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Extremely fun when it works right --- get the patches

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 12 / 13
Date: April 12, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Paradox is now up to Patch 1.07 on Europa Universalis II, which can be interpreted two ways --- it means that Paradox is quite attentive to the needs of its customers, and responds to them. However, it also means that there are so many bugs in the game (and Paradox is justly infamous for extremely buggy games) that it has thus far required 7 patches.

Trying to play the game without any patches? I wish you the best of luck. Save early & save often, and be prepared for frequent crashes. There was a point, after one crash too many, where I simply put the game away and refused to play it for many months. Also, without the patches, you will find that you cannot use your diplomatic strategies to their full extent.

Assuming that you have updated the game with the 1.05, 1.06 or 1.07 patch, you will find an extremely fun and addictive strategy game. At first glance, one may be tempted to take a purely military approach and carve out a massive empire for yourself. However, you may then find yourself teetering on bankruptcy and facing continual revolts throughout your domain. You may also find the rest of the world suddenly ganging up on you. The option of hacking your way across the world generally will not bring success.

Of course, this means that the game forces you to look at the picture --- managing a budget, allocating your resources, managing your domestic & religious policies, and wielding diplomacy as a weapon just as effective as your armies --- and that all adds up to a pretty steep learning curve. It will take more than a few tries before your national engine is firing on all cylinders. Paradox has a great forum, with a very active posting community. Just about any question you may have has been addressed on one forum or another.

In theory, you can play a couple of hundred nations --- ranging from the major powers of Europe, the pipsqueak principalities of Europe (sometimes simply surviving is a victory in and of itself), or a 3rd world nation such as Mali, Dai Viet or Chimu. The reality is that this game is heavily Eurocentric. You can play a New World nation such as Cherokee & Creek, but you will lack the resources and wherewithal to make any significant improvements in technology. Centuries will whiz by as you stare at the same dozen provinces, with barely any improvements in technology. Then you will get the pleasure of watching the English, Spanish or French swoop in and gut you like a fish.

If you aren't going to play Europe, stronger non-European nations such as Delhi and China will give you a fighting chance. Playing Persia, the Mameluks or the Ottomans will also give you the chance (possibly) of sweeping across Europe, leaving havoc in your wake. Few things provide more pleasure.

The game is extremely open-ended. You can play the exact same nation a dozen different times. Random events and the sometimes unpredictable nature of the AI opponents guarantee that your game will unfold a dozen different ways.

Obviously, this is not a game for the shoot-em-up crowd. The graphics are a minor part of the games (although the music is quite delightful --- the patches will add some new music), and the game's pace will prove frustrating to those yearning for a lot of action. However, as a strategy game, this has to be up towards the top. Just make sure the game is fairly up to do date, so that you can maximize the strategic possibilities.

The best strategy game ever

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 9 / 9
Date: September 30, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Look around your living room. If you see a console system there that doesn't have an inch of dust sitting on top, this game isn't for you. If, however, you don't care about whether or not you can blow through a game in an afternoon, or whether or not your games give your $400 graphics card a hard time, this is your game. It doesn't look like much at first, but one you master the steep learning curve you are rewarded with strategic and historical depth unrivaled by anything that doesn't actually involve ruling your own country. Want to defeat the major European powers as Napoleon? You can. Want to unite the Middle East as the Timurid Empire? You can. Want to experience the tactical difficulties of fighiting a war in Sweden? You can. Want to unify Germany as the Grand Duchy of Mecklemburg? Dont you know what Mecklemburg is? You will. This game has it all, from the strategic warfare of the Hundred Years War to the Napoleonic Wars, the ability to create a mercantile empire that pours riches into your coffers, or the ability to explore, colonize, and conquer the New World. A deeper, more historical, or more fun strategy game con't be found anywhere.

Not for the casual gamer

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 9 / 9
Date: March 15, 2003
Author: Amazon User

This is a good game, but be prepared to put a lot of time and effort into it. Some of my fellow reviewers seem to think that this game is too easy. This may be the case if you play it for months or longer. But it certainly is not a game you can pick up and play over the weekend. There simply is too much going on and too much to handle. And the casual gamer will soon wish for more obvious feedback.

This doesn't mean the game is bad though. Quite the contrary. Just be aware of the commitment you will have to make.

A Grand Game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 11 / 13
Date: December 31, 2001
Author: Amazon User

EU2 is not a game for everyone. But it is a game that does everything it tries to do well. If you like simple games, EU2 wil overwhelm you. If you like detail that rewards careful attention and examination. If you like complex gameplay, and you would like a game that models historical events without making you a slave to history. This is it. EU2 is my favorite game out. Easily.

The first person who reviewed referred to the forum. It is exceedingly helpful, and I have not experienced any "nastiness" on it. You can find answers to strategy questions, even full "historical fictions" based on the games played. It is sad that that reveiewer let some personal matter color his review of the game. The only bad thing about this game is what it will do to your social life.

