Victoria II

75%
Game Brain Score Based on 8,867 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • music
Victoria II Game Cover
Its charming, but minor annoyances keep Paradoxs most polished release from reaching world domination.
Starting at $3.15Buy now
Get on Steam

Victoria II is a grand strategy game that simulates the politics, economics, and military conflicts of the Victorian era from 1836 to 1936. Players can choose from over 200 countries and manage their population, industry, and research to expand their empire and compete with other nations. The game features dynamic events, complex diplomacy, and detailed economic systems, providing a challenging and immersive experience for strategy enthusiasts.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Linux
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

75%
Audience ScoreBased on 8,867 reviews
gameplay171 positive mentions
stability48 negative mentions
  • gameplay570 mentions

    The gameplay of Victoria II is characterized by its deep and intricate mechanics, particularly in economics, population management, and military strategy, which can be both rewarding and overwhelming for players. While the game has a steep learning curve and some dated UI elements, many players find it engaging and immersive once they grasp the mechanics, leading to hours of replayability. However, the game is often criticized for its opaque mechanics and reliance on DLCs for a complete experience, which can detract from the overall enjoyment.

    • “Once you're familiar with the mechanics, it truly feels like the sky's the limit.”
    • “The gameplay is a shining achievement of grand strategy as a genre, and everything from province development to intricate diplomacy and the deeply complex and as of yet unmatched economic system puts Victoria 2 head and shoulders above other games of a similar type.”
    • “This game actively obscured any attempt I made to interact with its mechanics.”
    • “The economic mechanics are the obvious star of the show, far better than any other paradox game I've played.”
    • “The complexity is ruined by clunky mechanics.”
  • graphics159 mentions

    The graphics of Victoria II are widely regarded as outdated, reflecting its age as a 2010 release, with many users noting that they are simplistic and lack modern polish. Despite this, the visuals are often deemed sufficient for conveying gameplay mechanics, and the game's depth and complexity in simulation overshadow its graphical shortcomings. An active modding community also helps enhance the visual experience, making the game enjoyable for those who prioritize gameplay over aesthetics.

    • “While visuals may show their age, an active modding community breathes new life into this historical epic.”
    • “The graphics may not have held up to modern game standards but if that doesn't bother you, it's fun.”
    • “The game offers some pleasant graphics and really vibrant colors, although some ugly glitches here and there, it is pleasant all the same.”
    • “The graphics feel pretty dated, but to be fair, the game is pretty old.”
    • “The only downside to this game is the outdated graphics and the UI which is a result of its age.”
    • “This game definitely shows its age with the aging graphics and the overall instability of the game; I encountered the occasional crash, typically when tabbing out.”
  • music93 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its beautiful orchestral compositions that effectively enhance the immersive experience and evoke the Victorian era's atmosphere. While many players find the soundtrack to be memorable and fitting, some note that it can become repetitive over extended play sessions. Overall, the music is considered a significant strength of the game, contributing to its enjoyment and emotional depth.

    • “The game's fitting soundtrack adds to the overall atmosphere and really helps to transport you back in time.”
    • “The fantastic soundtrack also helps to immerse you in the experience, an underrated element of paradox games.”
    • “The music is amazing, and the atmosphere fits the covered period perfectly.”
    • “The only problem I have with it is that Paradox needs to fix the music (audio) because it glitches out.”
    • “Unfortunately, the soundtrack is nothing special and sounds lackluster and slightly derivative.”
    • “The one thing I’ve found lacking so far is the soundtrack - even only playing through the tutorial, I’ve listened to some of the individual tracks play two or three times already, let alone in the 20 or 30 hours you’ll be playing the game for.”
  • replayability78 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players praising its depth and variety, allowing for countless hours of gameplay across different nations and scenarios. While some users note limitations in replay value after multiple campaigns, the availability of mods significantly enhances the experience, offering nearly infinite replayability for those willing to explore community content. Overall, the game is regarded as highly replayable, especially for fans of grand strategy and historical simulation.

    • “Really fun game once you get the hang of it, and if you ever get bored of the base vanilla content, there's so much creative and fun community mods that gives the game infinite replayability.”
    • “The randomness and historical events of the game ensure replayability, and the diplomatic options are so widespread anything can happen!”
    • “The freedom allowed in Victoria 2 gives such an amazing replay value as it will be rare things happen the same way twice, this is further benefited from the sheer number of nations that are playable.”
    • “I could go on and on, but worse, it looks like the replayability is limited.”
    • “Best Paradox game out there but it doesn't really have a lot of replayability value; after you've done a campaign with 8/9 countries, everything feels a bit dull, even with mods.”
    • “It's ok, very little replay value... gets kind of boring around the 800 hour mark.”
  • stability52 mentions

    The game is widely criticized for its numerous bugs and glitches, which significantly impact stability and overall gameplay experience. Many players report crashes, UI issues, and a lack of polish, particularly in the base version without expansions. Despite these problems, some users still find the game enjoyable and recommend it, especially with the use of mods or expansions to mitigate the bugs.

