The iconic Europa Universalis saga from Paradox will return very soon with its fifth installment, Europa Universalis V, which once again promises to bring us the best of Grand Strategy. Just as we’re already used to, this time we’ll enjoy battles, disputes, and political conflicts on a global scale, which will have taken place, or will take place, throughout nearly 500 years of real history. This kind of strategy is not for everyone, you know it: unlike turn-based strategy or real-time strategy, these kinds of games propose gigantic world-scale scenarios, in which we’ll be able to decide the fate of humanity.
Europa Universalis V is based on the franchise’s central concept of developing entire nations in a world of great historical accuracy, which involves a highly detailed diplomacy system and a very sophisticated economic model. Of course, we can expect greater logistical depth and an updated military system, which will challenge even the most experienced strategy players. Up next, right below these lines you can enjoy the Official Announcement Trailer, courtesy of IGN:
Rule, Decide, Negotiate, Conquer
The fifth installment of this popular saga invites us on a journey through nearly 500 years of real history, aiming to become one of the best strategy games of all time, in which we’ll have in our hands the fate of hundreds of nations and societies around the world, simulated with unprecedented depth and complexity. In it we’ll be able to rule the territory we choose, guiding the destiny of millions of people from the end of the Middle Ages to the age of revolutions, from the mighty Yuan dynasty to the Italian city-states, and from the warrior clans of feudal Japan to the Pope himself.
Obviously we’ll be able to decide the path our nation will take, although not without accepting the consequences of each decision we make, tracing a new history entirely written by our choices. The Hundred Years’ War, the Protestant Reformation, the collapse of Ancient Dynasties, or the rise of new ones, you can expect all of it in this adventure, as a result of your decisions. And yes, we’ll be able to explore alternate histories as we shape the world in our own way, even changing key events from real history: what would have happened if England had managed to impose its continental claims? What if China had been a global empire? What if Mongol supremacy in Russia had persisted?
As you may have noticed, Europa Universalis V, in addition to being a grand strategy game, will take us on a journey of discovery and exploration, in which, although we’ll be able to make decisions that lead nations down paths different from the real ones, we’ll always have to take into account important and weighty factors. Diplomacy, to name one of those factors, will be essential to consolidate our dynasty in different kingdoms, or to build an alliance that becomes unstoppable. Wit that in mind, everything will be possible in this fifth installment.
Just as we would expect, not everything will be politics and military action. The development of society and the management of its essential resources will be key aspects we’ll have to take care of. We’ll have to build a strong and long-lasting economic infrastructure within the most detailed trade system seen so far in any installment of the franchise, as well as shape society while keeping in mind the historical context of each specific moment, choosing social values in territories that span different provinces and that may be divided by religion or culture. Without a doubt, this fifth installment aims to be the most detailed and accomplished entry that Paradox has brought us as part of the Europa Universalis saga.
So…
Europa Universalis V does not yet have an official release date, although we can expect news very soon, just as its Steam page suggests, as does its official website. As usual, you’ll find all the links right below, so you can add it to your Wishlist without wasting time. And speaking of time, since we have to wait, how about you drop by the comments and tell us your opinion about this ambitious proposal? You know gamer, we’ll be reading you! 🙂
Images Source: IGN Official YouTube Channel, Europa Universalis V on Steam, Europa Universalis Official Website
