Europa Universalis V

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Europa Universalis V
Europa Universalis V cover art.png
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Developer Paradox Tinto
Publisher Paradox Interactive
Director Johan Andersson
Composer Håkan Glänte
Series Europa Universalis
Engine Clausewitz Engine
Platform Windows
Release4 November 2025
Genre Grand strategy

Europa Universalis V is a grand strategy game developed by Paradox Tinto and published by Paradox Interactive. It is the sequel to the 2013 game Europa Universalis IV . The game was officially announced on 8 May 2025 and released on 4 November 2025. [1] It received generally favorable reviews from critics.

Contents

Gameplay

Europa Universalis V is a grand strategy game that allows players to take control of a country and guide it through world history, spanning from 1 April 1337 to 1 January 1837. [2] [3] Unlike previous installments, most parts of the gameplay can be automated at the players discretion, allowing the player to focus on specific mechanics such as trade or military while giving control over the others to the game's AI. [4]

Development

Europa Universalis V was developed by Paradox Tinto. During development, the game was known as "Project Caesar", [3] and began development in 2020. [5] [6] Starting in early 2024, [7] Paradox Tinto began quietly releasing forum posts called "Tinto Talks", which would showcase several aspects of the game. [5] These included mechanics centered around the games economy management, its map and depiction of the Holy Roman Empire, and diplomacy features. [8] [9] Later, on 10 January 2025, Paradox began releasing posts under the name "Tinto Flavour", which focused on specific countries in the game. [10] The game was officially announced on 8 May 2025. [3]

Downloadable content

Paradox Tinto has announced the first downloadable content packs that will be released in 2026. [11]

NameAccompanying patchTypeRelease dateDescription
Fate of the PhoenixImmersion PackQ2 2026TBD
Across the PillarsChronicle PackQ3 2026TBD
The Auld AllianceChronicle PackQ4 2026TBD

Reception

Europa Universalis V received "generally favorable" reviews from critics, according to review aggregator Metacritic. [12] OpenCritic determined that 100% of critics recommended the game. [13]

IGN praised the game's unprecedented depth of simulation, and detailed population and terrain systems, but noted balance and tuning issues at launch. [14] Rock Paper Shotgun also praised the game's depth, but cautioned that its overwhelming complexity makes it less accessible than other Paradox titles. [15]

References

  1. Europa Universalis (19 August 2025). Europa Universalis V: Pre-Purchase Trailer . Retrieved 19 August 2025 via YouTube.
  2. Tolbert, Samuel (8 May 2025). "Paradox Interactive reveals its next big strategy game, and it's exactly what you'd think". Windows Central. Archived from the original on 8 May 2025. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 Caldwell, Brendan (8 May 2025). "The next grand strategy game from Paradox is Europa Universalis 5". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Archived from the original on 8 May 2025. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
  4. Caldwell, Brendan (9 May 2025). "Europa Universalis 5 is so complex its developers will let you automate half the game... But should you?". Rock Paper Shotgun . Archived from the original on 10 May 2025. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
  5. 1 2 Stanton, Rich (14 March 2024). "Paradox says where we're going, we don't need no marketing plan as it just shows off and chats about the unannounced Europa Universalis 5". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on 10 August 2024. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  6. Allen, Joseph (2 May 2025). "Paradox Could Be About to Reveal Europa Universalis V | TechRaptor". techraptor.net. Archived from the original on 2 May 2025. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
  7. Andersson, Johan (28 February 2024). "Tinto Talks #1 - February 28th 2024". forum.paradoxplaza.com. Archived from the original on 10 November 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
  8. Bolding, Jonathan (27 July 2024). "Grand strategy fans gobsmacked by this outrageously detailed Holy Roman Empire map from the unannounced Europa Universalis 5". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on 23 August 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  9. "Europa Universalis 5 hinted by Paradox as it details upcoming strategy game". PCGamesN. 18 February 2025. Archived from the original on 19 February 2025. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
  10. "Tinto Flavour 1: Types of content guidelines". Paradox Interactive Forum. 10 January 2025. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
  11. "Europa Universalis V", Paradox Interactive , 19 August 2025, retrieved 20 August 2025
  12. 1 2 "Europa Universalis V — PC Critic Reviews". Metacritic . Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  13. 1 2 "Europa Universalis V Reviews". OpenCritic . Retrieved 4 November 2025.
  14. Hafer, Leana (31 October 2025). "Europa Universalis 5 Review". IGN . Retrieved 17 November 2025.
  15. Caldwell, Brendan (31 October 2025). "Europa Universalis 5 review". Rock Paper Shotgun . Retrieved 17 November 2025.