Crusader Kings 2 vs Europa Universalis 4 Comparison

Today I am going to take a look at two great games from paradox interactive. Both of it are 4X game, for you that don't know what does that mean, 4X games is a game where player needs to control an empire or nation and will able you to "eXplore, eXpand, eXploit and eXterminate" using that nation. Most 4X game have a very complex gameplay, where you need to control a nation and every aspect of it. Now I am going to give you a quick comparison of Crusader Kings 2 and Europe Universalis 4. I hope that this will help you to choose between these to games.

Timeline

One of the basic difference between these two games is the timeline, while Crusader Kings 2 make the player starts the game at 1066 when William of Normandy decided to Conquer England and with the the Old Gods DLC player can choose earlier starting date at 867. Europa Universalis 4 take more modern setting by starting at 1444 right when France is still in turmoil, because of the Hundred Years War We can say that Europe Universalis 4 timeline is after Crusader Kings 2

The Map

Europe Universalis 4 features the whole globe for you to play, each with their own story, while Crusader Kings 2 use much smaller scope, Europe, as the latest Patch 2 they added India into the game as well. Although Europe Universalis features a whole globe, because of the mechanic of the game, you will see less variety of the map in Europe Universalis 4 than Crusader Kings 2. Because Europa Universalis 4 focus on the historical accuracy, while Crusader Kings 2 doesn't restrict the computer.

Europe Universalis 4 features the whole globe in their game, perfect for someone that likes to explore and feel something different

The map only focus on europe, part of africa and asia, but the map is much more detailed here

The Gameplay Mechanic

One difference that Crusader Kings 2 player can easily spot when playing Europe Universalis 4 is that Europe Universalis 4 focus on the nation, not on the character that you played, in Crusader Kings 2 you will need to marry your character, take care of your heir and vassal. Where in Europa Universalis 4 you only need to control the nation, so no need to worry about the small detail like that. But this doesn't mean that Europa Universalis 4 is easier than Crusader Kings 2. Because we don't need to manage the vassal, playing a powerful nation is much more fun in Europa Universalis 4 than Crusader Kings 2.

Crusader Kings 2 focus on the character and it's dynasty

Europa Universalis focus on much larger scale, the government

Not also that there are some difference in the army management. In Crusader Kings 2 you cannot wage war if you raise any armies. While in Europa Universalis 4 the armies is much more like a standing armies, so you don't need to unraise it everytime you wanted to wage a war, and because of the different timeline, border is much more important in Europa Universalis 4 than Crusader Kings 2. In Crusader Kings 2 crossing a nation border will not give you any penalty where in Europe Universalis 4 you cannot cross a nation unless you ask a permission first.

Europa Universalis 4 use a regiment system where the armies act as a standing armies

There is much more restriction inc Crusader Kings 2 army system, where you unable to wage war if you raise one

This is a list of the difference in Crusader Kings 2 and Europe Universalis 4 if you too lazy to read, or you hate how I write this post.

Crusader Kings 2 :

• More micro management, you need to manage your vassal and your heir
• More detailed map
• There is no restriction to what the computer can do, so you can expect a different looking territory for each game you start
• The map only cover europe, africa, and small portion of Asia

Europe Universalis 4 :

• Less Micro Management
• The map covers entire provinces
• More variety of technology
• The game is based on historical event so expect some similarities everytime you started a new game

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