Europa Univeralis 3 is a grand turn based strategy game that has been out some time and will take quite some time to get into and to understand the game. There is just so much too the game that I found it overwhelming and turned off by it and could not get into it too much. The graphics are bland and sound/music is allright. If you loved grand strategy game you will probably love it and since there are so many DLC's available for the game the game could really never end. I will stay with CIV 5 though :)

EU III is simply a brilliant game, first of all, id like to praise the music because it fits the game very well, secondly the graphics are nice, the map offers a pretty 3D world which contains hundreds of provinces, the animations of armies moving are nice too, the gameplay is great and if you are new to the series you are off to a good start because this version of EU is quite easy to learn if you compare it to EU I or EU II, the gameplay is nice and now you dont get flooded with screens containing useless information (a thing that happened very often in EU I and II) for 14.95$ you really cant ask for more, the game offers more than 300 years of gameplay and is almost impossible to complete those 300 years with a nation, and even if you do, you will still feel you have an awful more to do with the game, considering the vast selection of nations available to pick.

Great Historical game, similar to a board game that you can play with friends. A lot of features that expand with the patches. I would recommend getting the complete addition, because the expansion packs are a MUST.

If you like historical games, this is for you.

Decent game with many different outcomes possible. I did have to restart a few times until I became used to all the nuances of moving units and exactly how the merchant system operates. I suppose a read through the very thorough (i.e. looonnnggggg) manual would have prevented some of my problems. Having the manual up to consult early and often would be a great idea. I highly recomend playing as some of the lesser known nations of the time if you feel the game play has become too easy.

EU3 is a great game. But it has a steep learning curve and I would only recommend it to someone who likes history or grand strategy games. If you are interested in the game i would go with EU3 complete because it gives you EU3 and two expansions that make the game even better. Also the game has many mods that change the way the game plays.

Good game, very immersive, and a must for history junkies. For me, EU3 strikes a very good balance between abstraction and micromanagement (the latter is favored in other Paradox games like Hearts of Iron and Victoria)

However, the game reaches an entirely new level when all the expansions are added (In Nomine, Napolean's Ambition and Heir to the Throne). This game warrents 4/5 stars, but easily reaches 5/5 with the expansions because of the depth of strategic options and expanded gameplay/timeline.

First let be this crytal clear: Do no buy this game.

There is a much more interesting bundle called EU3 complete.

Believe me, you will want to buy all add-ons, this game is an absolute must have for any wargamer or historical lovers.

Also the community is great and alive for wonderfull MP.

Finally when you come to think of HOI3 compair to HOI2 by the same company, there is at least a few more years to go before EU4 is available then playable.

Destined to become an all time clasic. The vanilla game is a creat concept and has good playability, but the game truely shines in its modability! Its on sale now so if you even have a slight liking of RTS games, give it a shot. If you like it, you can pick up the expansions for half off as well!

This game is amazing despite many bugs and an extremely steep learning curve. You deal with every aspect of governing an empire from the fall of Constantinople to shortly before the Napoleonic war. It showed depth and re-playability i have yet to see again.

A good strategy game. This is not a game based on wonderful visual effects as units destroy each other. This is a game of much deeper appeal and is more rewarding. Don't get me wrong I also like the Command and Conquer games but you can get more satisfaction out of something you work on longer. If you are not a patient person and are not willing to learn this game then you may, (notice I said may), not like it. Like I said I play the Command & Conquer games as well and I also like this one.

EU3 is a good game concept, but this basic game without expansions is almost sad. The only intelligent rebels, who have no specific goal or region, seems to be the ones that attack you. Armies for the most part are just chased out of the region you are taking and never seem to die. And the inflation system causes havoc with investments. But the idea is originial, the nations and map are accurate, and the game is incrediably addicting.

Best game of its Genre I have ever played! The depth and detail is fantastic. The graphics are a little on the low side, but dont let that stop you from playing. The sand-box style of this game is amazing, and I cannot say enough. The sheer amount of options and choices you can make is fantastic and you can play as any country (major or minor) that you wish. Great, great game!

This game you will play and play and play. Once you start you will get engrossed. The scope is magnificent and the game will go and go. This is not a game to rush. It takes time to play and time to get it all down.

As always the EU title delivers. Than you once again Paradox. I'm looking forward to the next iteration of EU. EU3 delivered new features without departing too much from its old game engine that I've always loved. The history and the map are the two most impressive aspects for me. This will satisfy your history and strategy game craving.

