Hours are needed to get to grips with it, and a history degree is preferable. But it’s not for the lily-livered part-time strategist. It’s fantastically detailed, and makes few compromises in putting all the power of the decision-making process at your fingertips.
This is a comprehensive simulation of the global geopolitics of the era. The experience of managing say, the Netherlands (weak militarily with a tiny, exposed homeland though great overseas possessions) and Prussia (almost land-locked in the heart of Europe, though strong militarily) lends EUII the kind of replayability other games stay awake at night plotting to steal. It’s the scope and the replayability of the game that really sets it apart. But the map can be frustrating, with certain information only viewable when it’s switched between one of its many modes. Things are pleasing to the eye in a quaint, board-game kind of way that gives you the feeling of pushing lead soldiers around a table. And financing all this expansion can mean the battle against inflation is as hard-fought as the battle against your warmongering neighbour. Traders, colonists, missionaries, mayors, judges and more all have to be put in place to pacify new lands. As it’s in real time, you can turn tail mid-battle and flee if things go against you.īut conquering territories is only half the battle. Resolution includes variables such as composition of forces, defensive preparations, morale and the ability of the commanders. Waterloo And All ThatĬombat is initiated simply by turning up with your army in the same territory as the enemy. Alliances are not easily made or broken and even declaring war can prove frustratingly hard, with diplomatic justification required first. Diplomacy requires careful thought to safeguard your reputation. Your goals range from scenario to scenario, and include annexing territories, accruing victory points, exploring a specified part of the globe, or simply maintaining your nation’s existence.Īs supreme ruler, financial, military, religious, cultural and diplomatic matters must be seen to.
The game plays in real time, though you can pause to deliberate decisions. Simulation and history lesson all rolled into one. This is the hardcore end of the strategy market. But once, EU referred to Europa Universalis, an age when Europe was a playground for power-mad aristocrats, where going to war with one’s neighbour was a national pastime and human rights was a concept only slightly less fanciful than time travel.Įuropa Universalis II covers the period 1492 to 1820 and despite the name, gives you charge of almost any nation in the world from Afghanistan to America.
These days, EU stands for European Union, a movement of nations coming together in harmony to further peaceful development and to champion human rights.
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