Europa Universalis V
Europa Universalis V
Game
Game2008
Europa Universalis: Rome - Gold Edition
Developer Paradox Development Studio
Europa Universalis: Rome is a grand strategy game developed by Paradox Development Studio. Published by Paradox Interactive and released in 2008, it became the fourth installment in the Europa Universalis series. It was the second game to be based on Paradox's Clausewitz Engine. From Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
283 reactions from 4 sources (Steam reviews, Bluesky, Mastodon, Lemmy) · newest Nov 5, 2026 · last updated Nov 5, 2026 · How this works
Audience score
60
Fresh
85 positive · 57 negative
95% range 52–68%
| Source | + | − | = |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam reviews | 85 | 57 | 0 |
| Bluesky * | 17 | 6 | 75 |
| Mastodon * | 3 | 1 | 18 |
| Lemmy * | 7 | 0 | 14 |
* shown, not counted in the score (label accuracy below our 85% bar or not yet audited).
Steam's own rating
Mixed
99 of 162 reviews positive (all languages, per Valve)
What players are saying
61% recommend · 88 yes, 56 no
Counted from the reviewers’ own thumbs up/down on the 144 English Steam reviews we collected, not by the AI. Valve’s all-language rating: Mixed (162 of 251 positive).
Players praise the game's blend of Europa Universalis and Crusader Kings mechanics set in the ancient world. [1][2][3] Some reviewers find the game dated and lacking polish compared to newer Paradox titles. [4][5][6] Several players note that mods and patches are needed to fully enjoy the experience. [7][8][9]
Liked
Representative posts
- [4]
As is typical of Paradox Interactive's "gap" titles, EU: Rome is not very remarkable. It is a game that could have been quite good, but was ultimately left by the wayside as its developer moved on to more significant projects. If you look at the developer's history of releases, you'll find that that it very often intersperses minor, derivative releases between its major titles. These titles are almost without …
- [6]
Redheaded stepchild of greater Paradox titles, this game does features some unique features such as the Roman Senate, with factions competing for influence. It sits at a crossroads between the nation-management of Europa Universalis, and the character management of Crusader Kings. However, these little bits of good do not outweigh the basic fact that the gameplay is clunky and unintuitive when compared to other …
- [10]
For those of you that consider picking up this game: Europa Universalis: Rome is a game I like very much at the moment, I have not played any other Europa Universalis games and some of them might be better (after I bought the game I heard from people that 3 is better) I however do not regret my purchase since I like the ancient world theme a lot more than almost anything else set in the real world and is for me a …
- [11]
This game has been an enthralling dive into history of Rome. Its blend of historical accuracy and strategic depth offers a captivating experience. Despite its learning curve, mastering its mechanics is immensely rewarding. While visually modest, its immersive world and soundtrack transport players to the heart of Roman antiquity. Overall, it's a must-play for history buffs of Rome, and grand strategy fans alike. …
- [18]
The Negatives Terrible treaty AI: The AI will basically just take random territory it controls during a war leading to border gore. A bigger issue however is that the AI likes to permanently occupy larger countries and never make peace. Civil Wars: The rebel faction just gets a bunch of random provinces for their rebellion. This just makes civil wars tedious and worse, Its bad strategy because preparing and adapting …
Summarised from 34 of the 268 public posts collected about this game; every point cites the posts behind it ([n] opens the post) and the split is counted from the posts’ own ratings. Updated Oct 13, 2026. How summaries are made
RottenBot@rottenbot · automated account
Europa Universalis: Rome - Gold Edition sits at 60% positive across 142 opinionated reactions from 4 sources. Fresh or rotten — where do you land?
Reactions
60 of 283 · most liked firstFeels frustratingly like sitting inside the first game of Europa Universalis IV the dumbest YouTuber has ever played
neutral · AI labelView post →For those of you that consider picking up this game: Europa Universalis: Rome is a game I like very much at the moment, I have not played any other Europa Universalis games and some of them might be better (after I bought the game I heard from people that 3 is better) I however do not regret my purchase since I like the ancient world theme a lot more than almost anything else set in the real world and is for me a tie with the cold war. Why did I like this game? I think It is mechanically…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →If anyone would like to be part of a queer-centered gaming community for Europa Universalis, reply to this or DM me. I'm gauging interest in starting a new Discord server for the new game.
neutral · AI labelView post →First of all, I'd like to say that I'm an experienced but not expert player of the Paradox Games. That means that I've played Hearts of Iron III a few years ago (and enjoyed a Communist Greece, amongst my other "achievements") and also love Europa Universalis IV. I saw EU: Rome on Steam and, basically, bought it to give it a try. CONS 1) For a 2008 Game, Graphics should've been better. 2) Not the variety of factions that HoI3 or EUIV have. 3) Steam version forces you to search for the manual…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →some years back i ran a private multiplayer Europa Universalis 4 game for a cross-party group of MPs. All of whom played it regularly already single-player. It was gloriously fun, full of unexpected alliances and the odd backstab.
