Hearts of Iron IV: Graveyard of Empires

The main pros of the game

• New National Focus Trees: The DLC introduces new national focus trees for Iran, India, Iraq, and Afghanistan, which some players found interesting, particularly the British Raj focus tree.
• Historical Presence: The inclusion of mandates and new provinces adds a level of historical context to the Middle East and South Asia.
• Unique Gameplay Mechanics: Some unique paths and mechanics, such as reviving the British East India Company or exploring various ideological options for India, were appreciated.
• Map Improvements: The addition of new provinces improved geographical accuracy in certain areas.

The main cons of the game

• Poor Balance and Bugs: Many users criticized the DLC for being poorly balanced and riddled with bugs, making gameplay frustrating. Some focus trees were described as unplayable or leading to tedious experiences.
• High Price for Low Content: The DLC is seen as overpriced, with many players feeling it should have been a free update or priced significantly lower given the lack of depth and polish.
• Limited Gameplay Options: Players expressed disappointment in the lack of meaningful choices within the new focus trees, with many paths being described as shallow or lacking depth.
• Unfinished Product: Numerous reviews mentioned that the DLC felt rushed and untested, leading to a lack of polish and coherence in gameplay mechanics.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

• More Depth in Focus Trees: Users felt that the focus trees lacked meaningful choices and should have included more branching paths and unique content for the nations involved.
• Improved AI and Diplomacy: There were calls for better AI behavior and diplomatic interactions, as the current system was seen as chaotic and nonsensical.
• Historical Accuracy and Cohesion: Many players wanted a greater emphasis on historical events and a more coherent narrative within the focus trees, especially concerning the political dynamics of the regions.
• Free Starting Content for Non-DLC Players: Users expressed frustration over the lack of starting portraits and content for nations that are included in the DLC but do not have any focus trees, arguing that this content should be accessible to all players.

Summary

• Overall, the consensus among players is that "Graveyard of Empires" fails to meet expectations, offering a subpar experience compared to prior expansions and community mods. Many suggest avoiding the purchase unless it is heavily discounted.

Summary generated on: October 29, 2025