Some years ago when I was still a moderator around these parts, I started these Anthology polls. They were meant to try and honor those AARs and AAR writAARs that started or influenced this place we love so much. We began with Europa Universalis II and the original Hearts of Iron, and then moved into Victoria and Crusader Kings. EU is now on its 4th iteration and HoI is about to do the same so it is high time to do this poll. HoI was a high point in that it brought in a whole new set of players and once they started writing...WOW!
Many people do not recall that at one point the forum as we know it today did not exist. Each game had their own area and there was little interaction. PlayAARs and writAARs were in and amongst their own games and there was little to no cross action between them other than those that wished to venture forth and see what else was out there. In 2004, however, the wise individuals of Paradox decided to give us a truly dedicated area for these wonderful stories we tell and thus, AARland was born and treated immediately to the beautiful cross mingling of all facets of AAR writing. Medieval vs. WWII...gameplay vs. storytelling. In the end, it has become indistinguishable with so many both then and certainly now crossing over between games and just enjoying a good story, and yes...a good game.
Having run these polls before I considered doing it exactly as I did it before but forum tastes and viewing habits over the years, especially during this time, caused me to look just a little bit deeper. While before I looked at the top ten in views and comments, this time I have opened it up to the top fifteen. You would not think it would make a major difference and in truth, it doesn't. But I wanted to try and include as many great AARs as possible while not giving too many to vote for and going beyond the forum poll limit. I expanded the look to the top 15 AARs listed in views and comments and then listed any that landed within the top 25 of both lists. We ended with the limit of poll selections and in my mind, a damn good selection of HoI2 AARs. Here they are:
It is a larger poll than we have been used to but given the amount of work that went into it from all parties, I wanted to be as fair as possible. These are all great works and of course, my criteria has left so many out. I apologize to any and all not listed here and know that if current or future generations don't recall these works, I do as do many others. As I have requested each time, please offer your own recommendations for what should be recalled and remembered.
As with the other polls, this will be an open ended thing lasting as long as the forum exists and you may vote for as many as you like rather than just one. [A mod will come by and helpfully attach the poll when they get the chance.] Over time, this will be moved to the HoI2 AAR subforum and stickied for any newcomer to read and research should they wish. That's why this is called an anthology rather than best or anything other. It is not an award. I hope it to be a good place for future members to see and head off to read said AARs if they are curious about the past or previous works. And once again, please feel free after you voted to offer your own top 15 or more, or at least some AARs that deserve to be considered in such an argument.
Take a look at the offered works and give support to those that inspired you...made you laugh, think or learn better to play the game...or those that tickle you now many years after the fact...give your vote to those AARs that you feel best represent the AARs of Hearts of Iron 2.
I hope you have fun reading these old works and perhaps remembering them if you've been around long enough. If you are a newer member joined since some of these were ended, I hope you enjoy the look back. If anything, I hope those that take the time to look at these AARs enjoy a look back at the history of this forum as each were instrumental in creating the place that we inhabit today and continue to influence us to this day.
Happy reading and perhaps these AARs inspire you to...Write On!
Many people do not recall that at one point the forum as we know it today did not exist. Each game had their own area and there was little interaction. PlayAARs and writAARs were in and amongst their own games and there was little to no cross action between them other than those that wished to venture forth and see what else was out there. In 2004, however, the wise individuals of Paradox decided to give us a truly dedicated area for these wonderful stories we tell and thus, AARland was born and treated immediately to the beautiful cross mingling of all facets of AAR writing. Medieval vs. WWII...gameplay vs. storytelling. In the end, it has become indistinguishable with so many both then and certainly now crossing over between games and just enjoying a good story, and yes...a good game.
Having run these polls before I considered doing it exactly as I did it before but forum tastes and viewing habits over the years, especially during this time, caused me to look just a little bit deeper. While before I looked at the top ten in views and comments, this time I have opened it up to the top fifteen. You would not think it would make a major difference and in truth, it doesn't. But I wanted to try and include as many great AARs as possible while not giving too many to vote for and going beyond the forum poll limit. I expanded the look to the top 15 AARs listed in views and comments and then listed any that landed within the top 25 of both lists. We ended with the limit of poll selections and in my mind, a damn good selection of HoI2 AARs. Here they are:
Democracy's Last Legs: A US - UK DAIM AAR
{LD}Firestorm
Crossfires, a French AAR for HoI2 Doomsday
Atlantic Friend
The Game (a German Mod-34 AAR)
blue emu
The Third Empire - An Imperial France AAR
cthulhu
For King and Country
Draco Rexus
The Butterfly Effect: A British AAR
El Pip
First UK Co-operative AAR!
