Europa Universalis 4: Origins
a game by | Paradox Tinto |
Platform: | PC (2021) |
Editor Rating: | 6/10, based on 1 review |
User Rating: | 9.0/10 - 2 votes |
Rate this game: | |
See also: | Download Strategy Games, Europa Universalis Series |
Europa Universalis IV serves as a theater for all kind of heinous political and wartime drama. Once upon a time, the brand was the domain of grognards, history buffs, and strategic board game fans, but things have changed. Everyone and their mother seemed to like Game of Thrones — which, with its battles, politics, and intrigue, is not dissimilar to Europa Universalis — and Paradox has done the unimaginable by making its fourth edition user-friendly, opening the doors to the filthy masses.
Synopsis
It's still intimidating, impossibly large, and unashamedly difficult, but it's also one of the most enthralling and satisfying strategy games I've ever sat down to play from dawn to sunset. I only say "may" because if I stated it was certain, you'd probably just go play it instead of waiting for me to confirm it at the conclusion of the review like the awful tease that I am.
Larger and more beautiful than ever
Fluctuating boundaries, massive mountain ranges, and continents that change with the seasons - the earth has never looked more alive in a grand strategy game. It's so beautiful that I spend much of my time playing in regular terrain mode, not wanting the numerous commerce, political, and religious overlays to detract from the breathtaking scenery. When I need additional information, I halt the game and switch, but I immediately return to ogling the Alps or watching the way the leaves change orange in autumn.
The menus don't have the same aesthetic appeal, but the way they break down Europa Universalis' intricate features into simply detectable information makes them just as amazing. It’s still an interesting strategy game, although it differs from titles like Crusader Kings 3 and Civilization VI.
A convoluted marketplace
A high inflation rate may appear to be a random proportion at first glance, but it is the outcome of a decade-long conflict and frequent loans taken out to pay for a massive mercenary army. Perhaps it is the product of greediness, with the country establishing too many gold mines and mismanaging its economy. Simply lingering over the inflation figure indicates why the country is in such grave problems.
For a game that seems to take pride in showing the mathematical calculations that you should be basing your decisions on, the fairly important trade system is bafflingly obtuse. That's my major complaint with Europa Universalis IV, but given how many moving parts are involved in a game that simulates an entire world, it’s a miracle there’s only one.
Verdict
Europa Universalis IV is easy to recommend to anyone interested in historical strategy – it’s the best game in the series, which can now take its place, with no caveats, among the giants of the genre.
Very few strategy games manage to show the grand sweep of history as something that can be directly influenced and made fun, and only EU4 manages to do it with both a level of complexity that creates historical plausibility and a learning curve gentle enough to be welcoming and satisfying.
Pros
- Better details than previous games
- More player flexibility
Cons
- Buggy multiplayer
- Confusing marketplace
Download Europa Universalis 4: Origins
System requirements:
- PC compatible
- Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP