Europa Universalis IV
EU4
Release Date: August 13, 2013
Strategy, economic, RTS, war strategy, historical, grand strategy, multiplayer, singleplayer, internet
Steam
The fourth installment in a highly popular strategic game franchise - Europa Universalis. The title was developed by Paradox Development Studio. In accordance with the tradition of the series, Europa Universalis IV lets you command and develop a chosen nation over the course of several centuries. This time the historical framework spans from 11 November 1444 to 2 January 1821.
Over the last decade Europa Universalis series earned a faithful group of enthusiasts, as well as a place among the most important games in the computer strategy genre. Paradox Interactive Studio, the game’s developer team, made us wait long – more than six years, to be specific – for the fourth installment of the series (the third one was published in early 2007), trying to make it strike a chord with fans.
Plot
Following the pattern set by the previous installments of the series, Europa Universalis IV for PC lets the player take on the role of an eminence grise who controls the development of a given country over centuries. This time, you can choose from over 250 nationalities from all over the world. Depending on the scenario, the game period can span over nearly 400 years (in the main campaign).
Gameplay
The task is quite complex, as player has to take care of a whole spectrum of issues related to governing – starting with political system, through foreign policy, trade, economy and social structure, scientific research, military development and operations, world exploration, and colonization of new territories.
With Europa Universalis IV the developers decided to enrich the well-known mechanics with new elements. One of the most significant innovations is a system called Monarch Power, which makes the personality of a ruler affect his ability to take specific actions (for example, the monarch of a warlike disposition will develop military technologies more quickly). Considerable changes were also made in the field of diplomacy and trade.
The game developers took care of a solid historical foundations. In EU IV there are 4,000 names of authentic state leaders and a whole cast of other characters known from history books. Some attention was paid to signifying major historical events, which often have impact on the game.
Game modes
The game offers several game modes for both single-player and multiplayer play via the Internet. Up to 32 people can participate in a single multiplayer game – either in cooperation or competitive modes.
Technology
Europa Universalis IV is based on a dependable, although continuously upgraded Clausewitz Engine 2.5, which had previously been used in Games Victoria II and Crusader Kings II, among other titles. A lot of effort has been put into improving the visual binding of the game, as compared with the previous installment of the series. A 3D map of the in-game world was created, which stays true to the historical borders of provinces, actual land relief, and dynamically changing seasons.
Last updated on August 14, 2015
Last Update: September 12, 2013
Europa Universalis IV Game Guide
This guide for Europa Universalis IV will get the payers acquainted with the sophisticated aspects of gameplay and help them take advantage of all the options optimally, to enable them develop their empire as dynamically as possible.
Videos and Screens
[1:08] Europa Universalis IV King of Kings DLC trailer
[0:46] Europa Universalis IV preorder trailer
The main pros of the game
- Depth and Complexity: The game offers a rich and intricate strategy experience that appeals to fans of historical simulations. Players appreciate the depth of mechanics and the variety of nations and scenarios available.
- Replayability: Users highlight the game's high replay value, with countless hours of gameplay possible due to the different countries to play and the various strategies to employ.
- Educational Value: Many players mention that the game teaches them about history and geography, enhancing their knowledge while playing.
- Addictiveness: The game is described as highly addictive, with players spending thousands of hours immersed in gameplay.
- Mod Support: There is a strong community that creates mods, which can enhance or change the gameplay experience significantly.
The main cons of the game
- Steep Learning Curve: New players often find the game difficult to learn, with many mechanics being complex and not well-explained in the tutorial.
- DLC Dependency: A significant number of users express frustration with the game's reliance on DLCs, stating that many core features are locked behind paywalls, making it difficult to fully enjoy the game without purchasing all expansions.
- AI and Balancing Issues: Some reviews mention that the AI can be unbalanced or cheat, leading to frustrating experiences in gameplay, particularly regarding battles and diplomacy.
- Technical Issues: Several users report crashes and performance issues, especially on Mac systems, which detracts from their overall experience.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
- Improved AI: Many players desire a more competent and less biased AI that can provide a more challenging and engaging experience.
- Better User Interface: Users call for a more modern and intuitive UI, as the current interface can be clunky and cumbersome, particularly for new players.
- Enhanced Tutorials: There is a consensus that the game needs a more comprehensive tutorial and guidance system to help new players understand its mechanics and systems better.
- More National Focus Trees: Some players express a desire for additional national focus trees that could provide more unique gameplay experiences for various nations, enhancing the historical aspect of the game.
Summary
- Overall, while Europa Universalis IV is praised for its depth, replayability, and educational value, it faces criticism for its steep learning curve, reliance on DLCs, and technical issues, which can hinder the experience for both new and veteran players.
Summary generated on:
GAMERS Score
Average score from 3943 votes. 813 players anticipated the game.
8
GAMES
in Europa Universalis Game Series
Game Series
Europa Universalis Series
The highly acclaimed series of historical strategies, which Paradox Development Studio is responsible for creating and developing. The brand is one of the most important in the publishing offer of Paradox Interactive.
8 video games
Europa Universalis IV Summary
Platforms:
PC / Windows
Developer: Paradox Development Studio
Publisher: Paradox Interactive
Europa Universalis IV System Requirements
PC / Windows
Minimum: Intel Core i3-2105 3.1 GHz / AMD FX-4300 3.8 GHz, 4 GB RAM, graphic card 1 GB GeForce GTX 460 / Radeon HD 5850 or better, 6 GB HDD, Windows 10 64-bit
Recommended: Intel Core i3-3240 3.4 GHz / AMD FX-8120 3.1 GHz, 8 GB RAM, graphic card 1 GB GeForce GTX 560 Ti or better, 6 GB HDD, Windows 10 64-bit
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