Europa Universalis

aka: EU, Evropa 1492-1792: Vremya Peremen
Moby ID: 3484
Note: We may earn an affiliate commission on purchases made via eBay or Amazon links (prices updated 3/22 11:14 PM )

Description official descriptions

You take charge of one of the many European countries, doing battle to take the Empire as their own. Much like past titles such as Civilization and Age of Empires, strategy is the key. However, instead of controlling every troop separately, you control groups of troops at a time, and let them do the talking while you move them from territory to territory. The playing time spans between 1492 and 1792.

Spellings

  • Европа 1492-1792. Время перемен - Russian spelling
  • 欧陆文明 - Chinese spelling (simplified)

Groups +

Screenshots

Promos

Videos

See any errors or missing info for this game?

You can submit a correction, contribute trivia, add to a game group, add a related site or alternate title.

Credits (Windows version)

153 People · View all

President
Executive Producer
V.P. Business Development
V.P. Product Development
V.P. Systems
Product Manager
Marketing Manager
PR Manager
Packaging and Design
Project Leader
Design
Based on the Board Game by
Scenario Design
Additional Scenario Design
Lead Programming
Programming
[ full credits ]

Reviews

Critics

Average score: 74% (based on 29 ratings)

Players

Average score: 3.4 out of 5 (based on 32 ratings with 4 reviews)

Diplomacy and trade is the key!

The Good
The complexity and the diplomacy possibilities are unsurpassed thus far in the gaming industry, unless you play hard-core simulations. It's micro-management yet in a big world. And there's history to learn!

The Bad
After four hours of building colonies, fighting off natives and losing most of my traders, I'd very much like to just relax with a game of pinball instead.

The Bottom Line
Trying to survive as a nation in Renaissance Europe is not the easiest task you'll ever take upon yourself. There are lots of feudal kingdoms all over Europe and Asia, and since they've just discovered America, there's a whole new world of possibilities opening up for your nation. Better be quick; create trading posts and colonies before your enemies get there. Build up your armies and fleets to protect and attack. Uphold your diplomatic relations with your neighbours and mighty allies. Decide if and when you should convert to another religion.

This is a game that could drive you mad in all its seemingly difficult strategy, but once you get the hang of it, you may just become the greatest leader this world has ever seen! Well worth a look for any serious strategy gamer. Don't be alarmed of the real-time aspect, as you are able to pause the game and make decisions in your own time as much as you'd like.

Windows · by Klirr (9) · 2001

A perfectly designed, brilliantly executed must-have strategy game

The Good
There isn't much not to like about it. The game gives you the option of controlling one of a variety of European powers during the era of colonization, and the detail and fun in the simulation is awe-inspiring. The best diplomacy model in recent memory, massive multi-front wars, exploration and colonization, discovery of new lands - it's all here.

The interface is elegant and easy to use. The game's depth and interest in phenomenal. Attention to detail is excellent. The game's replay value is astonishing - any one of the dozen scenarios could be played a hundred different ways, since all the countries handle differently and each offers a variety of strategies to follow.

But what really sets this game apart is the astonishing immersiveness of it all. Paradox has done a phenomenal job of making the game really elicit the historical dynamics of the times. Each country plays differently; playing Russia is completely different from playing Portugal, which in turn is completely different from playing England. The strategic, military and financial decisions you make interrelate with the other powers and the dynamics of the time in a manner I've never seen in any other game, ever. The designers very wisely made religion a major part of the game, too (it was a major part of European history at the time.)

Europa Universalis is truly one of the finest games on the shelves today. If you like strategy, you must run out and buy this game.

The Bad
1. Like all games, it's buggy out of the box. Get the version 1.08 (or later) patch and install it or you'll get crash bugs.

  1. Irritatingly, even with the patch, the game seems to hang your system after you exit it. This game is worth the reboots, believe me, but I'd still like to see it fixed.

  2. The graphics and sound aren't anything special, not that it really takes away from the game.

  3. The Europa Universalis manual is awful, explaining next to nothing. Fortunately, the Web community is very strong, so you can get your questions answered.

