Summary
After a long time of being talked about in Tinto Talks as Project Caesar,Europa Universalis 5has finally been announced, and looks set to become one of the most ambitious grand strategy games ever made. Spanning 5 centuries of history, players can look forward to leading their nation to glory in a world that is apparently more alive than ever.
While there is no release date as of yet, plenty was already known about the game, and even more has been revealed. There’s a lot to look forward to, with plenty of depth being added to the game. The following are just a handful of confirmed features forEuropa Universalis 5.
61337 Start Date
Experience The Hundred Years War, The Black Death, & The Start Of The Renaissance
InEuropa Universalis 4, the earliest start date was 1444, but in the fifth edition of the grand strategy series, players will be starting out in the chaotic 14th century, more specifically in 1337 at the start of the Hundred Years' War between the Kingdoms of France and England.
Being able to experience the lateMiddle Ages, one of the most popular periods of history, will be great for newcomers to the series, while offering veterans ofEU4a fresh new challenge. With the Black Death arriving just a decade or so into the game, the challenge will be real, and players have exciting events to partake in and can determine how the Middle Ages ends. Ending in the early 19th century, players have 5 centuries to explore, with new ages beginning every 100 years or so. The first age supposedly only lasts a few months.
5The Map Is Incredibly Detailed, Especially When It Comes To Terrain
Terrain Is Split Into Topography, Vegetation, & Climate
Rather than each part of the map just being defined by one variable,Europa Universalis 5will consider three things: topography, vegetation, and climate. For example, an area could be covered in mountains that have an extremely cold climate and low vegetation, making them different from temperate mountains where vegetation still grows.
The amount of vegetation is one of the metrics behind population size, while topography will have ahuge effect on warfare. This should also help each region feel unique.
4Populations & Estates
Populations Have Different Cultures, Religions, & Social Classes, Which Impact Estates
Populations or ‘pops’ are essential for everything inEuropa Universalis V, from determining control levels and the size of armies to dictating how much money can be made. Every population has a Culture, Religion, and Social Class to which they belong. Social Classes include peasants, laborers, burghers, clergy, and nobility.
Everything is depicted as a percentage, so for example, in 1337 England, the vast majority would have theEnglish Cultureand Catholic Faith, but there would also be those with the Northumbrian or Welsh Cultures. At this time, game screenshots also show that around 90% of the population fall into the peasant Social Class, whereas less than 1% are burghers. This will naturally fluctuate between realms and time periods. Social Classes then feed into Estates, and players will have to please the Estates by giving them liberties, such as allowing nobles to fortify, at the cost of them becoming more powerful.
3Cabinet Members
Assign Skilled Characters To Specific Tasks
Unlike the previous installment, where nations had advisors,EU5introduces Cabinets and Cabinet Members. This appears to be similar toCrusader Kings 3’scouncil, as Cabinet Members will be granted tasks. Players will be able to choose individual characters for their Cabinet, and depending on their goals, they may appoint a military expert or someone skilled in administration, for example.
At the start of the game, most Cabinets will only have two members, but this will increase over time. Tasks for the Cabinet include increasing control, stabilizing the country, and promoting culture.
2Societal Values
Determine The Identity Of Nations
Societal Values determine the identity of individual nations, and there are 11 categories with nations able to lean one way or another. For example, a nation may be traditionalist rather thaninnovative. Natural factors can push these in one direction or the other, but players can use Cabinet Members to try and push a nation toward specific Societal Values.
1Markets
Build More Markets & Expand Them, Potentially Conquering The World With Trade
Markets inEuropa Universalis Vare far from static and can be created and destroyed, and grow or shrink in size. Populations will buy from their local market, and they will only be able to acquire the goods on sale. To make luxury goods available to them or even make sure populations are fed, players will need to import goods from other markets.
Trade is two-way and can supposedly be extremely strong if players invest in their markets. World conquest doesn’t have to be achieved with arms, as players may choose todo so with Trade.
