Games like Hearts of Iron IV: Why Ikariam is worth a look
If you enjoy Hearts of Iron IV because you like leading a nation, making strategic decisions and planning for the long term, you might also enjoy Ikariam. Ikariam is an ancient strategy building game that you can play directly in your browser – no installation, no purchase price. If you like Hearts of Iron IV, you already have the strategic thinking skills needed.
Important note: Ikariam is not a clone of Hearts of Iron IV. It is a different type of strategy game with a different setting, different pace and different platform approach. That's exactly what makes it interesting as an alternative or supplement.
What makes Hearts of Iron IV special
Hearts of Iron IV is a strategy game by Paradox Development Studio, released in 2016 and published by Paradox Interactive. According to the Steam description, you take command of a nation in the most challenging conflict in world history – the Second World War.
- Genres: Simulation and Strategy
- Game modes: Single-player, multiplayer, co-op, cross-platform multiplayer
- Steam features: Achievements and trading cards
- Setting: Second World War
- Release: 6 June 2016
Hearts of Iron IV is not a free-to-play title and requires a purchase and installation via Steam.
What Ikariam offers
Ikariam is a strategy building game set in ancient times that runs in your browser. Instead of a world war simulation, you'll find islands, raw materials, research and long-term development. The research system is comprehensive and divided into several areas – including the Economy research branch.
Economy Research Branch (excerpt)
In the Economy section, you unlock the following technologies with research points, among others:
| Research Points | Research |
|---|---|
| 12 | Preservation |
| 24 | Block and Tackle |
| 112 | Prosperity |
| 336 | Wine Culture |
| 1,204 | Improved Resource Extraction |
| 2,236 | Geometry |
| 3,672 | Architecture |
| 7,200 | Leisure |
| 10,764 | Culinary Specialities |
| 106,560 | Bureaucracy |
| 241,200 | Utopia |
| 532,800+ | Future of Economy (Levels 1–10) |
Military and maritime elements
- Cooks in the barracks: With the "Culinary Specialities" research, you can train cooks – according to the game description, they boost morale and can also throw themselves into the fray.
- Architect's offices: Via the "Architecture" research, you can build architect's offices, which save marble when constructing buildings.
- Pirate fortress & privateering: In the pirate fortress you can order privateering raids. Shorter raids are more efficient: a 2:30 minute raid brings 115 raiding points and 40 gold, while longer raids provide more total yield but fewer points per time.
- Balloon carrier: A floating fortress with balloons that lets you attack the enemy from the air even at sea. Requirements: War dock level 7 and floating base.
- Sea chart archive: Reduces travel times between islands. Time savings increase with upgrade level and the number of islands visited.
Where Ikariam differs from Hearts of Iron IV
Hearts of Iron IV and Ikariam both appeal to strategy fans, but they are structured very differently. The following differences are factual and result directly from the respective sources:
- Setting: Hearts of Iron IV is set in the Second World War. Ikariam is set in ancient times (e.g. architecture, wine culture, privateering, balloon carriers).
- Platform: Hearts of Iron IV runs via Steam and must be installed. Ikariam runs directly in your browser – no download needed.
- Pricing model: According to Steam, Hearts of Iron IV is not a free-to-play title. Ikariam is freely accessible as a browser game.
- Focus: Hearts of Iron IV is listed as a simulation and strategy game. Ikariam places strong emphasis on long-term development, research (from preservation to "Future of Economy level 10") and island economy.
Comparison table: Hearts of Iron IV vs. Ikariam
| Feature | Hearts of Iron IV | Ikariam |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Steam / Download | Browser, instantly playable |
| Free-to-play | No | Yes |
| Setting | Second World War | Ancient times |
| Genre | Simulation, Strategy | Strategy / Building |
| Multiplayer | Yes (including co-op, cross-platform) | Yes (browser multiplayer world) |
FAQ: Games like Hearts of Iron IV
Is Ikariam a replacement for Hearts of Iron IV?
No, Ikariam is not a direct replacement. Hearts of Iron IV is a world war strategy simulation, Ikariam is a building game set in ancient times. However, both games appeal to players who enjoy planning, researching and making long-term decisions.
Does Ikariam cost anything?
No. Ikariam runs in your browser and is free to play – without purchase or installation, unlike Hearts of Iron IV according to Steam.
Are there military elements in Ikariam?
Yes. Via economy research you can unlock things like cooks for the barracks ("Culinary Specialities"). There are also pirate fortresses with privateering raids and units like the balloon carrier, which requires prerequisites such as war dock level 7.
Are there other browser alternatives?
Yes. If you're interested in strategy in the browser, Kingsage, a medieval strategy game in the browser, might also be worth a look.
Try Ikariam in your browser now
Ikariam is free, runs directly in your browser and requires no installation. If you enjoy Hearts of Iron IV and fancy a different strategy setting – ancient times instead of the Second World War, building and research instead of world war simulation – you can simply start Ikariam and decide for yourself whether the gameplay style suits you.