but more of HoI4 - as you say in your post, they're still at the "early post-release" stage, so not like EU4 or CK2, which are well mature now, and still patching up elements of the initial design that worked out wobblier than expected. I think both do a lot of very good and interesting things, and both are worth playing now if you know what you're getting into (a game that's playable and interesting, but still having the rough edges worked out).

Stellaris is definitely more challenging - AI issues and a little bit too much power for the player mean HoI4 can be a bit easy even as a minor unless you restrict yourself in certain ways. That said, I'm a sucker for WW2 and the history of the period, so that's where my focus is. A lot depends what you find fun - if you're looking for a challenge, then Stellaris is the way to go at the moment, but HoI4's gameplay is more complex (more moving parts), and the new production system is great (and I suspect the added complexity of HoI4 is no small reason why they're having more trouble with the AI and difficulty - more moving parts make getting this balanced harder, and both teams look to be quality).

Soundtrack's for both are very good imo as well - I'd probably rate Stellaris' a bit ahead, but enjoy listening to both.

 

[Oliver Twopence]

I have not tried Stellaris.

As stated above: the main problem with HoI4 is the low difficulty. I like the game, it has a lot of good elements, but in the end I would say that a the better strategy game is the one that provides the better challenge. If Stellaris is that game, I would go for it instead.

HoI4 will get there, though. And I am not a part of the mob that is currently running wild on the HoI4 board. It is simply a matter of coming to terms with that, though playing around with the production system and troop compositions is fun, winning the war (as almost any country) is not difficult.

 

[Fawr]

HOI4 has issues with the AI doing dumb things. 90%+ of the time its acting like I'd expect, and then my German allies just pull all (100%) of their forces off the French frontline to look after the eastern front (which is still at peace except for a little war in the Balkans). Otherwise the game is great.

I was a big MOO fan, and I got Stellaris thinking I was getting something similar. However there is something in the pacing which is wrong. The "fastest" speed isn't that fast on my PC (a 1 year old middle of the range PC), and I have to constantly pause it to react to events, which means things like technology seems to take forever (1-4 hours of playtime between techs). I've only just picked it up again to give it another try since the last patch, so things could be a little better now.

 

[jacktimes2]

I'm enjoying Stellaris, especially modded. Am not really interested in HoI4, so I won't comment on it.

 

[Tormodius]

I think im gonna buy Stellaris now! Already have HoI4 and need a break from it.

 

[BurdenedWarrior]

Hoi4! I've played both, but to be honest I am totally biast toward hoi4. The game actually has so much depth for PDX realise game. Only getting better

 

[justin6477]

I'm currently sitting at 45 hours for Stellaris and 156 hours for HoI IV, so I think that says a lot about my opinions. That said, I am actively trying to not get burnt out from playing either, so don't read too much into the numbers.

That being said, Sunflower and Heinlein look like they're going to be incredibly significant updates for their respective games. So, I'd say if it's a one-or-the-other situation for a few months, just hold out until the next set of patches drop and see how their communities react.

 

[No idea]

I have just plyaed HOI IV. I cant say about Stellaris. Regarding HOI IV I would adice you to wait until the game improves, because it needs a lot of improvement.

 

[Aries666]

Having done 100 or so hours in both I would say HOI4. Stellaris at the minute is a bit bland after a couple of playthroughs you have more or less seen it all and it will play out the same each time. HOI4 whilst probably more deficient from an AI perspective will probably give you more bang for you buck right now which considering you plan on buying both is probably the important thing.

Something I would add, similar to one of the posters above I have stopped playing both games because you could easily get fed up with them and never come back, so currently having a CK2 renaissance.

 

[Tormodius]

I just bought Stellaris yesterday, after having played too much HOI4 lately. Stellaris looks so neat and i love it so far. But i havent gotten into the real strategy or big scale warfare yet. Tried combat with pirates and some mission entities, and it seems like they made a cool combat system. So now im just peacefully colonizing a few planets and making some outposts and met two other races. It kinda reminds be a little about Galactic Civilization III which i like the best of all space strategy games. That's a turned based game with many of the same concepts as Stellaris, but with way more into the spaceship design part. I am not expecting this one to be better, but still so cool to play so far

 

[garion132]

i would say Stellaris for the experience of exploring and discovery, as well as the customization, but only for the first few games(without mods), but for you, as you said you would end up with both, HOI IV offers more game-time for your dollar.

 

[RELee]

It is a hard choice. I find both to be fun. A lot of fun.

If you like HOI3 I think you will love the fun game play of HOI4.

If you love 4x space games, then Stellaris is a must have.

Toss a coin.

 

[EU3NOOB]

Either one really. But it depends on what kind of game you want: Sci-fi or historical?

 

[SgtSchmidt11]

I find Stellaris to be slightly better right now, and I have far more faith in Wiz & Co. to fix Stellaris then I do in HOI4's Devs to fix theirs.