positive · AI labelView post →My review of Europa Universalis V is up! This is a game that knows its for sickos and caters to sickos (and aspiring sickos) almost exclusively, but if you're the kind of person who thinks they would enjoy it, I think you'll be pleased. It is a bit underbaked though. www.ign.com/articles/eur...
neutral · AI labelView post →Europa Universalis Rome is Paradox's attempt at creating a game to bridge the gameplay gap between the great but somewhat generic grand strategy of Europa Universalis and the personal management and dynastic aspects of Crusader Kings. Unfortunately this is not a marriage made in heaven and the two styles does not mix well in this game. Rome is a grand strategy game, you pick your nation among those that were around at whatever start date you chose and then go about doing what ever you please.…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →FINALLY figured out what I was doing wrong in Europa Universalis V. Time to start a new game Europa Universalis V to find out what else I am doing wrong
neutral · AI labelView post →Oh thank GOD. The new Europa Universalis 5 patch fixes the Stockholm market's weird craving for endless rice in the late medieval period. It's now far more realistic. (h/t to @tokryva.bsky.social for the idea)
neutral · AI labelView post →If you buy the game, make sure to download the 2.36 beta patch and the reign of the ancients mod from the paradox forums. It really helps this game reach it's potential. Also, if you're having trouble installing the mod on windows 10 then follow Thypus's installation instructions instead. 1 Have a clean install of the game 2 copy the province_texture folder on the map/cache folder and stick it in the desktop for example 3 patch to 2.36b in the rome folder 4 install the mod in the mod folder 5…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The entire world has retaliated with a trade embargo and the Pope has excommunicated your Vice President sounds like a bad game of Europa Universalis or something
neutral · AI labelView post →31/ "We're not waging a war like Hearts of Iron or Battlefield, where everything hinges on who fulfills the military requirements of a special operation or gets their tanks to the English Channel. We're essentially playing one big game of Europa Universalis, with hundreds of…
neutral · AI labelView post →I first started off playing startegy games using hex games, then with my first computer when I played a demo of CIv 1 for the Atari STE. Since then I have played most of the TW series. Especially countless hours on Rome Total War especially modded and yes I like Rome 2 with mods. Recently this year I have started to get into the Paradox titles starting with Crusader Kings 1. I therefore recomend Europa Universalis: Rome - Gold Edition very much. It's Ironic to think that this game has…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Yes but no. I got the retail copy, bought this because it was cheap. But the steam version was some stupid DRM built into it which modifies the checksum. So steam versions cannot play with non steam versions. Mods don't work on the steam version. So EU:Rome steamv ersion really isn't worth it.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Anbennar. a pike-and-shot fantasy total conversion for Europa Universalis IV which is so much better than the base game that I think 75% of my hours in that game are actually Anbennar.
positive · AI labelView post →Magnificent little spin off during the Classical Era. I hope Paradox considers making a Rome 2.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Anyway MPs of BlueSky y'all want another Europa Universalis game just hit me up. Same rules as before: Full Chatham House. Nothing recorded. No names or images ever disclosed unless everyone agrees.
neutral · AI labelView post →4.5 years after release Crusader Kings 3 has passed Stellaris and Elden Ring to become my third most-played game on Steam. The order is now 1. Europa Universalis 4 2. Crusader Kings 2 3. Crusader Kings 3 4. Elden Ring 5. Stellaris. Interestingly, my hours in CK2 + CK3 still don't add up to EU4.
neutral · AI labelView post →I find this game as a mash up between the Crusader King series and the Europa Universalis series and those 2 series should be seperated and that is why they are. I tried this game a long time ago and recently bought it to try it again and its smooth but can be very agitating; plus there are better games out there like EU:IV, CK2, if you have no nostalgia with this game and are coming from newer Paradox titles you will dislike this game. Funny: I was playing as Rome and fighting barbarians in…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Chicago Pope is the default end game scenario if you combine all the simulation engines from Crusader Kings, Europa Universalis, Victoria and Hearts of Iron
neutral · AI labelView post →Watching the IGN review of Europa Universalis 5. They got a trans woman with thousands of hours in EU4 to review this game, and her first choice of country to play as was Greenland. How did they find a clone of me to review EU5?? (my hours in EU5 are at 4100 and rising)
neutral · AI labelView post →"Nobody pushes the boundaries of the [grand strategy] genre like Paradox, and with Europa Universalis 5, they're pushing them further in one game than they ever have. I'm looking forward to enjoying the rest of the ride, even if it sometimes feels like I'm hanging on for dear life."
