Europa Universalis Video Game Series
The highly acclaimed series of historical strategies, which Paradox Development Studio is responsible for creating and developing. The brand is one of the most important in the publishing offer of Paradox Interactive.
The first installment of the series - Europa Universalis - was released in 2000 and almost immediately gained immense popularity among strategy fans. The game by the Swedes from Paradox Development Studio was praised primarily for the richness of historical realities and the complexity of the gameplay mechanics. The success encouraged the devs to develop the idea, which resulted in the sequel released in 2001 - Europa Universalis II. However, fans had to wait as long as six years for the next part. In early 2007, the game premiered Europa Universalis III, which saw four major expansions over the next three years: Napoleon's Ambition (2007), In Nomine (2008), Heir to the Throne (2009), and Divine Wind (2010). In 2013, the game Europa Universalis IV was released. The title was based on well-known principles, with the inclusion of a few tweaks and a tweak to the graphics. The game's action spanned nearly four centuries, beginning in 1444 (the Battle of Varna) and ending in 1821 (a few months before Napoleon's death). Also, many expansions were released for it, modifying and expanding the gameplay mechanics. The most important of these are Conquest of Paradise (2014), Wealth of Nations (2014), Res Publica (2014), Art of War (2014), El Dorado (2015), Common Sense (2015), The Cossacks (2015), and Mare Nostrum (2016). The series is also completed by a spin-off - Europa Universalis: Rome 2008.
Cycle Europa Universalis is distinguished primarily by its grandeur. Players have the opportunity to take on the role of ""gray eminence"" and direct the development of a selected nation over the course of several centuries (usually the period between the 15th and 18th centuries). The arena of struggle is the entire world, divided into thousands of historical regions and provinces.
The gameplay combines military, economic, diplomatic, cultural, and even religious aspects. The player's task is to achieve world domination through territorial, economic and political expansion. The game is characterized by a considerable degree of complexity. The developers' goal was also to reproduce the historical background as faithfully as possible, hence hundreds of authentic characters, places and events appear in the games of the series. During the game, however, it is possible to completely change the course of history.
Among the undoubted strengths of the series Europa Universalis include a thriving fan community, which often enriches the content of the games through free mods. An example of this is, among others, the mod for Europa Universalis III - Magna Mundi, which, due to its popularity, lived to see a commercial release in the form of a separate title. Also worth mentioning is the game For The Glory, which was based on Europa Universalis II and the fan-made mod AGCEEP. The title was developed by Crystal Empire Games studio and released in 2009 by Paradox Interactive as an official modification of the basic game. The game was an attempt to refresh the older installment of the series, taking into account some of the mechanics from the Europa Universalis III.
Europa Universalis Series Evolution
2025
Europa Universalis V
2013
Europa Universalis IV
2009
For The Glory
2008
Europa Universalis: Rome
2007
Europa Universalis III
2003
Europa Universalis Crown of the North
2001
Europa Universalis II
2000
Europa Universalis
Europa Universalis V
November 4, 2025
Strategy, Economic, Grand Strategy, Historical, Internet, Co-op, Multiplayer, Singleplayer, War Strategy.
The fifth main installment of the best-selling grand strategy series from Paradox Interactive. Europa Universalis V brings a lot of improvements and new features compared to EU4, including expanded diplomacy, more advanced economy, as well as changes to military and logistics.
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Europa Universalis IV
August 13, 2013
Strategy, Economic, Grand Strategy, Historical, Internet, Multiplayer, RTS, Singleplayer, War Strategy.
The fourth installment in a highly popular strategic game franchise - Europa Universalis. The title was developed by Paradox Development Studio. In accordance with the tradition of the series, Europa Universalis IV lets you command and develop a chosen nation over the course of several centuries. This time the historical framework spans from 11 November 1444 to 2 January 1821. The gameplay is based on classic solutions of the 4X genre (explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate). The player has to manage his provinces, develop new technologies, command armies, and conduct diplomacy. Apart from AI enemies the game offers online multiplayer for up to 32 people.
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Expansion Packs:
- Europa Universalis IV: Conquest of Paradise January 14, 2014
- Europa Universalis IV: Wealth of Nations May 30, 2014
- Europa Universalis IV: Res Publica July 16, 2014
- Europa Universalis IV: Art of War October 30, 2014
- Europa Universalis IV: El Dorado February 26, 2015
- Europa Universalis IV: Common Sense June 9, 2015
- Europa Universalis IV: The Cossacks December 1, 2015
- Europa Universalis IV: Mare Nostrum April 5, 2016
- Europa Universalis IV: Rights of Man October 11, 2016
- Europa Universalis IV: Mandate of Heaven April 6, 2017
- Europa Universalis IV: Third Rome June 14, 2017
- Europa Universalis IV: Cradle of Civilization November 16, 2017
- Europa Universalis IV: Rule Britannia March 20, 2018
- Europa Universalis IV: Dharma September 6, 2018
- Europa Universalis IV: Golden Century December 11, 2018
- Europa Universalis IV: Emperor June 9, 2020
- Europa Universalis IV: Leviathan April 27, 2021
- Europa Universalis IV: Origins November 11, 2021
- Europa Universalis IV: Lions of the North September 13, 2022
- Europa Universalis IV: Domination April 18, 2023
- Europa Universalis IV: King of Kings November 6, 2023
- Europa Universalis IV: Winds of Change May 8, 2024
For The Glory
November 10, 2009
Strategy, Internet, LAN, Multiplayer, Singleplayer, Turn-based.
A strategy game developed by Crystal Empire Games, based on AGCEEP (Alternative Grand Campaign / Event Exchange Project) – a fan modification for Europa Universalis II. For the Glory offers the ability to take the reins of one of over 180 countries, and control it over the span of 400 years (from 1419 to 1820). During the gameplay, we assume control over every aspect of our country, including internal and foreign politics, economy, diplomacy, or military conflicts. The game offers full freedom to achieve your goal – we can decide to focus on trade and economic growth or expansion and warmongering diplomacy. Compared to the original game, the described title introduces, among others, improved user interface, and a vast number of technical fixes, as well as new campaigns and around 10 thousand authentic historical events that increase the realism of the gameplay even more.
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Europa Universalis: Rome
April 15, 2008
Strategy, Economic, Grand Strategy, Internet, LAN, Multiplayer, RTS, Singleplayer, Ancient History, Ancient Rome, War Strategy.
A spin-off of the popular Europa Universalis series, based on the engine and mechanics from the third installment, released in 2007. In contrast to every previous installment, Europa Universalis: Rome takes us to Antiquity, concentrating on the Roman Empire from 280 B.C. to 27 B.C. – from the First Punic War up to the birth of the grand Roman Empire. When it comes to mechanics, the gameplay isn’t at all different from what we could've seen in the other major entries of the series. During the game, we assume control of a chosen faction, taking care of its culture, religion, treasury, military forces, technological advancement, or diplomatic contacts. There are 50 playable factions at the player’s disposal, belonging to one of nine great cultures of that time, including Celts, Goths, Egyptians, and Romans. As a trademark of the series, each nation’s unique traits were carefully recreated, including historical dependencies that influence the events in the Antique world.
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Expansion Packs:
- Europa Universalis: Rome - Vae Victis November 19, 2008
Europa Universalis III
January 23, 2007
Strategy, Economic, Grand Strategy, Internet, LAN, Multiplayer, RTS, Singleplayer, War Strategy.
The third major installment of the popular strategy game series that is being developed by Paradox Entertainment since 2001. The action of Europa Universalis III takes us to the middle of the 15th century and lets us control the development of a chosen nation throughout the period of around 350 years. The gameplay mechanics do not significantly deviate from the solutions known from the previous installments of the series. While playing, we are responsible for such aspects of a state’s functioning as the diplomacy, trade, economy, religion, and military. There are over 250 playable nation at players’ disposal and the fun takes place on a map consisting of over 1700 provinces and sea zones located on all continents. The title is traditionally set in historical setting and faithfully recreates the differences between nations or the historical development of science and technology. Among the minor novelties, the most noteworthy one is the modernized and more user-friendly interface.
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Expansion Packs:
- Europa Universalis III: Napoleon's Ambition August 22, 2007
- Europa Universalis III: In Nomine May 28, 2008
- Europa Universalis III: Heir to the Throne December 15, 2009
- Europa Universalis III: The Divine Wind December 14, 2010
Europa Universalis Crown of the North
July 22, 2003
Strategy, Grand Strategy, Internet, LAN, Multiplayer, RTS, Singleplayer.
