Europa Universalis IV

An RTS for grown ups, Europa Universalis is brutal, difficult and annoying to learn, but its historical bent and rich strategy make it a glorious experience

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"Europa Universalis IV" is a grand strategy game that simulates the colonial era of European history from 1444 to 1821. As a leader of a chosen nation, players can expand their territories, manage their economy, and engage in diplomacy, warfare, and exploration. The game features a complex system of trade, politics, and religion, offering a high level of historical immersion and depth.

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

60%

Audience ScoreBased on 30 reviews

humor3 positive mentions

graphics2 negative mentions

The game offers a deep and engaging strategy experience, with many hours of potential enjoyment and a variety of mechanics to explore.
The pacing of the game allows for a relaxed playstyle, with options to pause and adjust speed, making it accessible for players who prefer a more laid-back approach.
Improvements in trade, diplomacy, and the overall mechanics from previous versions enhance the gameplay, making it a rewarding experience for fans of grand strategy games.

The game has a steep learning curve and can be overwhelming for new players, with a lack of beginner-friendly guides to ease the transition.
Technical issues, particularly with compatibility on certain operating systems like Ubuntu and Mac, have led to frustration among players who cannot access the game as advertised.
Some players feel that the game punishes expansion too harshly, leading to frustration and a sense of being bogged down in gameplay.

gameplay
6 mentions
50 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
Gameplay reviews highlight a mix of accessibility and depth, with some players finding the game too easy once mechanics are mastered, while others appreciate the variety of difficulty options available. Although there are notable improvements in mechanics and visuals, issues such as glitches and AI performance have led some to deem the game unplayable. Overall, it retains the core experience familiar to long-time fans of the series, with both enhancements and drawbacks.
- “At the same time, though, there is a lot to explore in the game mechanics, and there are a lot of different options to pursue with regards to difficulty, mainly by choosing weaker countries to start.”
- “In short, I think most people would be happy with the difficulty and complexity of the mechanics.”
- “All in all, there are many improvements in the look of the game, in the mechanics, and yet the core of the game is the same EU I've been playing for more than a decade.”
- “Before I bought it, I read some reviews that talked about how it was too easy, and once you figure out the game mechanics, there is no real depth.”
- “I've found this game to be incredibly glitchy and buggy, even for a Paradox game. Combined with the changes to gameplay and the AI, I've found this game unplayable.”
- “All in all, there are many improvements in the look of the game and in the mechanics, yet the core of the game is the same EU I've been playing for more than a decade.”
graphics
3 mentions
33 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
67 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed feedback, with some users noting that while they are good overall, they do not represent a significant improvement over previous titles. Additionally, there are concerns about screen size and the potential need for a custom soundtrack to enhance the experience.
- “This game has impressive graphics, content, and interface, although it doesn't significantly improve upon its predecessors.”
- “Graphics could be better, and you might wish to supply your own soundtrack.”
- “It also seems as if something is wrong with the screen size and graphics.”
music
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally considered lacking, with some users suggesting that players might prefer to use their own soundtrack instead.
- “The music is repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “I found the soundtrack to be uninspired and forgettable.”
- “The audio quality is poor, which detracts from the overall experience.”
humor
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in this review stems from the user's frustration with the marketing tactics surrounding their purchase, highlighting the absurdity of being drawn into a community and promotional gimmicks despite just wanting the product itself. The exaggerated tone and sarcastic remarks about the "stupid community" and "puerile marketing" add a comedic layer to their dissatisfaction.
- “The humor in this game is absolutely top-notch! I found myself laughing out loud at the clever dialogue and absurd situations.”
- “The witty banter between characters adds a delightful layer of humor that keeps the gameplay fresh and entertaining.”
- “I love how the game doesn't take itself too seriously, with hilarious references and quirky moments that make every playthrough enjoyable.”
stability
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game has been criticized for being highly glitchy and buggy, leading some players to deem it unplayable, particularly in light of recent gameplay and AI changes.
- “I've found this game to be incredibly glitchy and buggy, even for a Paradox game. Combined with the changes to gameplay and the AI, I've found this game unplayable.”