Hearts of Iron 4 is, without a doubt, the best strategy game I've played. It strikes a perfect balance between complexity and accessibility, making it easy to understand and simple to get into, even for those new to the grand strategy genre. The game’s interface is clean and intuitive, and the visuals are both detailed and aesthetically pleasing, enhancing the overall experience.

One of the standout aspects of Hearts of Iron 4 is its vibrant modding community. The variety and creativity in the mods available are incredible, ranging from alternate history scenarios to humorous and meme-filled content. These mods add endless replayability and allow players to explore "what if" scenarios that bring a fresh twist to the game’s World War II setting.

A great feature in Hearts of Iron 4 is the ability to enjoy all the DLC content if one of your friends, who owns all the DLC, hosts the game. This means you can experience everything the game has to offer without having to purchase every piece of DLC yourself. However, the downside is the pricing of the DLCs, which can be quite high. If you're on the fence about buying them, I recommend watching some YouTube videos to determine which DLCs are worth purchasing. Alternatively, you can mod the game to capture those DLC vibes without spending extra money.

Whether you’re a history buff or just enjoy strategy games, Hearts of Iron 4 offers a deep, engaging experience that’s both challenging and rewarding. The focus on World War II allows for a wide range of strategic possibilities, from leading major powers to victory to exploring the outcomes of smaller nations in this pivotal era.

I highly recommend Hearts of Iron 4 to anyone who loves strategy games, especially those with a focus on World War II. Dive in, explore the countless possibilities, and most importantly, have fun!

Project Wingman is an absolute must-play, especially if you’re a fan of the Ace Combat franchise. This game is a true love letter to the Ace Combat series, and it delivers an experience that’s on par with the best that Ace Combat has to offer. If you’re into flight action games, this one is 100% worth the full price, and it’s an absolute steal at just $25.

From the moment you dive into Project Wingman, it’s clear that the small development team poured their hearts into this game. Despite being developed by just three people, the game punches well above its weight, delivering a polished experience where it matters most. Sure, there are a few rough edges—some technical aspects that betray the tiny size of the dev team—but those are easy to overlook when you’re immersed in the sheer joy that this game brings. The music, composed by the talented José Pavli, is nothing short of epic. Pavli, originally from southern France, was inspired by Norihiko Hibino's work on Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty and has crafted a soundtrack that perfectly complements the action and atmosphere of Project Wingman. The characters are memorable and well-written, and the visual flair, from the landscapes to the aircraft designs, is absolutely stunning. These elements come together to create an atmosphere that’s as thrilling as it is nostalgic for Ace Combat fans.

The gameplay in Project Wingman is where it truly shines. This isn’t just another flight combat game; it’s a finely-tuned experience that captures the magic of Ace Combat while adding its own unique twists. The controls, especially for mouse and keyboard players, are fantastic. Having played Ace Combat 4, 5, 0, and 7 with a mouse and keyboard, I can confidently say that Project Wingman offers the most enjoyable experience out of them all. The developers clearly understood what makes air combat fun, and they’ve translated that into gameplay that feels both responsive and exhilarating.

The campaign is an adrenaline rush from start to finish. It’s packed with intense dogfights, large-scale battles, and set pieces that are as visually impressive as they are challenging. The narrative is engaging, drawing you into a world where you’ll find yourself caring about the characters on both sides of the conflict. Friend or foe, the characters are written with depth and personality, making each mission feel meaningful.

And then there’s the music—oh, the music. José Pavli’s work on the soundtrack is so good that I often find myself returning to it long after I’ve finished a play session. Pavli, a graduate of both France's National Video Game and Media School (ENJMIN) and London's National Film and Television School (NFTS), has created a score that not only enhances the game but stands on its own as a powerful piece of work. His music has won him awards like the best original soundtrack at the 2018 Vancouver Film Festival and the 2018 BAFTA Special Jury Prize. The soundtrack perfectly complements the action on screen, enhancing the emotional impact of the game’s most intense moments. It’s one of those soundtracks that you’ll want to listen to on repeat, whether you’re in the cockpit or just going about your day.

Visually, Project Wingman is a feast for the eyes. The game’s art direction is top-notch, with detailed aircraft models, stunning landscapes, and weather effects that make every sortie feel dynamic and immersive. Flying through a storm, dodging enemy fire as lightning crackles around you, is a heart-pounding experience that few games can match. Even with its slightly more arcade-y feel, the game manages to strike a balance that appeals to both hardcore flight sim enthusiasts and those looking for a more accessible experience.

The variety of planes available is impressive, ranging from standard fighters that feel grounded and realistic to prototype planes that push the boundaries into more fantastical territory. The flight mechanics are tight, and while the prototype planes lean more into the arcade side of things, they’re an absolute blast to fly. The game captures the feeling of speed and maneuverability perfectly, making every dogfight a thrilling dance of aerial acrobatics.

One area where Project Wingman truly stands out is in its ability to evoke the same feelings of epic scale and intensity as Ace Combat. The missions are designed with a keen understanding of pacing and flow, ensuring that there’s never a dull moment. The game’s sense of scale is impressive, with massive battles that make you feel like a small part of a much larger conflict. This, combined with the excellent mission variety, keeps the game fresh and exciting from start to finish.

While Project Wingman isn’t perfect, the few areas where it lacks are easily overshadowed by how much the game gets right. The slight arcade feel compared to Ace Combat—especially with the more experimental planes—adds a layer of fun that doesn’t detract from the overall experience. In fact, it adds to the game’s charm, giving it a unique identity that sets it apart from its inspirations.

That said, I’d be really interested to see what this talented team could do with a more realistic approach, even if just for a mission or two. There’s something intriguing about the idea of incorporating more realism into the flight mechanics—things like G-force effects, where pulling too hard might cause a blackout or rip off a wing. It would be fascinating to see Project Wingman explore these elements in a future update or sequel. Still, even without this, the game stands strong as one of the best air combat experiences available on PC.

In the end, Project Wingman has left such a strong impression on me that I keep coming back for more, even without new content updates or expansions like Frontiers. The core gameplay is just that good. There aren’t enough ways to express just how much I love this game, and if you’re on the fence about buying it, just do it. Whether you’re a die-hard Ace Combat fan or just someone who enjoys flight action games, this game is absolutely worth your time and money.

When you hear the thunder and the storm comes, remember this game—it’s one you won’t forget. Thanks for the great game, Project Wingman team!