Games Worth Revisiting – Europa Universalis: Rome

There was always a lingering feeling that Europa Universalis: Rome was lacking something compared to other successful Paradox Interactive strategy games. Ultimately several people found Europa Universalis: Rome to be lacking in the depth and replay value required to remain interested, leaving it to gather dust. It was stuck between the excellent character development and simulation of Crusader Kings and the in-depth nation management offered by Europa Universalis III. While Europa Universalis: Rome was decent at what it achieved it lacked the all-round brilliance or in-depth simulation of one key gameplay mechanic to set it apart from other popular grand strategy games.

The Vae Victis expansion added several new features, improved the user interface, revised the military AI, and fixed many remaining issues. Characters in Europa Universalis: Rome Vae Victis now had greater depth with each character having their own personal goals and agendas. While governments were improved with the introduction of the senate for republics and courts for monarchies and tribes. The addition of factional missions added another element of depth to Europa Universalis: Rome as the player could be assigned missions to complete by the most powerful faction in the senate, their council or the church. Success would grant the player useful rewards while failure could see the player punished for their incompetence.

Playing a republic government got a lot more interesting when the senate was introduced with the Vae Victis expansion. Whether a hindrance or a blessing the senate added political intrigue and depth to nations such as Rome. No longer could one just do as they pleased the senate had to approve their actions. Each faction in the senate have their own agenda and if they held the balance of power the senate could block the actions of the player if they did not coincide with the ruling faction’s agenda. So the player has to try and grow the power of those factions which support their agenda while weakening the power of the factions who appose it. All this while combating the rising power of the Populist faction in the senate, who if they do not get their way could start a civil war.

So if you left Europa Universalis: Rome to gather dust soon after it was released perhaps it is time to revisit it with the Vae Victis expansion. If you are still undecided perhaps this interesting after-action report (AAR) by Paradox Interactive forum member Phargle will spark your curiosity. It perfectly captures some of the new political features and intrigue introduce by Vae Victis to Europa Universalis: Rome.