GameTap writes: ""Wait for the patch." These have always been words to live by when it comes to Paradox Interactive's Europa Universalis and its red-headed stepchildren like Hearts of Iron and Victoria. If there were any truth in game naming, the boxes would read something like Europa Universalis: You Know You Want It Now, But Don't Be Stupid, Hold Off For Six Months.
So I'm thrilled to report that a corner has been turned with Europa Universalis: Rome, an almost shockingly polished new addition to the family. It may have taken Paradox eight years to release a game this playable out of the box, although I can't gripe about the wait now that I've got such a captivating example of the hit-you-with-a-history-book real-time strategy franchise keeping me up to the wee hours. Only some lingering issues with Paradox's maddening refusal to include a proper tutorial and a few quibbles over family dynasties interfere with some satisfying veni, vidi, vici-ing."
Direct2Drive has slashed $15 off the price of Paradox's strategy title Europa Universalis: Rome Gold, taking the game down to $5 as part of the digital distributor's Deal of the Week.
The Reticule writes: "Paradox may be all hands on deck at GamesCom in Germany but I managed to sneak some questions through to the companies CEO, Fredrik Wester. Read on for his comments on DLC and newly announced titles from Paradox.
The Reticule – You describe the new titles as being a 'tribute' to those who play your games, to what extent does this mean the new games will be designed according to what your fans want to see?
Fredrik Wester – We are always working close to our customers when designing and developing games. This is the result of many years of interaction between our studio and our fans. Several people from the publishing team also interacts with our forum users on a daily basis to discuss, get feedback and to help us develop the company and our games."
GamersInfo writes: Europa Universalis: Rome is an empire builder set in the time of ancient Rome. Despite my love for all things Rome and empire or city builders, I found the game to be tedious, boring and frustrating.
In my experience, there are typically three elements to all empire builders, though most good games will focus on at least two. The primary one is conquering your foes through epic cinematic or stylistically rendered combat. The second element that you can find is winning through the simple strategy of micromanaging your city or empire. That is, you win through trade, diplomacy, alliances and financial gain. And, through all good empire builders, there is the undercurrent that you are somehow a supreme figure looking over all you survey with a sense of power and control.
