Linux Review:

Hearts of Iron IV

Victory is at your fingertips! Your ability to lead your nation is your supreme weapon, the strategy game Hearts of Iron IV lets you take command of any nation in World War II; the most engaging conflict in world history.

Hearts of Iron IV

NATIVE SUPPORT


Hearts of Iron IV - Linux Technical Report

Hearts of Iron IV is a grand strategy game where you lead a nation through World War II. Command your forces, manage your economy, and forge alliances to achieve victory.

Status Check:

Hearts of Iron IV features a native Linux version. However, multiple users report improved stability and performance when utilizing Proton.

TWEAKS & TRICKS:

  • Crashing: Constant crashing on native. Solution: Set the game to run in OpenGL via the launcher.
  • Map Rendering Issues: D3D11 rendering can cause map issues. Solution: Switch rendering to D3D9 in the launcher.
  • Terrain Rendering Issues (Visible Edges): Terrain tile edges are visible. Solution: Lower Texture Quality to Medium or Low in the launcher.
  • Performance: Performance is marginally slower than Windows 11, especially with shadows and reflections enabled. Solution: Disable shadows and reflections.
  • Wayland Support: Some users benefit from Wayland support. Solution: PROTON_ENABLE_WAYLAND=1 SDL_VIDEODRIVER=wayland %command%
  • Mod Compatibility: Certain mods (e.g., “The Fire Rises”) are incompatible with the native Linux version. Solution: Use Proton, and change graphics from DirectX to OpenGL in the launcher.

Verdict:

Despite a native Linux version, utilizing Proton often provides a more stable and compatible experience, particularly for modded gameplay. The game is a buy for Linux gamers, but be prepared to use Proton and adjust graphics settings for optimal results.