Victoria 3

A hallmark of excellence. There may be flaws, but they are negligible and won't cause massive damage.

Starting at $14.10Buy now

"Victoria 3" is a society simulation game set in the 19th century, where players lead nations through industrialization, societal transformations, and international politics. The Grand Edition includes the base game and expansion pass, with additional music packs, art packs, and an immersion pack. Players can balance competing interests in their society and guide their chosen nation's destiny from 1836-1936.

Play Modes

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

Reviews

68%

Audience ScoreBased on 16,691 reviews

gameplay600 positive mentions

optimization114 negative mentions

gameplay
2,967 mentions
20 % positive mentions
69 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Victoria 3 has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its deep economic and political mechanics while criticizing the war and diplomacy systems. The core gameplay loop revolves around managing production and trade, which can be engaging, but the lack of player control in warfare and the simplistic nature of diplomatic interactions have left many feeling frustrated. Overall, while the game shows potential and has improved since launch, it still requires significant refinement and additional content to reach its full potential.
- “The gameplay is so simple and shallow, a chimpanzee could understand it.”
- “I love the economic and political system as it allows for much more flexibility in how you develop your nation, which I prefer more versus the map-painter and event-driven gameplay of other historical grand strategy games.”
- “It has got lots of complex systems and game mechanics but they are intuitive and satisfying to master.”
- “The gameplay is so simple and shallow, a fucking chimpanzee could understand it.”
- “Army units teleporting half-way around the world when you're struggling to hold a front that split in two for no discernible reason is the most frustrating gameplay experience I have ever encountered.”
- “The core mechanics of the game are so convoluted I doubt even Paradox knows how it works, much like how Paradox said they have no idea how the Vic 2 economy works.”
graphics
508 mentions
40 % positive mentions
57 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The graphics of Victoria 3 have received widespread praise for their stunning visuals and immersive art style, marking a significant improvement over its predecessor, Victoria 2. Many players appreciate the detailed map and the aesthetic appeal of the game, although some have noted performance issues and optimization challenges, particularly in late-game scenarios. While the graphics are often highlighted as a strong point, there are mixed feelings about whether they compensate for gameplay shortcomings and a lack of depth in certain mechanics.
- “The graphics are amazing, very fun to play for those who prefer politics and economy rather than war.”
- “Graphics look incredible up close, everything feels so alive with the traffic, trains, and towns appearing in historic locations as you add new resources.”
- “The visuals, sound, and immersion are fantastic.”
- “Victoria 3 is still very poorly optimized, causing my CPU to overheat and frequently shutting down my PC, even at medium graphic settings.”
- “I have played 20-year-old games with more mechanics, better-looking graphics, and a more stable multiplayer than this garbage.”
- “The graphics are a real step up, but the economics and demographics are really disappointing in their current state.”
optimization
496 mentions
10 % positive mentions
67 % neutral mentions
23 % negative mentions
The optimization of Victoria 3 has been widely criticized, particularly for its severe performance issues in the mid to late game, where many players report significant slowdowns and crashes, especially after the 1880s. While some updates have improved performance, the game still struggles with optimization, requiring high-end hardware to run smoothly, and many users recommend waiting for further patches before fully engaging with the game. Overall, the game's potential is overshadowed by its ongoing performance challenges, making it difficult for players to enjoy the experience as intended.
- “I cannot overstate that this part of the game, although complex, is super fun if you like optimization and tinkering in games.”
- “Since the release of the sphere of influence and the accompanying patch, the game has depth, is well optimized, and fun to play.”
- “With the improvements to gameplay mechanics, AI, and the surprise uplift in overall performance coupled with the discounts running with the Steam summer sale at the moment, I think now is the ideal time to jump in if you've been on the fence about Victoria 3.”
- “The mid-late game performance is horrible; the game starts to slow down drastically once the in-game date reaches the 1880s (about halfway).”
- “Don't waste your time playing their games until they improve the performance, as this issue has been a problem for a very long time across almost all of their games.”
- “The performance issues and crashes are simply unbearable.”
stability
399 mentions
3 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
97 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with users reporting numerous bugs, crashes, and performance issues even long after its release. Many players describe the game as a "buggy mess," highlighting problems with the combat system, AI behavior, and overall gameplay mechanics that render it frustrating and often unplayable. Despite some improvements over time, the consensus is that the game remains unstable and requires significant patches to reach a satisfactory level of functionality.
- “No glitches, the game functioned perfectly and I can see myself spending lots of time playing this game.”
- “So far, save for an easily fixable error with the launcher, the game seems reasonably bug free after many hours of play.”
- “Bug free experience so far, 7 hours.”
