Europa Universalis II Preview
Paradox Entertainment producer Gustaf Magnuson gives us all the details on the sequel to Europa Universalis.
You couldn't find a more unlikely hit than Europa Universalis. Paradox Entertainment's look at what could only be described as the birth of modern European civilization was every bit as complex as those words would lead one to believe, requiring more of its players than any other game released this year. It fully encompassed the three centuries from 1492 to 1792, providing a panoramic overview of momentous events and the renowned leaders who shaped them. Few historical games have offered such a complete experience, and none has delved into minutiae with such obvious enthusiasm.
Not so unlikely is the recently announced development of Europa Universalis II for release this holiday season in North America. The commercial and critical success of the first game made such a sequel a certainty, although the speed with which it is arriving is perhaps a bit of a surprise. Rapid production time or not, Paradox seems to making sure that potential consumers will get their money's worth. A lot of additions are planned for the follow-up, most notably an expansion of the timeline by a full century. Gamers can now begin their conquests in 1419, at the tail end of the Hundred Years' War between England and France, and continue until the close of the Napoleonic era in 1820. The incorporation of these two periods--always popular ones for wargamers and strategy buffs--should enhance the appeal of Europa Universalis concept all on its own.
But there's still much more. In addition to the sheer charisma provided by the inclusion of Joan of Arc and Napoleon, the gameplay mechanics will be significantly altered. New battlefield technology--perhaps most importantly the first effective use of gunpowder during the closing engagements in the Hundred Years' War--should remind veteran players that this isn't the same old Europa Universalis. The first game's historical core is also being enhanced with new units that bring the Renaissance and Baroque periods to life. These include a number of additions that will provide more options on the battlefield, by land and by sea.
The scope of the original is being dramatically expanded. Along with the traditional European powers, players will be able to serve as the heads of state of some 140 nations spread out across the globe. Historical leaders and dynasties from even the smallest territories are being included to further boost the game's historical accuracy. Special effort seems to have been made in regard to the Far East. Feudal Japan and imperial China figure prominently on the list of new countries, as do events like the Japanese Shogunate civil war and Eastern religions and philosophies such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism.
Across-the-board interface and AI improvements are also being touted. Paradox is promising that Europa Universalis II will be easier to use than its forerunner, which attracted some negative press for being convoluted and lacking a instructive manual. Diplomacy, religion, and politics are expected to be refined, with more options for the player and a greater sense of individuality when dealing with the computer-controlled nations. You will be able to structure your state in nearly every way, choosing an ideology to promote and whether or not to embrace questionable methods such as espionage and the recruitment of mercenaries.
To gain a little more insight on the development of Europa Universalis II, we recently posed a few questions to Paradox Entertainment producer Gustaf Magnuson. Read on for the full interview.
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- Strategy First
- Paradox Inter.
- Historic Real-Time...
- Release: Nov 12, 2001
- ESRB: Everyone
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