More than 12 years have passed since the Europa Universalis table game jumped from the board to the PC. A title that has meant something more than a milestone for the so-called high or grand strategy, since it laid the necessary foundations for the emergence in Sweden of new licenses of a similar type, set in other historical periods of interest.
Although much of the mechanics is still intact, at least in essence, the latest works of Paradox Interactive indicate their willingness to renew ideas, as we saw with the second installment of Crusader Kings . Today, analyzing the fourth installment of
Europa Universalis , we will see what these changes are and how profound they affect a system known and recognized by thousands of users.
The chosen time for Europe Universalis IV is, and always has been, the Modern Age. However, on this occasion we will not see ourselves catapulted directly to 1492 as in previous installments, and we will begin our historical evolution in the year 1444.
This provides us with a lapse of time until the Fall of the Byzantine Empire, and even more so until the end of the Reconquista and Discovery of America, events that mark the separative line between these two historical ages.
It also brings the end of Crusader Kings II to the start of Europe Universalis IV – even advances it in 9 years – so that the temporary jump between the end of a game in the game of medieval strategy, and its continuation to the Modern Age, is more than nonexistent.
And is that, as happened with Europa Universalis II , we can use our game finished in Crusader Kings II to start one in Europe Universalis IV, respecting the changes in the history that we have accumulated during the almost 400 years of history that make up this other title. Of course, it is not an obligation to enjoy the new Paradox, but this system of continuity
will surely delight lovers of games developed and distributed by this company. Of course, those who come from a medieval party, who do not expect a similar mechanism once they change to the Modern Age. As usual in the titles that make up this collection, each era is governed by very different mechanics … although they may have common elements.
Europa Universalis IV allows us to choose different start periods, with the aforementioned year 1444 being the earliest starting point. The nations available at the beginning will depend on the chosen moment, and among them is the Ottoman Empire, Castile,
France, England, Portugal, Austria, Switzerland, Bavaria, Bohemia, Venice, … For each of the elections we are described the historical context of departure, as well as the style of play that will most benefit the side we have chosen. Each nation has, in turn, a
set of Ideas whose use we will explain later, and a group of technology to be developed. We must pay attention to the diplomatic situation of departure, since we are entering a rather turbid period, in which large-scale conflicts begin.
Our development will be measured based on certain parameters, this time Ducados, Labor, Prestige, Stability and Legitimacy. The first corresponds to the amount of money that is stored in our coffers, and used to contract or build, and the second indicates the number of
men available to be enlisted in our armies. Prestige is a measure of the respect that other nations have for us, useful when making diplomatic proposals, while
Stability marks the possibility of revolts within our borders. Finally, Legitimacy values what our subjects think about their King. These resources will vary depending on a multitude of parameters, affected by our decisions during the game.
