Most played: The classic Germany & Soviet combo, for me when WW2 is mentioned I think eastern front, and I prefer land combat.
Played a fair amount: France and Italy, I consider them the "underdog majors", I like to build them up to proper major countries overtaking everyone else, also still good focus on land combat.
Rarely played: UK and Japan, too much focus on naval which I only occasionally find fun, UK beginning navy just overwhelms me, some UK paths are fun though.
Least and almost never played: US, did some runs for the achievements and never touched them again, its the common "too boring and OP" excuse, the senate mechanic didn't make up for this imo, historical run is just waiting followed by naval stuff that I don't enjoy, alt-history paths have a civil war that mixes things up, but its not enough to make up for the absolute steamroll you can do after that.
Played a fair amount: France and Italy, I consider them the "underdog majors", I like to build them up to proper major countries overtaking everyone else, also still good focus on land combat.
Rarely played: UK and Japan, too much focus on naval which I only occasionally find fun, UK beginning navy just overwhelms me, some UK paths are fun though.
Least and almost never played: US, did some runs for the achievements and never touched them again, its the common "too boring and OP" excuse, the senate mechanic didn't make up for this imo, historical run is just waiting followed by naval stuff that I don't enjoy, alt-history paths have a civil war that mixes things up, but its not enough to make up for the absolute steamroll you can do after that.