Europa Universalis IV | |
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Cover art of Europa Universalis IV
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Developer(s) | Paradox Development Studio |
Publisher(s) | Paradox Interactive |
Distributor(s) | Steam |
Director(s) | Thomas Johansson |
Producer(s) | Linda Kiby |
Designer(s) | Johan Andersson |
Programmer(s) | Niklas Strid |
Artist(s) | Fredrik Toll |
Composer(s) | Andreas Waldetoft |
Series | Europa Universalis |
Engine | Clausewitz 2.5 |
Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux |
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Genre(s) | Grand strategy |
Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Aggregate score | |
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Aggregator | Score |
Metacritic | 87/100 |
Review scores | |
Publication | Score |
Destructoid | 95/100 |
GameSpot | 90/100 |
IGN | 8.9/10 |
PC Gamer (US) | 91/100 |
Europa Universalis IV is a grand strategy video game in the Europa Universalis series, developed by Paradox Development Studio and published by Paradox Interactive. The game was released on 13 August 2013.
A Strategy game where players control a nation from the Late Middle Ages through the Early modern period (1444 to 1821 AD), conducting trade, diplomacy, colonization, and warfare.
The game itself is an interactive map of Earth divided into the provinces that compose nations. Each of these provinces contribute to their country either positively or negatively, as provinces can both provide resources to a nation and serve as a point of unrest and rebellion. The gameplay requires the player to lead a nation by finding a balance of military, diplomacy, and economy. The player does so through their choices as sovereign of their nation, and through the spending of resources available to them: Prestige, Stability, Gold, Manpower, Legitimacy for Monarchies, Republican Tradition for Republics, and Monarch Power (Administrative, Diplomatic, Military).
Players can choose to conquer the world by military might, become a colonial superpower, establish trade dominance, etc. The game is a sandbox environment, and while there is no strict rule on winning the game, a loss occurs when the player's nation is removed or annexed from the map. Diplomacy is a large aspect of the game, as creating alliances and vassal states, improving opinions and monitoring expansion and coalitions is vital to a player’s survival. Espionage can also be employed against enemy states in order to claim their territory, or incite rebellion in their provinces, as well as other dubious methods. Combat can be done on both land and sea, and it attempts to simulate real world factors such as morale, discipline, competency of leaders, terrain, and supply lines.