Unlike Europa Universalis III, Crusader Kings II and other newer Paradox releases, this game has an sharp focus on historical events, when you play as a country. The paradox community is somewhat divided regarding this issue of pre-determined country developement. As you play a country, you change history. Is it logical to despite this have pre-determined historical events, that steers the world in the right direction?

If you prefer to learn history through this pre-determined play-style, this game is definitely for you. The most, I would say, popular mod: Victoria Improvement Project, take the historical accuracy and developement to even more extreme levels, as thousands of historical events add flavour to all nations. If you liked Europa Universalis II, you will like this.

Victoria allows the player to control a nation as it experiences the events of the 19th and early 20th centuries. The game includes a complex series of events including the Crimean War, American Civil War, the wars of German unification, and many more. While the interface of the sequel, Victoria 2, is much more navigable, Victoria provides a much more historically accurate playing experience. A very fun game, but difficult to master; a must-have for any Paradox fan. 4/5

Perhaps the most complex part of the whole EU series. Managing a XIX-centruy state is a multi-level and time demanding activity - but the rewards are equally satisfying. Be warned, however - this is not a game for those who dislike "spreadsheet strategies", nor for people who are just starting their adventure with the EU series.

This game is like Europa Universalis but set in the !9th cemtury. However, it offers much more development possibilities such as political or technology development. You can play more countries, even the very small ones. You have more ressources to manage. The century you evolve in is very interesting, because there are new nations emerging from colonies. You get action worldwide (one reason it is better than Europa Universalis). Something I appreciate very much is that you don't have to deal with rebel scums all the time; their number is reasonable. In EU, it was very disturbing and could prevent you from expanding your countrie (I got so tired of this that I stopped playing). Your troops won't suffer from attrition, something I appreciate. In EU, you could build armies and see them disappear without any action. Your boats won't also sink alone. The period the game depicts is shorter than EU, but you still have enough time to raise empires. You even get good music while playing the game (Beethoven, etc.). Believe it or not, the game has no tutorial, so it is a bit hard to learn (the number of hints displayed during the game is too limited). Anyway. I am sure I will return to this game in the future and try more countries.

Short: Simply Paradox. Complex, brilliant, historical, no tutorial. Less warfare, more politics.

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Long:

Unlike Victoria 2, this game would run smoothly on my laptop, so I have chosen to give it a try...and definitly, I don't regret. Thanks to the modders as well.

I admire the way how Paradox makes each game "fit" into its time era - in Crusader Kings, the land and family matters, in Hearts of Iron, efficiency of your war machine is the king, and with Victoria, you experience both the industrial revolution and national revivals. And so you have to use means of elegant couloir diplomacy to seek the balance in the world...or to become a hegemon and ruin all the 19th century world system much earlier than in 1914, if you wish.

Since the long 19th century was the time of changes, your modern state is being made...therefore you have plenty of choices for the internal politics. Which kind of industry to focus on? Make a huge byrocratic aparatus and pay the clerks, give freedom to the fat factoryowners, or just go on with agriculture, because as everyone knows, the grain is the future?!

I appreciate especially that the game does not pretend (unlike HoI) that the state you choose is homogenous. So as Austria, you face the problem that from Vienna, you have to oversee very different regions and nationalities. You rule both in industrial and advanced Bohemia and Moravia with Czechs, Germans and Jews, but also in agricultural Hungary with dominant Hungarians and then other small nationalities that don't like the the Hungarians very much...very real and challenging indeed!

PS. This good impression of the truly authentic 19th century if much more enhanced if you get the VIP (Victoria Improvement Pack) Mod immediately...recommended!

Best simulators modern state. In fact, there is no other. I love playing this game, but I have to warn beginners - this is not a piece of cake. Long it takes to implement the game mechanics, but as soon as you succeed, you'll be delighted. Huge selection of diplomatic options, management, conduct of war and economic offers for hundreds of hours of gameplay - you can choose any country from that period, so you will not get bored.

It is similar to EU2 and HoI2, but due to the age it takes place, it focuses a bit less on warfare, but more on other aspect like economy. Even so, it is still amazingly addictive. You will still need to get pass the learning curve, but it's worthy, I garantee.

Again, my one complaint about this game is, as often seems to happen with Paradox, there's no tutorial. Come on, Guys. Every company manages to put together at least a basic tutorial, especially on something this difficult! Having said that, though, after a couple of weeks of messing around figuring things out, I finally got into the game and it's incredible. Grand strategy at it's absolute best, with so much replayability it's pretty ridiculous. I've now been playing Victoria almost every day for a month and have barely scratched the surface. I could see playing this every day for a year and always finding something new to get involved with. Awesome game and for strategy fans or history buffs, an absolute must buy.

Very deep title with alot to learn which is made more difficult by lack of a tutorial, but once you start to get into it there's a very good game which will keep you playing for hours. While the engine is from the older EU2 era the game runs well even on a laptop. Highly recommend this game if you like the other paradox grand strategy games like EU2,HOI2. If your new to this style of game and this is your first then be prepared to be confused to start with, but stick with it and you will find a deep title that offers alot of replay value as you try different nations.

It's a great mix of economic and military strategy. The game has elements of EU-II and HOI2 with a completely new economic, and tech system. The AI is good but game play can lag at times and it can crash more often than you could expect. but its ok its got a monthly save system like HOI as opposed to EU-II's yearly based. But its still a great game.

A must-have in your Paradox selection! The vanilla version is a game with a great gameplay, it gives you extremely many oppertunities, but the game is filled with bugs! Especially when playing multiplayer. The expansion is a great improvement. It gives even more oppertunities and allows you to make your own history in details. Sadly this game also has several bugs in the multiplayer function which is a shame because of the lovely gameplay.