Paradox Interactive announced Europa Universalis 5 with timing that almost feels on purpose, as the news came at the same time as the world learned it had a new Pope.
The Papacy has always been very important in Paradox’s Grand Strategy games and in Europa Universalis in particular, and the much-awaited white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel’s famous chimney pretty much at the same time as the game, code-named Project Caesar, was set to be revealed.
The game doesn’t yet have a release date, but the Steam page is already available for your wishlisting purposes.
The press release included a list of features, which you can read below. As you can see, the game will be bigger and longer, with new systems to make the experience deeper compared to the popular Europa Universalis IV.
- A New and Larger Map: Using a more accurate map projection to better reflect the size of the continents, Europa Universalis V lets you choose from any of hundreds of different societies. Start as a mighty emperor or a local chieftain or warlord anywhere on earth. A more detailed map allows for a greater number of nations and more varied topographical features.
- A Longer Time Scale: The game’s campaign starts in 1337, the year of the opening of the Hundred Years’ War – the great struggle over the French crown that marked the zenith of the late Medieval era. Lead your nation through the Renaissance, the Enlightenment and other historical ages, choosing how you will adjust to an ever changing world.
- Population Based System: Departing from the familiar province-focused system of earlier games in the series, Europa Universals V represents the population of each province in detail. Manage cultural and religious tensions in your realm, deal with estates as they wax and wane in power, and meet the basic and luxury demands of this varied population.
- Thousands of Historical Events: Watch history unfold before you as the great moments of the past make their mark on your game. Dynamically responding to the game situation, these historical events challenge players to repeat or improve on the great accomplishments of the past.
- Detailed Production and Trade System: Build farms, plantations, crafting buildings and factories to provide goods to satisfy your economic and military needs. Or, if your nation can’t provide the things you need, trade for them from neighboring nations.Some buildings require specific goods to be in supply, so you either invest in new industries or make a deal with your neighbors. Use roads, ports and fleets to expand your trading region and enrich your nation by managing the wealth of the world.
- Design a Nation to Suit Your Situation: Adopt policies and laws to adapt to your situation as you discover new technologies and ideas. Move towards greater centralization or a looser power sharing arrangement. Build an army based on masses of manpower or a more elite professional force. Will you be tolerant of other faiths and cultures, or advocate for a single faith and single culture? A world of possibilities awaits you.
- Deep Military and Diplomatic Systems: Dominate the world through either sword or pen. Rally mercenaries, levies or professional soldiers to your flag as you cut a blood path through history. But be careful! A bloody war fought with levies has a direct impact on your population. Consider a lighter touch, using royal marriages, trade treaties and alliances to expand your power and preserve peace.
It’s worth mentioning that the 4th installment of the series has been extremely long-lived, with its community going strong for twelve years since its release in August 2013. While the experience certainly was never stale, it was certainly about time to get a successor.
Below you can check out the announcement trailer.
You can also check out the full announcement livestream on demand, with the developers themselves introducing the game.