This is a great game. The only game of Paradox that's better is HoI2. The game moves at the perfect pace, there's never a boring moment, and the historicity gives freedom, but also makes the time period authentic.

But a word of advice: buy In Nomine in addition to this. It adds a lot of material that I, at least, cannot go without. But this by itself is a great game that I highly recommend for fans of grand strategy.

Tons of fun for people that enjoy the strategy genre. Even more fun in multiplayer. Not excellent graphics, but the intricacy of running your own nation more than makes up for that. Also a great way to learn geography and history... do it for the kids!

for me, this game was not worth the money. I bought it a week ago with the expansion, and right now I do not dare start playing it again, because the game is hopelessly addicting that I found it impossible to hold control of myself while I am playing it. this is the second time that happened with this company's game(paradox interactive) after Heart of Iron 2. if you are looking for some mild fun to relax yourself in your spare time, this game mustn't be your choice.

An excellent game. The other reviews say it all, but it is worth noting that this game is improved immensely by it's expansions (especially In Nomine). In reply to an earlier review pointing out the "Risk!"-esque combat, they are correct. However Risk! is a much loved strategy game for a reason: have more troops almost always spells victory, with minimal chance (but still a possibility) of failure if properly prepared. Randomised combat is not fun, we like to be able to predict the out come of a given confrontation before it starts, to a degree, with minimal statistical madness. Otherwise we end up in the situation of Civ IV, with an archer being capable of destroying a tank if they are lucky. So, Risk! combat, yes. A negative thing? Maybe if you don't like that kind of thing.

The scope and level of detail in this game is astounding, and I have played the game for hundreds of hours without regretting a single one of them. But while this game is truly a masterpiece, it is a flawed one. With the two expansions, however, EU3 grew from a great game into the only alternative. Do yourself a favour and spend a little extra for the generously priced EU3 Complete. With a hundred years more of gameplay, dozens of new features and improvements in basically every part of the game, you can't afford to pass on the expansions.

Europa III is a great game , In fact although there are some less attention to detail of world history unlike the pervious Europa editions , Europa III really is the only one in the series which gives you unparallel power in the way you rule your own nation from the way the government works , to the ability to change certain laws within your own nation to suit your own playing style. Make your nations become a trade empire or just a military superpower is all up to the way you rule your nation. The diplomacy engine has really been worked out unlike the Europa II on allowing anyone to wheel and deal other national leaders to your nations cause or just caus chaos for your rivals. And if this all seems to much to handle , before each game you start ,set the way you want to play the game from being overly complexes to as simple as you want.

Beginners might be put off by the amount of options in Europa Universalis 3, but the reward for learning how to play is a highly addictive and awesome experience. The interface is improved from EU2 and it's not a barrier anymore. Needed information is quickly available and even the number crunching is made easier.

Although a good part of the game involves moving sliders and trying to compete in centres of trade, there's a lot for those looking for a competitive game or just a great historical "simulation".

Goals are set by the player himself, which might disappoint some gamers, but seeing your plans come to fruition is fantastic.

There are some problems regarding the AI and diplomacy options, where the player will have little to do in some situations.

The scope of the game is huge, with thousands of provinces and nations to pick, with some offering an easy game and others ensuring a difficult path to victory.

There's also a good number of mods available which improve the game and extends replayability.

An incredibly immersive and detailed game!

The replay-value of EU3 is way beyond any other game I've ever encountered, and the multiplayer component adds even more joy; I've been playing EU3 with three of my friends ever since I bought it.

Admittedly, it's got a steep learning curve. But once you're past the initial hurdles it just keeps on giving back.

Whole-heartedly recommended!

/David

You've got so many options - incredible! When you jump in your empire, you have so many things to do - you have to research, you have to keep your inflation and reputation low, your prestige high, you have to conquer more terretories, in order to do that you not only need an army but you also need skillful generals (England beat me once with 1000 men against my Burgundian force of 9000, just because my opponent had 4 shock bonus :( ). And yet it isn't a very complicated game. Another good thing is that because of the terretoria ingocnita and the research you can't do anything you can do in the game at the first moment. This makes you going on and on, until the game stops, and then you'll choose another nation and do it all over gain.

I'll give it a 4 when it comes to graphics: actually I would give it a 3, because now, in March 2009, these graphics are a little bit out of date but because it's quite an old game i'll give it a 4.

The most important thing, the gameplay: i'll give a 5: because it is an superior game compared to most of it's genre.