A spin-off of a series encompassing complex strategy games developed by Paradox. The game utilizes an engine that was used previously in the production of Europa Universalis II. Contrary to its incredibly extensive predecessor that recreated 400 years of history as recorded by 180 real-existing countries, Crown of the North focuses on a significantly shorter period (years 1275-1340) and three Scandinavian nations only, including the Swedes, the Danes and the Norwegians. When Europe is ruled by aristocracy and clergy, or when a civil war breaks out in Sweden, the player assumes control of one of six available factions in order to influence the lives of those inhabiting northern parts of the Old Continent. The game offers three new campaigns based on the mechanics used in Europa Universalis II and capable of recreating advanced political, economic, military and trade-related dependencies that could occur in the period. All of this is complemented by an alternative campaign set in Vinland - a region of North America discovered by Vikings.
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Europa Universalis II
November 20, 2001
Strategy, Economic, Grand Strategy, Internet, LAN, Multiplayer, RTS, Singleplayer, War Strategy.
A sequel to the extensive real-time strategy game by Paradox Interactive that lets us lead the development of the biggest European superpowers throughout hundreds of years. Europa Universalis II is much bigger and spans across not three but four hundred years of global history (1419-1820). Contrary to its predecessor, the sequel lets us lead one of 180 actual countries, including such ones as the Chinese Empire or African tribes. Gameplay-wise, the developers adjusted all key mechanics like economy, politics, and diplomacy to match the global scale and introduced a myriad of enhancements, including a scenario editor. The game map was expanded with 120 new provinces. The role of religion was also recreated in greater detail. The improved graphics faithfully reflect the design and uniqueness of the available nations.
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Europa Universalis
October 20, 2000
Strategy, Grand Strategy, Internet, LAN, Multiplayer, RTS, Singleplayer.
An epic grand strategy game by Paradox Development Studio, the action of which takes place throughout 300 years of turbulent history of the Old Continent — since the Great Discoveries (1492) to the Napoleonic Wars (1792). In Europa Universalis, we can lead one of the superpowers of that time, such as Spain, England, Prussia, France, Portugal, or Poland, and our actions will shape the fate of this country as well as its neighbors. While playing, we have influence over the development of army, economy, and diplomacy, we can also explore new lands, gain resources, and fight or form alliances with other superpowers. The game map consists of more than 700 provinces to conquer or colonize. We will encounter more than 2000 actual personas and historical events. The developers also faithfully recreated the appearance of the military, flags, and heraldry of more than 60 actual countries.
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Europa Universalis Series News
It took less than two weeks: the first player conquered the world in Europa Universalis 5. „It looked like absolute hell”
Less than two weeks were enough for someone to conquer the entire world in Europa Universalis V.
video games
November 18, 2025
How to move capital in EU5. You will need books, money and more
I don’t have to tell you how important capital is for a country. Of course, you can move it to a different place in Europa Universalis 5, however, like in real life, it is not so easy.
How to
November 10, 2025
Let's explain Antagonism in EU5. All you need to know
Europa Universalis 5 is finally out. Developers prepared for us some intriguing mechanics and Antagonism is one of them.
How to
November 7, 2025
How levies work in EU5. How to rise them and generate
Levies in Europa Universalis 5 allow you to increase your combat capabilities. However, it is good to learn how they work and how to generate them. You can find out more about it here.
How to
November 6, 2025
Vulkan or DX12 in EU5? Let's make the choice easier
Are you unsure whether you should choose Vulkan or DX12 in Europa Universalis 5? Here you will learn what is the preferred choice for the majority of players.
How to
November 6, 2025
How to get Casus Belli in EU5. Declaring war is easier than you think
Would you like to start conquering other countries in Europa Universalis 5? You'll need a good reason to do so! Our guide will teach you how to get Casus Belli.
How to
November 5, 2025
Issues with Claim Throne CB in EU5? You're not alone
Have you noticed an option missing after finishing a conflict started with Claim Throne Casus Belli in Europa Universalis 5? It's a known problem and here you will learn more about it.
How to
November 5, 2025
EU5 crashing at startup? There might be a solution
Having trouble launching Europa Universalis 5 without it crashing? Many users are experiencing the same issue. Thankfully, there is one solution worth trying.
How to
November 4, 2025
New on Steam. Great celebration for fans of strategy and „Grand Theft Cthulhu”
This week, games such as Syberia Remastered, Football Manager 26, Tavern Keeper, Long Drive North, Dead Static Drive, Whiskerwood, and version 1.0 of Voidtrain will be released on Steam.
video games
November 3, 2025
Paradox will completely change economy in new installment of its grand strategy. It will be an important part of a „living, dynamic world”
The developers of Europa Universalis 5 have introduced gamers to another of the game's key mechanics. This time, the focus is on trade and economics.
video games
September 16, 2025