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 is the thrilling next iteration of Paradox's long-running grand strategy series. If you're still playing EU IV and wondering whether the upgrade is worth it, I'm here to tell you that you absolutely need to play this game. It takes everything about the last entry from 2013 and improves on it. If you're a newcomer with an interest in complex, deeply involved grand strategy games, then now is the perfect time to jump in.
It’s the very opposite of pick up and play but the level of detail and complexity in Europa Universalis 5 is truly staggering and matched only by the difficultly of learning how to play it.
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 the most mature version of the series: not only does it add features, but it integrates them into a coherent fabric that makes the historical simulation more believable. It's not perfect, but it's a blast!
Review in Italian | Read full review
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.
Europa Universalis V, even in its initial release, demonstrated a remarkably high level of polish and an abundance of content. It's a culmination of Paradox Interactive's work, capable of immersing you for hundreds of hours straight.
Review in Chinese | Read full review
From Rat to Railway
Europa Universalis V is another brilliant grand strategy game from Paradox. It is on par with its predecessors and takes the series forward. It is challenging and complex. However, it's best not to rely too heavily on the AI's assistance, as it tends to fail.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
Forget everything you learned in the previous game. Europa Universalis V introduces a deeper, more intricate geopolitical system where your nation feels alive, breathing and evolving with every decision. It’s a world worth inhabiting for anyone eager to take on the challenge - provided you’re ready to invest the time to master its complex mechanics. Those who do will discover one of Paradox’s most ambitious grand strategy experiences yet.
Review in Unknown | Read full review
Europa Universalis V doesn’t just impress, it devours. It weaves diplomacy, conquest, faith, and culture into a tapestry that first humbles, then enthralls. What begins in confusion ends in obsession, as you are crowned by the systems that mystified you on first pass. If not for Paradox's usual optimization fumbles, this game would've been the absolute pinnacle of strategy forever. Regardless, it stands above many of its ilk as the grandest of grand strategies.
“Europa Universalis V” exceeded all my expectations. It is ambitious, deliciously complex and isn’t afraid to throw the player at the deep end and challenge them. It sets a new standard for Paradox and grand strategy games in general.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Europa Universalis V isn't perfect; AI quirks, balance tweaks, and the occasional micro-management tedium remain. But when it clicks, it's a deep, rewarding, and endlessly playable grand strategy experience that feels like a proper evolution, not just an expansion.
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