Rating: 
Summary: Extremely fun when it works right --- get the patches
Review: Paradox is now up to Patch 1.07 on Europa Universalis II, which can be interpreted two ways --- it means that Paradox is quite attentive to the needs of its customers, and responds to them. However, it also means that there are so many bugs in the game (and Paradox is justly infamous for extremely buggy games) that it has thus far required 7 patches.Trying to play the game without any patches? I wish you the best of luck. Save early & save often, and be prepared for frequent crashes. There was a point, after one crash too many, where I simply put the game away and refused to play it for many months. Also, without the patches, you will find that you cannot use your diplomatic strategies to their full extent. Assuming that you have updated the game with the 1.05, 1.06 or 1.07 patch, you will find an extremely fun and addictive strategy game. At first glance, one may be tempted to take a purely military approach and carve out a massive empire for yourself. However, you may then find yourself teetering on bankruptcy and facing continual revolts throughout your domain. You may also find the rest of the world suddenly ganging up on you. The option of hacking your way across the world generally will not bring success. Of course, this means that the game forces you to look at the picture --- managing a budget, allocating your resources, managing your domestic & religious policies, and wielding diplomacy as a weapon just as effective as your armies --- and that all adds up to a pretty steep learning curve. It will take more than a few tries before your national engine is firing on all cylinders. Paradox has a great forum, with a very active posting community. Just about any question you may have has been addressed on one forum or another. In theory, you can play a couple of hundred nations --- ranging from the major powers of Europe, the pipsqueak principalities of Europe (sometimes simply surviving is a victory in and of itself), or a 3rd world nation such as Mali, Dai Viet or Chimu. The reality is that this game is heavily Eurocentric. You can play a New World nation such as Cherokee & Creek, but you will lack the resources and wherewithal to make any significant improvements in technology. Centuries will whiz by as you stare at the same dozen provinces, with barely any improvements in technology. Then you will get the pleasure of watching the English, Spanish or French swoop in and gut you like a fish. If you aren't going to play Europe, stronger non-European nations such as Delhi and China will give you a fighting chance. Playing Persia, the Mameluks or the Ottomans will also give you the chance (possibly) of sweeping across Europe, leaving havoc in your wake. Few things provide more pleasure. The game is extremely open-ended. You can play the exact same nation a dozen different times. Random events and the sometimes unpredictable nature of the AI opponents guarantee that your game will unfold a dozen different ways. Obviously, this is not a game for the shoot-em-up crowd. The graphics are a minor part of the games (although the music is quite delightful --- the patches will add some new music), and the game's pace will prove frustrating to those yearning for a lot of action. However, as a strategy game, this has to be up towards the top. Just make sure the game is fairly up to do date, so that you can maximize the strategic possibilities.
Rating:
Summary: Great Original Game
Review: This game has a fairly steep learning curve and takes quite a while to master, but you are definately rewarded for your patience. The first thing to do is to go to Paradox's website and download the latest patch, because they've really improved the game since its initial release. Once you do this and devote a few hours to the tutorial and the basics you'll be addicted. The game can be played in several ways. Attempt to conquer the entire world, become the world's sole superpower, coexist with other nation's peacefully, or play in a strictly historical way. You can choose your goals and have fun with them, playing as any nation on the globe, from the Iroquis to the Japanease to the English. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: amazing sound track
Review: Do you enjoy strategy games that aren't a real-time strategy click fest? Did you major in history? Then Europa Universalis is the game for you but be careful because you may never set it down. Being a history buff, any game which allows me to conquer the world in the Age of Mercantilism is a dream come true so you can imagine how quickly I picked this one up. Actually, I started playing the series with the first game and if you're new to the entire Europa Universalis line, I recommend you begin with the sequel which doesn't add an incredible amount of new content but is a better play than the first game. Historically accurate rules and the ability to play any country from Spain to the Aztec Empire is what makes this game a classic. War isn't as simple and one-dimensional as a classic turn-based strategy game such as Civilization or popular real-time strategy game such as Age of Empires. While technically the game is real-time strategy (RTS), it really doesn't feel like it as it's a different approach from your typical RTS title. You can easily change the speed of the game by slowing down the progression of months and essentially turning the game into a turn-based strategy game which is the best and necessary way to play in most areas of the game. The game allows multiplayer and speaking of online communities, Europa Universalis may have one of the smartest PC gaming communities in existence. Check out the company's message boards for plenty of custom mods and in-depth history discussions. While you're at it, make sure to download any patches as well because the entire Europa Universalis line has a notorious reputation for buggy releases. This game takes plenty of time to master so don't expect to learn it in one day. To enjoy this game, you really need to know what type of gamer you are. While not as sophisticated as some of the lesser known harcore military strategy games, Europa Universalis does require plenty of patience and a passion for history and strategy.
Rating: 
Summary: Europa Universalis
Review: I am a fan of Historical Strategy games such as the Civilization series and Cross of Iron. I would have to say that Europa Universalis is one of the better Historical Strategy games I have played. The game is challanging and will keep you playing. Spans pretty much the whole world, except for the interior of of some of the continents which is fairly accurate for the time. Conquest, Religion, Diplomacy, Economics, and even Royal Marriages all play there part as you struggle to win, if not just to survive. Overall, a very enjoyable game that will be continued to be played.
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