    The Bottom Line
    This is one of the ten best strategy games I have ever played on my PC, and I've played them all. A must have for the serious gamer.

Windows · by Rick Jones (96) · 2001

Leaning curve steeper than a sky scraper exterior, yet...

The Good
Once you do get the hang of the game, it is a whole lot of fun. The ability to play one of eight great nations from 1492-1792 and re-write history and the world map has got to be appealing to at least history buffs out there. The interface is surprisingly simple and easy to customise and the graphics do their job at keeping things easy to read and manage.

The diplomacy model is very helpful, and, with a little skill and luck, you can assemble a powerful alliance to defend/conquer the world.

As far as advanced strategy goes, the web community for this game is fantastic, and not just limited to the English speaking world.

The Bad
The game is very, very buggy out of the box and will need some extreme patching. While the 3rd party additions are useful (being able to play any country etc.) they can cause some issues and may force a re-install.

The game is difficult to pick up and play, since the manual isn't very useful. It is likely to take 2 or 3 hours to learn to play properly, unless you have someone teach you. However the game is quite deep and this is to be expected to a degree.

Also the sound is very uninspiring and the music needs to be switched off quickly.

The Bottom Line
A fantastically deep and fun strategy game, with a look and style just slick enough to entice new comers. Once fully versed in playing the game it is easy to let the hours slip by.

If seen, it should be purchased.

Windows · by Keeper Garrett (917) · 2006

[ View all 4 player reviews ]

Trivia

Board game

Europa Universalis is actually the conversion of a little-known board game of the same name, published in 1993 by French company Azure Wish Edition. One group of players gave a very good impression on what kind of game Europa Universalis is when they wrote: »The game board covers a full size dining table, and we expect to use about one year to finish the way we are playing.«

Import

Compuexpert.com imported the BeNeLux (Belgium/Netherlands/Luxembourg) version to the US and was able to offer this game for just $10, significantly below the going price for the US/Canadian version.

Inaccuracies

What's the deal with the US box cover?

  1. Why is their a 13-star American flag featured in the cover art? For a game focused on European politics - one that ends in 1792 - this hardly seems appropriate. The flag of Spain ought to take its place - not having Spain's flag is quite an omission.

  2. Why is the St. George's cross of England portrayed as a Scandinavian cross?

  3. Who is Nappleon?

Polish version

In the Polish version of the game there is one bonus scenario - it's about the Swedish invasion in Poland in the 17th century.

Information also contributed by Asterisk, JRK, Kasey Chang and -Chris

Analytics

MobyPro Early Access

Upgrade to MobyPro to view research rankings!

Related Games

Europa Universalis III
Released 2007 on Windows, Macintosh
Europa Universalis III: In Nomine
Released 2008 on Windows, Macintosh
Europa Universalis: Rome
Released 2008 on Windows, Macintosh
Europa Universalis III: Heir to the Throne
Released 2009 on Windows, 2010 on Macintosh
Europa Universalis III: Chronicles
Released 2011 on Windows, Macintosh
Europa Universalis: Rome - Vae Victis
Released 2008 on Windows, 2009 on Macintosh
Europa Universalis III: Napoleon's Ambition
Released 2007 on Windows, Macintosh
Europa Universalis II
Released 2001 on Windows, 2003 on Macintosh
Europa 1400: The Guild
Released 2002 on Windows

Related Sites +

  • Official Website
    This is the official site for Europa Universalis by Paradox Entertainment.

Identifiers +

  • MobyGames ID: 3484
  • [ Please login / register to view all identifiers ]

Contribute

Are you familiar with this game? Help document and preserve this entry in video game history! If your contribution is approved, you will earn points and be credited as a contributor.

Contributors to this Entry

Game added by Kartanym.

Additional contributors: PCGamer77, -Chris, Unicorn Lynx, Ivan Napreenko, Stratege, Patrick Bregger.

Game added March 27, 2001. Last modified January 22, 2024.