Europa Universalis

aka: EU, Evropa 1492-1792: Vremya Peremen
Moby ID: 3484
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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)

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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)

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

A great real time strategy historical game

The Good
The historical accuracy is awesome. The AI is very good. The number of countries the player can play. The variety of factors, economy, religion, military . Excellent graphics for a strategy game of this kind. The Improved grand campaign. The number of players all around the world. Its originality.

The Bad
The AI has minor flaws. Some names are incorrect. Some events are absurdly used.



The Bottom Line
This is a game where you can control a country from 1492 to 1792 , You can control for instance Portugal, France, Spain, England and your objective is to control the greatest number of provinces and adding or scoring victory points. You must be able to manage your economy , military and religion and many other factors so you can surpass all other direct competitors. It's a must for all historical fans and for everyone else.

Windows · by Falconetti (703) · 2002

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

[ 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

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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
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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.