Europa Universalis V Reviews
Europa Universalis 5 is definitely hurting for some balance tuning at the moment, but its depth of simulation and ultra detailed map might make it the most on-paper impressive historical strategy game of all time.
A new bar for complexity in the historical grand strategy genre that sometimes buckles under the weight of its ambition.
[Europa Universalis V] is absorbing, seemingly infinitely replayable, deeper than the Mariana Trench, and sets a new standard for what grand strategy should mean.
Europa Universalis V marks the start of a bright new age for Paradox's Grand Strategy series, rebuilding the core, while retaining so much of the breadth, detail and regionality. There's some slight rough edges, which aren't surprising for a game of this scale, and room for expansion to better explore certain ideas and regions, but isn't there always?
Europa Universalis V is, at its core, tons of different games all standing on top of each other in a trenchcoat. It’s an economy sim, social and political sim, it’s a war simulator - and it’s more than that. It’s the most complex Paradox game I think I’ve ever played, and that’s not to its detriment.
Europa Universalis 5 isn't just an evolution, it's a true rebirth. Paradox has modernized its classic without losing its soul, delivering a deeper and more dynamic historical simulation than ever before. The game feels more alive, clearer, and more coherent, with reworked systems for population, trade, and warfare that add incredible depth. Sure, it's still complex and can slow down in the late game, but the journey is worth it. Every decision matters, every century tells a new story, and when you finally close the map after dozens of hours, it truly feels like you've shaped history.
Review in French | Read full review
Issues aside, Europa Universalis 5 has been an utterly incredible introduction to a whole new gaming world for me. It’s wonderfully welcoming yet entrancingly absorbing, and I can’t recommend it enough to anyone interested in getting into the grand strategy genre.
I want to live in a world where games retain their core gameplay all the while becoming more accessible to new players with minimal compromises. Paradox is making that true with Europa Universalis V. With its automation, friendlier UI, and fleshed out playstyles outside of expansion, it's a grand strategy game that is innately fun, endlessly engaging, and worth the decade's wait.
Europa Universalis V ushers in what will likely be a new golden age for this grand strategy franchise, even if it currently needs some fine-tuning.
From Rat to Railway
Despite all the practical lessons required to learn how to play Europa Universalis V, the quality of the simulation, the systemic coherence, and the ability to generate narratives make this the greatest hardcore strategy game of recent times.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Europa Universalis 5 features excellent visuals, a captivating soundtrack, and above all, perfectly balanced gameplay depth — delivering one of the best titles in the genre at launch, with the potential to become the greatest in the future.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Europa Universalis V is a triumph of clever game design, carefully crafted interface, and best-in-class, engrossing strategy.
Europa Universalis 5 is a fantastic addition to the franchise that will likely only improve over time as bugs and UI issues are addressed. There are so many different possibilities for replayability, not only from the selection of nations, but even playing the same nation over again will result in a different game.
Europa Universalis V removes the barrier of ‘if you haven't played it before’ in the grand strategy genre, and in doing so, it succeeds in offering gameplay that is much more in-depth than its predecessors or peers.
Review in Turkish | Read full review
Europa Universalis 5 is a dream come true for history buffs and strategy enthusiasts. The initial hurdle is enormous; I haven't even mastered a tenth of it myself. I've failed dozens of times due to minor oversights. If you need clear goals and predetermined challenges, then this game is not for you. If you like to be thrown in at the deep end and are keen to live out your medieval power fantasies behind complex mechanisms, then "Europa Universalis 5" is the strategy game for you.
Review in German | Read full review