By all accounts – mostly Rob’s – Europa Universalis IV is every bit as deep as the maroons and mustards and navy blues of its campaign map, which make it look like a pub boardgame from the ‘50s. And it’s probably even deeper than Crusader Kings II, the game it follows out of the development stable at Paradox and acts as de facto sequel to.
It’s not the sort of deep you can get across satisfactorily in a launch trailer – so Paradox have decided to make theirs about Sweden instead.
Paradox’s Swedish Empire talks about its history, relationships and desires as if it were an individual, not an arbitrary landmass – but that seems oddly fitting for a grand strategy game Rob describes as an RPG where you play a nation.
Europa Universalis IV would have you do all of these things:
- Make your own decisions: Nation building is completely flexible and the possibilities are endless.
- Bring out your negotiating skills in a deeper diplomatic system: Use coalitions, royal marriages and support for rebels and explore the possibilities of the new unilateral opinion system.
- Use your Monarch Power: Experience the new system of monarch power where your choices are influenced by the caliber of the man you have at the top and will direct the ebb and flow of gameplay.
- Experience the all new trade system: The trade system adds a new dimension to the great trade empires of the period. Gain control of vital trade routes and make the wealth of the world flow to your coffers.
- Experience history coming to life: The great personalities of the past are on hand to support you as you make your mark on thousands of historical events
- Turn the world into your playground: Enjoy hundreds of years of gameplay in a lush topographical map complete with dynamic seasonal effects.
- Engage in Cross-platform Multiplayer: Battle against your friends or try the co-operative multiplayer mode that allows several players to work together to control a single nation with up to 32 players. Featuring hotjoin, improved chat, new matchmaking servers and support for a standalone servers.
- Create your own history & customize your game: Europa Universalis IV gives you the chance to customize and mod practically anything your heart may desire and uses Steam Workshop.
And it has a demo too. Perhaps that’ll persuade you to don the guise and characteristics of a mouthy Sweden? It’s out now and you can buy Europa Universalis IV here.