Europa Universalis IV (2013)

Developer: Paradox Development Studio, Paradox Tinto
Publisher: Paradox Interactive
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
Genres: Simulation, Strategy
Rating: 4.4 of 5, 136,897 player ratings
Typical playtime: about 311 hours
Where to get it: Steam

The 3D catalog: game boxes on wooden shelves, with the cat sitting at the counter next to its greeting.

The catalog in 3D

The same catalog has a room you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real games from it when you tell them what you feel like playing. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this game is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

More games like this Watch the trailer

or watch the trailer on YouTube

How it feels

You guide a nation through centuries of intricate diplomacy, war, and economics in a methodical, data-rich sandbox that rewards careful planning and patience.

strategiccomplexgrand scalehistorical simulationslow paceddeepreplayablemanagement heavy

What players say

Players love the depth and replayability, but nearly everyone warns about the massive DLC cost and that many essential mechanics are locked behind paid content. Reviewers also note a punishing learning curve with no tutorial, and the late lack of official Chinese localization frustrates some.

Screenshots

More games like this

More by Paradox Interactive

This page is from Underplayed Gems, a catalog of older and overlooked games. Not quite it? You can browse by platform and genre, or take this one into the 3D catalog and ask the Catbot for something closer.