- “The game is a buggy, unfinished, flavorless, directionless mess that future promises and duct tape fixes cannot excuse.”
- “It's been a buggy/broken mess from day one and while numerous patches have improved things, I can't justify recommending the game to someone.”
- “The game is incredibly buggy, with a game-ending bug occurring in pretty much every playthrough.”
grinding
288 mentions
1 % positive mentions
4 % neutral mentions
95 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has been widely criticized for its extreme tedium and micromanagement, with many players feeling overwhelmed by the repetitive tasks required to manage economies, armies, and diplomatic relations. Reviewers often describe the gameplay as a tedious slog, likening it to a "glorified click-to-make-red-green-again simulator," where the enjoyment diminishes significantly in the late game due to the sheer volume of micromanagement needed. While some players appreciate the depth of the economic system, the overall sentiment is that the game requires excessive grinding for minimal reward, leading to a frustrating experience.
- “It feels immersive, complex, yet not tedious.”
- “In my opinion, this has better combat than any other Paradox game besides HOI4 because it isn't tedious with insane micro.”
- “There is no tedious micro here.”
- “Essentially, it's a glorified click-to-make-red-green-again simulator with extreme tediousness and barely anything interesting to do.”
- “This game takes everything that was boring and tedious from Victoria 2 and builds the entire game around that, while also getting rid of everything that made that game fun.”
- “The economic part of this game is tedious and requires an absurd amount of micromanagement.”
music
218 mentions
57 % positive mentions
41 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The music in Victoria 3 has received widespread praise for its beautiful composition and ability to evoke the atmosphere of the 19th century, with many players noting its soothing and immersive qualities. However, some reviewers have criticized the soundtrack for being repetitive and lacking variety, especially after extended playtime. Overall, while the music enhances the game's aesthetic appeal, there are calls for more tracks to sustain long-term engagement.
- “Victoria 3 is a beautiful game, with stunningly detailed maps, elegant menus, and evocative music that perfectly captures the atmosphere of the 19th century.”
- “The music is beautiful.”
- “The soundtrack is absolutely without a doubt my favorite soundtrack in all of the Paradox suite of games.”
- “Even after 3 mechanics DLC and 3 art/music DLC, the game is still in a state that feels unfinished.”
- “As much as I love Paradox, I'm sorry to say this game should have been released with more music in the in-game soundtrack.”
- “The game is completely soulless to play with cookie-cutter nations that all play the same, minus a very select few that have tiny flavor quests, music that grates the ears after it repeats for the umpteenth time with how tiny the music selection is.”
story
195 mentions
15 % positive mentions
77 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing disappointment over the lack of a robust narrative structure and meaningful missions. While some appreciate the emergent storytelling potential and the focus on economic and political dynamics, others criticize the absence of unique nation-specific events and the overly generic nature of the journal system, which fails to provide the depth and flavor expected from a Paradox title. Overall, players feel that the game lacks the engaging storylines and historical context that characterize other entries in the genre.
- “It's an interesting foray by Paradox into the visual novel genre, a very comfy kind of thing full of steampunk industrialization ASMR, and almost no matter what you pick, a feel-good story about how your nation of choice is going to industrialize, modernize, overcome its prejudices, and how the future is oh so bright and excellent.”
- “This is a game more about the story of your nation than combat, and I personally enjoy that about it.”
- “Every Paradox game I've played feels like an epic story generator.”
- “These are storyline failures where you don't achieve something quickly enough or an AI player grabs it more quickly, and at that point your game becomes a highway to nothing. It can be as abrupt as that: switch off, three or four hours wasted.”
- “What I can't abide by, and what ultimately makes me overall ill-disposed towards Victoria 3, is that telling the story of the economic boom of the 19th century is telling less than half the story of the success of the West in the given timeframe.”
- “The game is also completely directionless other than missions that are vague and upon completion, crash the game.”
replayability
180 mentions
27 % positive mentions
62 % neutral mentions
12 % negative mentions
The replayability of Victoria 3 is a contentious topic among players, with many noting that while the game has potential and offers a variety of nations to play, it often feels repetitive and lacks unique experiences between them. Some players appreciate the improvements made since launch, citing enjoyable mechanics and diverse gameplay, but many express disappointment in the overall depth and flavor, leading to a perception of limited replay value compared to other Paradox titles. Overall, while there are elements that can enhance replayability, significant room for improvement remains.
- “The many countries all have unique challenges to them allowing for a very diverse gameplay and much replayability.”
- “It offers a lot of variety and replayability, as you can play as any of the dozens of nations available, each with their own unique challenges and opportunities.”
- “The game has a lot of potential, but the launch vanilla is lacking some needed gameplay to maintain replayability.”
- “For a Paradox game, there's very little replay value.”
- “The replayability is shockingly abysmal for a strategy sandbox game.”
