Does anyone here play the historical Paradox games?

We've got quite a few history-enthusiasts here, so I thought the question was worth asking!

For those who are unaware, the Paradox "grand strategy" games are a bunch of computer strategy games with historical settings, where you choose to play as a nation, and you lead it through the game- whether you rule what you have benevolently, or turn irredentist and invade everyone around you is up to the player.


A screenshot of the game, and some Prussian and French troops fighting!

There's a bunch of those games, but I have only played Victoria 2; the one pictured above; that one's set from 1836-1936 and thus happens to coincide with my main era of historical interest and collecting. I mostly have better things to do nowadays (maintaining the catalogue, moderating a subreddit, and applying for Uni), but I just dug my old game files out and plan to waste a few hours unifying the German states.

I have played at one point ! But my save files conveniently disappeared a few months ago... let's just say that being an 18- year old in second year Uni (yay stats and econ!) leaves much less free time to play videogames. Back in windows XP days, I played Age of Empires III and sid meyer's Civilizations. Not as historical, but still an interesting lot of strategy games!
LRC

I really enjoyed Europa Universalis, playing with Ireland I colonized most of North America and Ireland became a super power but I haven't played in a while. I also own Hearts of Iron 3 on Steam but I haven't played it yet as it has a very high learning curve and I don't have the patience for it right now.

I spend most my time playing games from the Total War series with Rome and Attila being my favorites. The base games are a lot simpler than grand strategy games but with mods you can add extra elements to the games making them much more of a challenge and increasing their historical accuracy.

Oh Paradox. Ocassionally, but they take away so much precious time.

I played a little of Europa Universalis IV. Really interesting and nicely done game, even if it takes a few hours to get used to all the settings. I tried to play Prussia a first but got destroyed in a few years by Austria. I did start a game with England after that, that was quite okay but I left it because other games were calling me.
Moreover, I played a bit online with two of my friends but the game keep crashing for no reason so I was a bit disappointed.

I actually played a lot more the Total War games... Rome (I had a lot of fun on this one but now it's getting a bit old), Medieval II (less hours on it than Rome, but not less fun) and more recently a bit of Napoleon, but also Shogun II (really enjoyed that one too).

These days I have less time to play videogames. I usually play a lot during july and augustus but not that much during the rest of the year.

EUIV seems to be by far the most popular game, HOI4 second, and maybe Crusader Kings third. My pet favourite Vicky 2 is at the unpopular end it seems.

I remember trying EUIV, but I could never get the hang of it. The Holy Roman Empire mechanic is almost as complicated as the HRE was in real life, and don't even get me started on the budget.... Vic 2 is far more my speed. I also tried Hearts of Iron 4 (HOI4), set during WWII, but that was even more complicated to play.

I don‘t play computer games anymore but I used to like the Total War series, I remember Medieval total war to be quite fun but yes time consuming.

Quote: "CassTaylor"​EUIV seems to be by far the most popular game, HOI4 second, and maybe Crusader Kings third. My pet favourite Vicky 2 is at the unpopular end it seems.
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​I remember trying EUIV, but I could never get the hang of it. The Holy Roman Empire mechanic is almost as complicated as the HRE was in real life, and don't even get me started on the budget.... Vic 2 is far more my speed. I also tried Hearts of Iron 4 (HOI4), set during WWII, but that was even more complicated to play.
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​If you're talking about budget to buy the games, I recommend you g2a (nothing illegal). You can get very good prices for steam keys. I think I paid like 7€ for EUIV + tenths of addons, which is ridiculous looking at the actual price of the game (not even counting the addons...).

Quote: "apuking"​I don‘t play computer games anymore but I used to like the Total War series, I remember Medieval total war to be quite fun but yes time consuming.

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Medieval Total War and Rome Total War nostalgy

Quote: "Choucas"

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​​If you're talking about budget to buy the games, I recommend you g2a (nothing illegal). You can get very good prices for steam keys. I think I paid like 7€ for EUIV + tenths of addons, which is ridiculous looking at the actual price of the game (not even counting the addons...).

​I was actually talking about the money mechanic in the game (taxes, army pay etc.) but my personal budget to buy the game is also another reason why I am not a regular player of EUIV.

But I'll look at that site for HOI4, maybe.