Darkest Hour: A Hearts of Iron Game
Released Apr 2011
Developed by a team of experienced modders from the Paradox forum, Darkest Hour is a stand-alone Hearts of Iron game. The game features a mixture of short and in-depth campaigns set across the darkest chapters of the 20th century. Play from the outbreak of the Great War up until the onset of the Cold War.
87% positive · 2,162 reviews
Not yet
Released, content planned but development status unclear
Low confidence
Content Planned
Development Uncertain
Not yet
Released, content planned but development status unclear
Low confidence
Content Planned
Development Uncertain
Where to buy
Steam $9.99
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Evaluation
Darkest Hour launched on April 8, 2011 and has been maintained by a volunteer developer team ever since, receiving a series of substantial patches over the years: Patch 1.03 (January 7, 2014), Patch 1.04 (September 20, 2015), Patch 1.05 (December 3, 2017), and Patch 1.05.2 (April 10, 2024). Each release brought meaningful additions — new scenarios, event chains, AI improvements, and gameplay mechanics — alongside bug fixes.
On April 10, 2024, the Patch 1.05.2 release notes explicitly stated: "We are working on new content and features for Patch 1.06, but as of now we don't have a timeline." The following day, April 11, 2024, the team published Dev Diary #36 on the Paradox forum, detailing the scripted content planned for Patch 1.06. This is a clear developer commitment to future content.
However, no further communication of any kind has appeared on Steam since April 11, 2024 — a silence of over two and a half years as of October 8, 2026. The volunteer team's historical update pace has never been fast (major patches came years apart), but they have previously maintained some level of forum and Steam communication between releases. The combination of an explicit Patch 1.06 commitment with no follow-up over such an extended period introduces genuine uncertainty about whether that patch is still progressing or whether the project has quietly stalled.
Evidence
Dev Diary #36 published on the Paradox forum detailing scripted content planned for Patch 1.06.
Last official Steam communication from the developer. No posts have appeared since April 11, 2024, a silence of over two and a half years as of October 2026.
Media
Details
Developer
Publisher
Paradox Interactive
Achievements
—
Platform
Windows
Controller
—
Steam Deck
Unsupported
Players
Single-player · Multiplayer
About this game
Developed by a team of experienced modders from the Paradox forum, Darkest Hour is a stand-alone Hearts of Iron game. The game features a mixture of short and in-depth campaigns set across the darkest chapters of the 20th century. Play from the outbreak of the Great War up until the onset of the Cold War.
Darkest Hour will introduce a new artificial intelligence that is now able to react to hundreds of different situations simultaneously. It implements a dynamic diplomatic system that will allow the player to have a real impact on the course of history.
Darkest Hour will introduce a new artificial intelligence that is now able to react to hundreds of different situations simultaneously. It implements a dynamic diplomatic system that will allow the player to have a real impact on the course of history.
Key Features:
- Short and grand campaigns allow players to experience the darkest hours of the 20th century, from the Great War to the onset of the Cold War
- New map, redesigned to offer greater detail as well as strategic and tactical opportunities
- Dynamic diplomatic system giving the player greater influence on the course of events
- New artificial intelligence capable of reacting to hundreds of different situations
Scenarios:
Grand campaign scenarios (where it is possible to choose any of the nations involved):- 1914 The Great War (starting on June 27, 1914)
- 1933 Day of Decision (starting on March 4, 1933)
- 1936 The Road to Another War (starting on January 1, 1936)
- 1939 Invasion of Poland (starting on September 1, 1939)
- 1940 Burning Europe (starting on May 10, 1940)
- 1941 Awakening the Giant (starting on June 22, 1941)
- 1942 Enemy at the Gate (starting on November 22, 1942)
- 1943 Allied Invasion of Sicily (starting on July 26, 1943)
- 1944 Allied Landing in Normandy (starting on June 20, 1944)
- 1945 Battle of the Bulge (starting on December 16, 1944)
- 1904 Russo-Japanese War
- 1939 Invasion of Poland
Are these done yet?
Last evaluated Oct 8, 2026
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