So I'd say: give it a try! It's really the best RTS ever! (You should REALLY download the newest patch, it adds a lot of useful functions which you don't get in 1.0)

This is the "Grand Strategy" that I will judge all others against from now on. The next review (by "Wallace Wood", haha) is completely misleading. If you start asking yourselves the same questions he posits (why is a lower reputation good, for instance) just check out the forums or read the wiki. (higher reputation leads others to fear you, and eventually attack you because you are viewed as a bully).

See, this is the kind of game with numerous variables under the hood, all of which will make sense if you play for a while and really try to get into it.

As much as I love this game, I do realise that you really need to be a strategy lover you enjoy this game. It makes Risk look like tic-tac-toe Oh, and army size is only one measure of its power, contrary to Wallace's incorrect analisys. My guess is, this was Wallace's problem: even a game like Civilization is much more mainstream than this.

Me though, I love it!

I have been 'war games' since 1965.

After reading the same set of reviews, (excepting Mr. Pinto's) still posted, I purchased the game. It does have very nice graphics. The music and other sounds, while nice at first, are repetitive and quickly one learns do not enhance the experience.

The combat system is little better than Risk! Move your guys into the other guys space and wait while the computer randomly generates numbers with the larger army winning, almost invariably.

The diplomatic choices are reminiscent of 'Master of Orion' with little variation other than declare war or make peace actually effecting game play. (I have yet to get anything obviously positive from royal marriages!) Alliances one can take or leave. They make it possible to get into a nice little war where you can take some territory but should best be done only with semi-near countries. An alliance all the way across Europe does little to allow help from or to the other.

The economic game play is based on the usual slider method of fund allocation and is as clunky as most others of that ilk. There is the capacity to produce stuff. Units; naval, land and leader types. Improvements; Various to better income or make 'citizens' happier. You may also 'hire' advisers which add there values to the sliders. (I have yet to figure out why negative values are considered good for one's reputation.) There is the concept of 'trade centers' where your traders can setup 'shop' in order to gain extra income.

Traders arrive, by default, into a pool, as do colonists, diplomats, missionaries and spies. These cost money to deploy and after MANY hours of play I still do not know what to do with missionaries.

I usually play with the speed clocked to max as anything else is tortous in that the time is set to each day. A week turn or month turn would be much better. Set the 'stop' events to the most obvious such as a battle starts or ends. This is not the default.

The game only crashes occasionally on my HP Pavilion, 2G RAM, Centrino Duo 1.66 with GEForce Go NVidia 7600 256M, XPsp3.

In short, had I played this game before purchase I would not have purchased. While it does have an interesting premise it lacks in excitement. There is little in game play to do but wait for the clock to run and hope for pure luck.

It is easier than it seems to learn and the game has a wonderful interface. U ll be surprised on how many things you can control so easily with it. Good job Paradox. Just 3 stars on my score because u did better with Victoria but probably with all the expansions coming for EU3 you will be able to make it better and better. I appreciate this controlled price policy and have in fact bought them all to sustain development.

Brilliant idea, good graphics, good gameplay and lots of mods.

I have been strategy gaming since the early 90's via BBS door games and I have to say that this game is a dream come true, it has its flaws like any other game but all in all, it cannot be matched by the flashier simpler games out there, buy it.. you will be pleased.

And don't forget Napoleons Ambition, a great expansion to a great game, adding even more depth to this masterwork of a game.

Simply put it is the definitive historical grand strategy game of its kind. It is amazing and impressive as well as very elegantly done. This title is the embodiment of the old Avalon Hill board games for the digital generation. It is without a doubt a monumental product which was years in the making for Paradox.

If you are new to strategy gaming and have a hunger for historical pseudo simulations then this is the one and only title for you. 'nuff said...

This game was more difficult than I had perhaps anticipated, but that really seems to add to the whole reality of it.

As good as gaming gets, in my opinion.

5 stars!

Very impressive. Graphics can be a little blocky, but the mechanics of the game are a simpler, yet subtler, take on the likes of Hearts of Iron or Victoria.

Strategy gaming at its best.

This has to be one of the greatest games going, im am incredebly pleased with it. it is infact the only game i keep picking up and playing since its release!

i have to well done to paradox!

Matty

I am amazed at just how massive this game is, and yet no-one has written a review!

This game is Paradox at it's best. Little more can be said. Graphics are smooth and clean, gameplay is immersing and with just the right level of complexity. Historical accuracy (an issue very close to my heart) is on the money, and replayability is incredible.

This game is literally hundreds of hours of gameplay, without any feeling of wasted time afterwards, for both the experienced player or casual gamer.