New World Order

The original Europa Universalis was Paradox’s first international hit. Europa Universalis II was so successful that it set the template for almost every Paradox game that followed. Returning to the series after five years, the developer has major changes in mind. A New World is going to be unveiled.
The Europa Universalis games place you in command of a nation just as the Middle Ages draw to a close. New seaways need to be explored. New continents are there to be exploited. You have to balance domestic, diplomatic, and religious concerns while you steer your empire through the early modern age. It is a big-picture game, with very simple economic and military models, but little choices can have huge consequences. If you can keep the kingdom stable, the world may be yours.
All that old stuff is back, but it certainly looks new. The world map has received a cartographic facelift that goes beyond the usual addition of new provinces and new nations. You can now recognize terrain without relying on your ability to distinguish various shades of green. As cities expand and improve, they gain a different appearance on the map, so you can head straight for the enemy’s largest towns.
The biggest change for the third edition is that it allows you to start at any date you choose between the fall of Constantinople (1453) and the French Revolution (1789). The world situation, technology, and politics of the starting date will be reflected on the map; major European events are already highlighted for your convenience. But if you want to start with the reign of Elizabeth I or Abbas the Great, simply roll back the clock and you’ll be there.
That may, in fact, be the only way you get to encounter those great personages. In an effort to make the history more dynamic, the developers have decided that the only historical monarchs will be those that start the session. You won’t know whether your next ruler is a wise administrator or a dunderhead. You may not have an heir at all, leading to all sorts of tough decisions. Historical events are also out, for the most part. The major events like the Reformation and national revolts are given a bit of a boost, but you won’t get those textbook summaries of Suleiman’s reforms or the Star Chamber anymore. Instead, events will be contingent on national characteristics (religion, tolerance, etc.) and the status of the map. History hasn’t vanished. Famous leaders and generals may not be included, but a wide range of other famous figures are at your disposal to improve your nation. Torquemada, Michelangelo, Cao Zhan… each nation can hire only three from a geographically determined list. Grab ’em while you can.
Continuing the theme of “tough choices” is the government system. There are 40 government philosophies to choose from, but you can only choose 10, and these are doled out as your technology improves. It remains to be seen how this will play out in a full campaign (what happens if China goes for conquistadors?). But it should allow for greater national specialization.
The list of additions and changes goes on and on. The elections for the Holy Roman Emperor are more explicit. You can gain prestige by making the pope your puppet. The peace negotiation window is greatly expanded. Though there is still a lot to be done before the early 2007 release, the developers clearly aren’t content to rest on the laurels of their prized franchise.

This article originally appeared in Computer Games Magazine #192