    • “The game runs great on any computer, and I would definitely recommend it to any grand strategy player.”
    • “A golden oldie that runs great on lesser machines.”
    • “This game is a wonderful paradox game with little to no glitches.”
    • “The game is almost impossible to learn, and very buggy.”
    • “Game is simply too buggy and unstable in its current iteration.”
    • “So far it's been a buggy mess, 13 crashes in just the tutorials.”
  • humor42 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by its absurd and unpredictable scenarios, such as the comical political shifts in countries like Italy and the amusing outcomes of events like the UK being renamed "the worker's commonwealth." Players appreciate the game's quirky mechanics, funny bugs, and the satirical portrayal of historical events, which often lead to hilarious situations and memes within the community. Overall, the humor is both subtle and overt, appealing to players who enjoy a mix of clever references and lighthearted chaos.

    • “It's always funny to watch Italy go through revolution after revolution - swapping between fascist, democratic, and socialist governments - or to watch the Mormons break away from the US and form their own nation... lmao.”
    • “I think it's hilarious that in one game in 1910, after a great war that saw the UK lose and get disarmed, a cabal of commies took over and renamed the UK 'the worker's commonwealth.'”
    • “The politics and economy part of the game is funny and interesting, as in a communist America, democratic Russia, and Empire of Brazil.”
    • “The humor in the game often falls flat, relying too much on tired clichés.”
    • “I found the jokes to be forced and not very clever, which made the experience less enjoyable.”
    • “While there were moments of humor, they were overshadowed by awkward writing and delivery.”
  • story42 mentions

    The game's story is largely shaped by player choices and historical events, allowing for a unique narrative experience with each playthrough. While some players appreciate the depth and complexity of the historical context, others find the overarching plot lacking and rely on their imagination to create personal narratives. Overall, the storytelling is more about the player's journey through numbers and events rather than a defined narrative.

    • “There's also references to the tragedies associated with colonization, which is deftly woven into the storyline - several references to Dr. Livingstone's exploration of the African continent exist too.”
    • “The game is overall one of my favorites with endless possibilities, great and very detailed game mechanics, and a very strong story following real-time events that you can change.”
    • “Complicated for sure, but it creates a different story every time.”
    • “The missions, the nightmares… they’re finally over.”
    • “I'm really not sure the plot line is really confusing.”
    • “Don't expect too much of an overt narrative though - as in Europa Universalis, the story of your nation will be created through numbers, charts, and events.”
  • grinding29 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and overly complex, requiring significant time investment and micromanagement that can detract from the overall enjoyment. Many players feel that the game's mechanics, particularly in warfare and diplomacy, are cumbersome and demand excessive attention to detail, making the experience feel more like a chore than a hobby. While some appreciate the depth and learning curve, the consensus leans towards grinding being a frustrating and time-consuming element of gameplay.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The process of making an army is extremely tedious when creating large armies.”
    • “Save your money - this game is tedious, boring, and needlessly complex.”
  • optimization12 mentions

    Overall, the optimization of the game is mixed; while some users report smooth performance and efficient engine usage, others experience significant issues, particularly on lower-end PCs. The game's dated design contributes to its performance challenges, but the use of mods, such as the Historical Project Mod, can enhance both gameplay and quality of life. Despite these concerns, many players find the game enjoyable, especially in multiplayer settings.

    • “For more content and to improve quality of life, flavor, and performance, the Historical Project Mod (HPM) is recommended.”
    • “Almost no observable demand on hardware; the engine feels efficient and runs smoothly.”
    • “I have spent hours trying to fix issues with this game and am very disappointed with its performance.”
    • “The only problem with the game is how dated it is, which negatively affects gameplay and performance.”
    • “If you have a lower-end PC, your performance will be worse, but in my experience, it's still playable, even on most laptops today.”
  • emotional10 mentions

    Players express a profound emotional connection to the game, often experiencing intense feelings ranging from joy to sorrow. The depth of the game's mechanics, particularly in relation to historical events and personal narratives, evokes strong reactions, leading some to tears over both in-game scenarios and personal memories. Overall, the emotional impact of the game resonates deeply with players, highlighting its ability to intertwine personal and historical experiences.

    • “Then I cried myself to sleep.”
    • “Btw I cried when I saw CKIII instead of Vic3... (why Paradox, you do this)”
    • “10/10 would cry again.”
  • atmosphere8 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its immersive design and exceptional soundtrack, which effectively transports players to the historical period it represents. While some reviewers noted that additional weather effects could enhance the experience, the overall ambiance, characterized by a blend of conflict, politics, and economy, creates a tense and engaging environment. Despite being slower to start and less polished than other titles in the genre, the atmosphere remains a standout feature.

    • “The game's fitting soundtrack adds to the overall atmosphere and really helps to transport you back in time.”
    • “The balance between conflict, politics, and the economy makes this one of the most atmospheric and tense games ever.”
    • “The soundtrack is absolutely phenomenal, with amazing orchestral Victorian music which sets up the mood and atmosphere to wage war against your enemies.”
    • “Some simple weather effects could have been added for even better atmosphere, but it's okay.”
    • “The soundtrack is absolutely phenomenal, with amazing orchestral Victorian music that sets the mood and atmosphere to wage war against your enemies.”
  • monetization3 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game is criticized as a cash grab, with expectations of numerous DLCs to enhance content, leading to a perception of the game as lacking depth. Additionally, users express frustration with intrusive pop-up ads, despite acknowledging the appealing premise and advertising.

    • “By far the most in-depth Paradox game, Victoria 3 sucks and is a hollow cash grab that'll turn into 15 DLCs for more content.”
    • “No, if you hate pop-up ads.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

76% average critic score

Buy Victoria II

Play time

65hMedian play time
682hAverage play time
10-450hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 37 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Similar Games