Europa Universalis

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.

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.

The Good
There isn't much not to like about it. The game gives you the option of controlling one of a variety of European powers during the era of colonization, and the detail and fun in the simulation is awe-inspiring. The best diplomacy model in recent memory, massive multi-front wars, exploration and colonization, discovery of new lands - it's all here.

The interface is elegant and easy to use. The game's depth and interest in phenomenal. Attention to detail is excellent. The game's replay value is astonishing - any one of the dozen scenarios could be played a hundred different ways, since all the countries handle differently and each offers a variety of strategies to follow.

But what really sets this game apart is the astonishing immersiveness of it all. Paradox has done a phenomenal job of making the game really elicit the historical dynamics of the times. Each country plays differently; playing Russia is completely different from playing Portugal, which in turn is completely different from playing England. The strategic, military and financial decisions you make interrelate with the other powers and the dynamics of the time in a manner I've never seen in any other game, ever. The designers very wisely made religion a major part of the game, too (it was a major part of European history at the time.)

Europa Universalis is truly one of the finest games on the shelves today. If you like strategy, you must run out and buy this game.

The Bad
1. Like all games, it's buggy out of the box. Get the version 1.08 (or later) patch and install it or you'll get crash bugs.

1. Irritatingly, even with the patch, the game seems to hang your system after you exit it. This game is worth the reboots, believe me, but I'd still like to see it fixed.

2. The graphics and sound aren't anything special, not that it really takes away from the game.

3. The Europa Universalis manual is awful, explaining next to nothing. Fortunately, the Web community is very strong, so you can get your questions answered.
   
   The Bottom Line
   This is one of the ten best strategy games I have ever played on my PC, and I've played them all. A must have for the serious gamer.