Europa Universalis 5 impresses and overwhelms with big ideas, new and old

Strategy games aren’t defined by polygon counts and ray-traced lighting, the regular markers of spectacle in most other videogame genres. A game like Dwarf Fortress can be spectacular with no graphical depictions of reality, because its spreadsheet simulation is so vast as to feel like a reality of its own. The long-awaited Europa Universalis 5 is spectacular, not because of its visual fidelity (though it has touches of beauty), but because of the sheer size and complexity of its simulation. At first blush, this early build of EU5 overwhelmed me. As I acclimated to it, I found an emotional and intense strategic challenge unlike anything else I’ve played. When it releases, Europa Universalis 5 will perhaps be the best way to experience the mathematical sublime on PC. Continue reading Europa Universalis 5 impresses and overwhelms with big ideas, new and old MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best grand strategy games, Best strategy games, Best 4X games

May 8, 2025 - 19:36

Europa Universalis 5 impresses and overwhelms with big ideas, new and old

Strategy games aren’t defined by polygon counts and ray-traced lighting, the regular markers of spectacle in most other videogame genres. A game like Dwarf Fortress can be spectacular with no graphical depictions of reality, because its spreadsheet simulation is so vast as to feel like a reality of its own. The long-awaited Europa Universalis 5 is spectacular, not because of its visual fidelity (though it has touches of beauty), but because of the sheer size and complexity of its simulation. At first blush, this early build of EU5 overwhelmed me. As I acclimated to it, I found an emotional and intense strategic challenge unlike anything else I’ve played. When it releases, Europa Universalis 5 will perhaps be the best way to experience the mathematical sublime on PC.

Continue reading Europa Universalis 5 impresses and overwhelms with big ideas, new and old

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best grand strategy games, Best strategy games, Best 4X games