Choosing a Paradox Game

[Babbler]

So I got some money over the holidays, and I been thinking of getting one of those Paradox grand strategy games, like Europa Universalis, Victoria, Hearts of Iron, Crusader Kings, etc. I don't have the most powerful computer, and I don't want spend too much money, so forget some of the newer ones. Which one is best sutied for me, given that I am new to Paradox's style of game?

 

[Maniacal]

Hearts of Iron 2 or Europa Universailles (if you're machine isn't good enough for 3 then go with 2, there are some good mods for it I've heard about) are usually the easier ones. Crusader Kings is very good but a completely different knid of game from anything you have played before (the dynastic goal takes getting used to, but it s good). Victoria is the most complicated but certainly awesome.

 

[GoodGame]

Demo EU3, and maybe HoI3. I think most strat gamers would find a EU game accessible, but HoI3 looks like its something for someone who has been following HoI all along. I'm guessing HoI1/HoI2 are pretty accessible.


EU3 complete is very cheap right now on Amazon.com. The Strat pack 6 is also very cheap on amazon (~$20) and has all the old paradox games (Victoria, etc..)

 

[Maniacal]

Yes, definitely try the demos for EUIII and HoI3 to see if they will work.

 

[shortguy]

Is there a demo for EUIII complete? Because the original demo was really, really awful and doesn't do the current incarnation of the game justice.

 

[ComradeDavo]

HOI:3! Despite some of the negative stuff it recieved on release, it's fully playable now, and all it needs is a patch or 2 of ai improvements, which by the time you've really learned it will be around soon enough anyways!

I think HOI is deffo the best introduction to paardox games. If Vicky 2 is any good (which i'm sure it will be) i'd reccomend getting that after release as well, the first Vicky is great it just needs updating to a more modern look/feel.

 

[Luckymoose]

HOI:3! Despite some of the negative stuff it recieved on release, it's fully playable now, and all it needs is a patch or 2 of ai improvements, which by the time you've really learned it will be around soon enough anyways!

I think HOI is deffo the best introduction to paardox games. If Vicky 2 is any good (which i'm sure it will be) i'd reccomend getting that after release as well, the first Vicky is great it just needs updating to a more modern look/feel.

3D does not a good game make.

 

[Maniacal]

Is there a demo for EUIII complete? Because the original demo was really, really awful and doesn't do the current incarnation of the game justice.

At this stage it would be more of a "can my computer run it?" demo, and yes there is a new demo, the Heir to the Throne expansion has a demo.

 

[cardgame]

One more vote to EU3 it is very fun, even vanilla, but IN adds a LOT of stuff just reading through AARs

 

[Maniacal]

The expansions, especially Heir ot the Throne, significantly evolve the game.

 

[Joecoolyo]

If your new to the stuff, I'd recommend starting off playing with EU. It's much more accessible and easy than say HOI. Even though itself compared to other strategy games is pretty complex.

 

[PhroX]

If your new to the stuff, I'd recommend starting off playing with EU. It's much more accessible and easy than say HOI. Even though itself compared to other strategy games is pretty complex.

My thoughts too.

 

[Fëanor]

So I got some money over the holidays, and I been thinking of getting one of those Paradox grand strategy games, like Europa Universalis, Victoria, Hearts of Iron, Crusader Kings, etc. I don't have the most powerful computer, and I don't want spend too much money, so forget some of the newer ones. Which one is best sutied for me, given that I am new to Paradox's style of game?

Can you give us any idea of what your hardware is like?
i would definately not recommand HOI3, since even on good hardware (like mine) the game becomes so slow its practically unplayable after a while.
My old laptop had similar problems with EU3 so depending on your hardware you might want to look for something else.

For the Glory (EUII) has a demo, you should definitely try it out, should work on practically any hardware.
http://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/showthread.php?t=443261

 

[GoodGame]

3D does not a good game make.

He didn't say 3D, btw. To counterpoint, ASCII can make one's eyes bleed. E.g. Dwarf Fortress.

 

[Fr8monkey]

If WWII is your thing HOI3 is good, but it has a high learning threshold. If you aren't familiar with the game, start with HOI2. Also the graphics requirement is practically non-existent.

 

[Maniacal]

You will want a decent processor though.

He didn't say 3D, btw. To counterpoint, ASCII can make one's eyes bleed. E.g. Dwarf Fortress.

DF is gorgeous.

 

[ComradeDavo]

3D does not a good game make.

I don't care about the 3D, it's a better game than HOI:2, as i've said all it needs is a bit more AI work which is easy enough to patch.

 

[Tekee]

HOI2 and Hearts of Iron is so hard!
Whoever is saying it is the simplest is lying!
I played all these games. Crusader Kings is the easiet and most accesible.
EU is also very accesible.
Victoria... only with the revolutions expansion does it become accesible!
HOI.... NEVER UNDERSTOOD IT! Too many menus and ugly.

I like Victoria the best. But only with Revolutions expansion!
Cursader Kings is also vital to have its expansion pack!
These "expansions" are more like "patches" that make the game playable and not frustrating.

 

[Maniacal]

Hearts of iron 2 I learned a LOT from the AARs here and a lot just from putting time into it. Now I can play it fairly decently.

 

[cardgame]

Crusader Kings... easy?



It is impossible to do anything, I need like a gazillion prestige to do any actions and it would take decades to gain enough prestige.