Formula51
Return to Glory: A Germania AAR
Hardraade
"How the heck do you play this game?!" A simple tutorial AAR
Ironhead 5
Rebirth of the Japanese Empire: A Japan MDS 1.6 AAR
Kaiser_Mobius
Kapituliren? Niemals!
kami888
Fatherland - Deutschland über alles
Kanitatlan
The Prisoners of Silence - NSDAP 1936-1991 (History and background)
Karelian
Nation Shall Rise Against Nation, and Kingdom against Kingdom
King of Men
Soviet Union AAR - The Bloody Road to Berlin
Klaipedietis
The King's First Minister - a UK AAR
Le Jones
"The Cobras are Smoking!" : a tale of Brazil
LM+
The Presidents: The Vietnam War Edition
Nathan Madien
The Setting Sun - Gotterdammerung, Japan 1944.
Remble
WIELKOPOLSKA - Rise of the White Eagle - A Polish AAR
robw963
Empire of Fu Manchu
The Yogi
Weltkriegschaft
TheHyphenated1
Against all Odds: The British Empire in World War Two
trekaddict
The Channel Pact - Germany&UK Coop AAR
TRP
Baltijas Republika - A Doomsday AAR
Von Uber
{LD}Firestorm
Crossfires, a French AAR for HoI2 Doomsday
Atlantic Friend
The Game (a German Mod-34 AAR)
blue emu
The Third Empire - An Imperial France AAR
cthulhu
For King and Country
Draco Rexus
The Butterfly Effect: A British AAR
El Pip
First UK Co-operative AAR!
Formula51
Return to Glory: A Germania AAR
Hardraade
"How the heck do you play this game?!" A simple tutorial AAR
Ironhead 5
Rebirth of the Japanese Empire: A Japan MDS 1.6 AAR
Kaiser_Mobius
Kapituliren? Niemals!
kami888
Fatherland - Deutschland über alles
Kanitatlan
The Prisoners of Silence - NSDAP 1936-1991 (History and background)
Karelian
Nation Shall Rise Against Nation, and Kingdom against Kingdom
King of Men
Soviet Union AAR - The Bloody Road to Berlin
Klaipedietis
The King's First Minister - a UK AAR
Le Jones
"The Cobras are Smoking!" : a tale of Brazil
LM+
The Presidents: The Vietnam War Edition
Nathan Madien
The Setting Sun - Gotterdammerung, Japan 1944.
Remble
WIELKOPOLSKA - Rise of the White Eagle - A Polish AAR
robw963
Empire of Fu Manchu
The Yogi
Weltkriegschaft
TheHyphenated1
Against all Odds: The British Empire in World War Two
trekaddict
The Channel Pact - Germany&UK Coop AAR
TRP
Baltijas Republika - A Doomsday AAR
Von Uber
It is a larger poll than we have been used to but given the amount of work that went into it from all parties, I wanted to be as fair as possible. These are all great works and of course, my criteria has left so many out. I apologize to any and all not listed here and know that if current or future generations don't recall these works, I do as do many others. As I have requested each time, please offer your own recommendations for what should be recalled and remembered.
As with the other polls, this will be an open ended thing lasting as long as the forum exists and you may vote for as many as you like rather than just one. [A mod will come by and helpfully attach the poll when they get the chance.] Over time, this will be moved to the HoI2 AAR subforum and stickied for any newcomer to read and research should they wish. That's why this is called an anthology rather than best or anything other. It is not an award. I hope it to be a good place for future members to see and head off to read said AARs if they are curious about the past or previous works. And once again, please feel free after you voted to offer your own top 15 or more, or at least some AARs that deserve to be considered in such an argument.
Take a look at the offered works and give support to those that inspired you...made you laugh, think or learn better to play the game...or those that tickle you now many years after the fact...give your vote to those AARs that you feel best represent the AARs of Hearts of Iron 2.
I hope you have fun reading these old works and perhaps remembering them if you've been around long enough. If you are a newer member joined since some of these were ended, I hope you enjoy the look back. If anything, I hope those that take the time to look at these AARs enjoy a look back at the history of this forum as each were instrumental in creating the place that we inhabit today and continue to influence us to this day.
Happy reading and perhaps these AARs inspire you to...Write On!