- “The game has so little flavor that it can’t save the replayability of the game.”
humor
118 mentions
97 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The humor in Victoria 3 is characterized by its dark and absurd comedic elements, often stemming from the game's broken mechanics and historical inaccuracies. Players find amusement in the game's portrayal of political and economic systems, as well as the bizarre outcomes of wars and events, leading to a mix of frustration and laughter. Overall, the game offers a unique blend of humor that resonates with those who appreciate its quirky take on strategy and simulation, despite its flaws.
- “Victoria 3 is a hilarious mix of strategy and simulation, perfect for those who love a good laugh at the expense of historical accuracy.”
- “I would like to take a moment to point out how hilarious it is that this game portrays the entirety of the middle class as authoritarian xenophobes.”
- “From hilarious noob mess ups to absolutely destroying entire nations, this game always has something going for it.”
- “Some events have terrible meme-like writing such as 'we shall all die sooner or later' that fall flat since they're not funny—insulting maybe due to the absolute lack of actual flavor events for even the great powers.”
- “It's not funny anymore.”
- “The AI in this game can't build an economy, making the single-player experience unfunny; they will build at random instead of investing in previous, profitable buildings.”
emotional
26 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game elicits a wide range of responses, from feelings of frustration and heartbreak due to its perceived lack of depth and connection, to moments of excitement and engagement when players successfully navigate its complexities. Many users express disappointment over the game's abstracted diplomacy and economic systems, which detract from the immersive experience they sought, while others find themselves drawn back despite the emotional toll, indicating a complex relationship with the game's design and mechanics. Overall, the emotional experience is marked by a mix of disillusionment and a compelling urge to master the game's challenges.
- “I want to cry.”
- “Heartbreaking.”
- “This game is mental and emotional torture of the highest degree.”
monetization
23 mentions
0 % positive mentions
4 % neutral mentions
96 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has been widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, with many reviewers expressing disappointment in its reliance on small, overpriced DLCs and aggressive advertising tactics. Players feel that the focus on monetization detracts from the game's quality and potential, leading to a lack of meaningful content and numerous bugs. Overall, the sentiment is that the game prioritizes profit over player experience, resulting in a soulless product that fails to live up to the legacy of its predecessor, Victoria 2.
- “It's just a cash grab based on the reputation of Victoria 2.”
- “Paradox had an excellent game in Victoria 2 that could have been modernized but instead decided to go for the cash grab.”
- “Complete disappointment, the AI doesn't start any diplomatic plays causing the map to be stagnant for the entire game, the economy system and trade has to be annoyingly micromanaged to the point of spending half the game flicking through menus, the law system is tedious RNG, the war system is very janky and generals will just assign themselves to different fronts, do battles where they have the smaller amount of troops, etc. It seems like Paradox spent more on advertising and those monthly dev-blog videos than actually making the game.”
atmosphere
18 mentions
56 % positive mentions
28 % neutral mentions
17 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in Victoria 3 is widely praised for its stunning visuals, detailed maps, and evocative music that effectively captures the essence of the 19th century. While many players appreciate the game's immersive environment and the focus on social and economic progress, some note that the atmosphere can feel repetitive at times, particularly during war or revolt events. Overall, the combination of art, sound design, and gameplay mechanics creates a compelling and enjoyable atmosphere, though some players desire more depth and variety.
- “Victoria 3 is a beautiful game, with stunningly detailed maps, elegant menus, and evocative music that perfectly captures the atmosphere of the 19th century.”
- “A great addition to the Paradox family - great mood and atmosphere of the Victorian era, where wars are just something in the background, and the priority is social and economic progress and global trade.”
- “Especially the sound design and music really give a sense of atmosphere.”
- “Where the hell are the war mechanics you used to have in your previous games that made me feel immersed in that atmosphere?”
- “Gorgeous and delightful music fits the atmosphere, but it's sadly ruined by the sounds of war and revolt outbreaks.”
- “There is just no atmosphere to the whole thing.”
character development
3 mentions
67 % positive mentions
-33 % neutral mentions
67 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is highlighted as a key focus, appealing to fans of titles like Crusader Kings 3, but it faces criticism for its character design, which some users find unattractive. Overall, while the game offers depth in character progression, the visual representation leaves much to be desired.
- “The different focuses and pillars of the game, such as character development, society crafting, military skill, and economic management, create a rich and immersive experience.”
- “If you enjoyed Crusader Kings 3 for its character development and Hearts of Iron 4 for its war and industry simulation, you'll definitely appreciate Victoria 3 for its economics simulation.”
- “The character design is poor and one of the ugliest I have seen.”
- “If you liked CK3 for the character development, HOI4 for the war/industry simulation, you will appreciate Victoria 3 for the economics simulation.”