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Expansion - Hearts of Iron IV: Man the Guns
DLC
(released 6 years ago)
Paradox Development Studio
Paradox Interactive
TL;DR

It is a naval-focused expansion for the strategy game Hearts of Iron IV, set during World War II. Players can design ships, alter convoy routes, and navigate alternate history paths. It's like a game of naval chess, but with more torpedoes and fewer pawns.

View on Steam
Genres:
Grand Strategy
Simulation
War
Tags:
Strategy
Simulation
War
Grand Strategy
Multiplayer
Singleplayer
Historical
World War II
Alternate History
Naval
Likely Inspirations:
Battleship: The Game
Command: Modern Operations
Naval Action
Total War: Naval Battles
World of Warships
Steam Review Analysis – Total (updated Jun 25, 2025, 3:28 AM)
Disclaimer: This analysis is independently conducted and is not affiliated with Valve or Steam.
Review Summary - 2,381
50%
Mixed

962

865

77%

Purchased on Steam

235

319

23%

Purchased Elsewhere

0% Primarily Play on Deck

Conclusion

The reviews for 'Man the Guns' reflect a divided sentiment among players, with many praising the improvements to naval combat, focus trees, and ship customization, while significant criticism is directed at the high price, AI issues, and the complexity of the new systems. Overall, the DLC enhances certain aspects of gameplay but introduces notable frustrations, particularly regarding micromanagement and user interface challenges.

Strongly Positive
Positive
Naval Combat Improvements

Many players appreciate the enhancements made to naval combat, making it more engaging and realistic.

~8%
Focus Trees

The new focus trees for various nations, particularly Mexico and the UK, are seen as a positive addition, providing more strategic options.

~6%
Ship Customization

Players enjoy the ability to customize ships, adding depth to naval strategy.

~2%
Realism in Ship Production

The limitations on ship production are appreciated for reflecting historical naval capabilities.

~1%
Neutral / Mixed Opinions
Mixed Feelings on Fuel System

While some players find the fuel system adds complexity, others feel it complicates gameplay unnecessarily.

~3%
Negative
High Price Point

Many reviews express that the DLC is overpriced for the content provided.

~8%
AI Issues

Players frequently mention problems with AI behavior, particularly in naval operations.

~3%
Strongly Negative
Complexity and Micromanagement

The new naval system is criticized for being overly complex and requiring excessive micromanagement.

~6%
Unfinished Features

Several reviews highlight that certain features feel unfinished or poorly implemented.

~3%
User Interface Issues

The user interface for managing fleets is often described as unintuitive and confusing.

~2%
This analysis is powered by OpenAI’s language models and may occasionally contain inaccuracies. For the most precise details, please consult the reviews directly on the official Steam store page.

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Expansion - Hearts of Iron IV: Man the Guns Analysis on Niklas Notes