Steep learning curve, but worth the effort
Pros:
A real challenge Fantastic detail in politics,economics, production, military. Replay potential very high
Cons:
Still buggy (ver 1.09 patched) Have to surrender to exit. Long loading time.
The Bottom Line:
Buy it- A great, challenging game, with a depth of information that I've never seen before. Great replay value with many countries, scenarios to play.
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Overall Rating:
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Author's Review
Europa Universalis covers the period from 1492-1792, in the format of Real-Time Strategy (RTS). You take the helm of a major European nation and compete with your rivals for trading rights, provinces, and conquests in the unexplored world.
Game interface: The user interface is very good. For each button, or toggle there is a help window that will come up, giving details of what the information means, or the options that are available. I found this to be extremely helpful, just for the sheer amount of information that the game presents you with. Only complaint I have is with the way you exit the game. There's no way to simply exit, but you must go through a complicated, and long surrender dialogue.
Game concepts: The game is easy to play, but it's not easy to win. To be victorious you will have to develop a good understanding of the interrelationships in the game. These include; alliances with other nations (critical); developing your countries infrastructure to support your war and political efforts; Military operations, and how technology, and ratio of different types of troops can lead to victories. Also the utilization of leaders is critical.
I can't say enough about the level of detail and variety of game play. This will keep the game interesting for a very, very long time. At times I was concentrated in almost pure military operations--worrying about producing troops, positioning leaders, and getting my armies to the right place at the right time. Other times I was completely absorbed in exploration, and trying to open new routes to potentially rich provinces. The political portion of the game is critical, and those who ignore this will find themselves isolated and facing hostile alliances.
The game also has multiplayer options, including playing via internet, or direct-dial.
Graphics: I like them. They aren't fantastic, but they do the job and give a period feel to the game.
Bugs: The game still has some bugs in it, though I am playing with the latest patch. Mostly I've had crashes to desktop. It can take up to ten minutes for the game to exit.
Summary: I've played three Grand campaigns, as Spain, England, and Turkey. Each game has been radically different, challenging, and entertaining. The game takes a while to master, but in the end the level of detail, re-play potential, and entertainment value make it more than worth the effort.