Outstanding

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 12 / 15
Date: December 31, 2001
Author: Amazon User

If you are into strategy gaming, this game is a must have. The diplomacy and war models are all excellent, and the customer support from Paradox is great.

The forum mentioned above is very helpful and one of the more professional I have seen. The average age and average education are much higher than most gaming forums, so this certainly helps. It is an excellent resource, the poster above likely ran into one or two bad members or bad discussions. The difficulty is also adjustable even on the very hard setting, if you begin finding major states such as England too easy you can always trying playing other states such as Ireland or Tuscany. The recent patch has also fixed what may of led to an Ethiopa ruling the world, although this still would not of been common even in the pre-patch game.

If you dont have EU1, and enjoy strategy games, especially historically based strategy games, get this game. If you have EU1 and are wondering whether EU2 is worth it, there are enough new bells and whistles to make this a new game.

My only concerns have been alleviated by the recent patches by Paradox (the original game release was released a couple of weeks too early).

Great, In Depth Game

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 8 / 8
Date: February 21, 2005
Author: Amazon User

This game is for those of us looking for a little bit more of a thinking-strategy game. While most strategy games center around building up armies as quickly as possible, this game centers much more around building a successful civilization. The fact that it is in real time gives it some advantages over the Civilization series in that it is not quite as tedious. The game also takes place in the real world, with the players playing as real countries that existed historically. Historical events add spice to the game. The game lets you control many different aspects of a civilization. Not only are military and expansionist aims represented, but how much freedom you give your people, what economic system your country will be, and what role nobles, serfs, or the middle class will play in your country are only a few of the things you get to control.

There are only a few problems with the game. The graphics aren't the best in the world, which is not that big of a deal, depending on what you are looking for in a game. It is a little buggy (the game freezes once in a while), so save your game often. The game can get a little boring if you are not playing as one of the major world powers. And lastly, the choices of diplomatic maneuvers are limited, and don't represent the wide ranging options diplomats have in real life.

Despite these downfalls, I recommend this game to anyone looking for something different from the typical RTS games.

As anticipated as Civ III and NWN

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 15 / 22
Date: October 10, 2001
Author: Amazon User

After playing the first one to death, I can honestly say I can hardly wait for the sequel to be out. ...

If you played the first one you probably found yourself thinking of ideas that could make this game better, and from that you probably downloaded the IGC. Well the designers listened to the gamers and added many of the features included in the IGC as well as an overhaul of the AI and other feature found within the engine.

Overall the graphics will remain the same, but with new features, strategies, nations, and lands to explore it will seem like an entirely new game.

Incredible Epic Strategy Game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 7 / 7
Date: August 30, 2002
Author: Amazon User

This is the best strategy game I have played in a very long time. While at first glance the options and style of the game may seem a bit limiting, the game is actually deep and has a huge amount of replayability. I bought this game four months ago, and I'm still playing it almost daily.

You can play as almost any country that existed during the time period you chose, but you start in a historically accurate position. That is, if you pick a small, weak country, you're going be small and weak in the game. You have to be a strong player to get by as one of the minor countries. Beginning players should start with one of the major countries like England, France, or Austria.

There are a couple things you should be aware of before purchasing this game, however. The graphics are a bit dated. They're not bad, but they fall well short of the current industry standards.

Also, if you're a traditional RTS gamer, this game is nothing like other RTS's. Although it does play out in real-time, it's more similar to turn based strategies than most real time strategies.

Europa Universalis

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 7 / 7
Date: April 16, 2003
Author: Amazon User

I am a fan of Historical Strategy games such as the Civilization series and Cross of Iron. I would have to say that Europa Universalis is one of the better Historical Strategy games I have played. The game is challanging and will keep you playing. Spans pretty much the whole world, except for the interior of of some of the continents which is fairly accurate for the time. Conquest, Religion, Diplomacy, Economics, and even Royal Marriages all play there part as you struggle to win, if not just to survive. Overall, a very enjoyable game that will be continued to be played.

Best Strategy game in existence!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 8 / 9
Date: March 11, 2002
Author: Amazon User

I never played the Original EU, but I picked this one up because i was very disappointed with Civ3. This game more than makes up for that one. While the game play is a little slow in the beginning, the level of thought you have to put into this game more than makes up for it. It's like chess on steroids.

The Game interface is good, the AI is great, and as was stated by others, this game has the best music in it, period. I've spent about 50 hours on the first scenario, and haven't finished it yet, but am totally addicted. Some here have talked about bugs, but I haven't found any yet (by contrast, Diablo2 was so buggy when it came out, my computer crashed constantly).

This is truly the best strategy game I have ever played. It makes Civilization and Empire Earth look stupid and childish by comparison.

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