neutral · AI labelView post →besides that, another idea that I think really has not been properly explored is a Europa Universalis or Crusader Kings-esque game set in pre-colonization Africa
neutral · AI labelView post →My name is Johan and I hereby confirm that Rome II is gonna be released soon! Edit: There you go.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →STREAM TIME! Okay. Legit surprised how many of you asked for this. We're playing Europa Universalis 5 on the new patch, and I'm going to teach you how to build an economy AND have fun! So join me as we play Sweden, chill, chat history, and are generally mean to Denmark. twitch.tv/gariusthebrit
neutral · AI labelView post →In the olden days, game critics would sometimes be sent tchotchkes along with review code. In 2008, for Europa Universalis: Rome, I was sent a bust of Caesar and (I have just refound these) chocolate gold coins.
neutral · AI labelView post →Very pleased to share Parodox's Educator's Guide for Europa Universalis IV (that I wrote) is now available for all. EUIV is a challenging game & I spent considerable time breaking down exactly how I'd use it in history classes in hopes the many interested educators out there will give it a try. 1/ 🗃️
neutral · AI labelView post →I haven't come to know how to play these games yet, but the soundtrack for this game is downright fantastic, and worth clicking things while not really accomplishing anything just to be able to listen to it.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Have you ever been an autistic trans woman going at it with another autistic trans woman while a third autistic trans woman is also in the room playing Europa Universalis V and narrating everything she's doing in the game? Highly recommended.
positive · AI labelView post →I don't know how you design a reveal video for a Europa Universalis game. You have to explain what it is, which involves kind of dryly doing a 101 course on Renaissance economics. Then you have to try to explain and highlight what's new about this version and why that's exciting
neutral · AI labelView post →I love this. This is the same energy i had once we setup Europa Universalis and got a game of that going with the lads. There's something magical about a game that is almost scary to play due to its complexity.
positive · AI labelView post →Steam makes it too hard to get updates. There is a update on the makers website that steam does not allow/get. I have a common problem with the cheksum failure that crashes the game and makes it unplayable. Tried to wipe and reinstall and it still happens. Steam has many users that have made this known and they have failed to fix/allow a fix to happen digitally (meaning easy to fix).
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →As is typical of Paradox Interactive's "gap" titles, EU: Rome is not very remarkable. It is a game that could have been quite good, but was ultimately left by the wayside as its developer moved on to more significant projects. If you look at the developer's history of releases, you'll find that that it very often intersperses minor, derivative releases between its major titles. These titles are almost without exception unpolished and unimpressive, and EU: Rome fits that bill perfectly. You'll…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Unironically Imperator but with less fancy graphics. And DLCs.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Europa Universalis: Rome EU: Rome is notorious for having so much potential, then being dropped shortly after release, experiencing no significant updates. It really is a shame in a sense because there was potential for a marvelous Roman era grand strategy title back in it's release now over a decade ago, but the ball was dropped. Now, is the current product worth a new consumer's time? Not really. The game is incredibly dated, and compared to more significant paradox titles it has relatively…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Europa Universalis 5 is really interesting because it's a game that uses the capabilities of modern PCs in a way that isn't typical of the types of games that wouldn't run on a 10 year old PC. Ray tracing is cool but simulating every single living individual from 1337-1837 is something else.
neutral · AI labelView post →I am never in my life going to play Europa Universalis. But I like the idea that a game like this exists. acoup.blog/2025/10/31/m...
neutral · AI labelView post →Europa Universalis IV has 3D pawns but it’s basically a 2D game So I think the last 3D game I played was either Life is Strange 2 or ACNH
neutral · AI labelView post →Shane mentioned some Europa Universalis YouTuber drama to me so now I'm learning about the game so I can understand accusations from 2022. This is incredibly important to me
neutral · AI labelView post →I have 1,700 hours in Europa Universalis 4. After one EU5 campaign, I can't go back—but I don't want to stay, either. I have 1,700 hours in EU4—now I don't feel like I can go back, but EU5 has to change if I'm going to play it again.
neutral · AI labelView post →This game has been an enthralling dive into history of Rome. Its blend of historical accuracy and strategic depth offers a captivating experience. Despite its learning curve, mastering its mechanics is immensely rewarding. While visually modest, its immersive world and soundtrack transport players to the heart of Roman antiquity. Overall, it's a must-play for history buffs of Rome, and grand strategy fans alike. https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3258130393…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →$10 for a 10 year old game? Try $5. Paradox takes a lot of pride in the prices of their games and DLCs. Can't say the same for the game itself. It takes a player made mod that overhauls the entire game to take this game to the next level.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Paradox needs to take fan- and customer feedback more serious. Instead they go the marketing route with a couple selected youtubers. Pdx has its policy thats fine, i have one too and will keep my wallet tight till they improve their game design and quality especially of the dlc's which are utter garbage + still buggy mechanics in the actual game. ps. that♥♥♥♥♥♥ceo with his "mob" mentality can f-off he'd better take a course in communication! A Propper board would show him where the door is.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Europa Universalis 5 is a good game
positive · AI labelView post →Strangely addicting strategy game. Very similar to normal EU, but it incorporates ancient culture.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Its fun to play, but beware...Those civil wars can be quite annoying.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →better than imperator rome
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →- Blasphemous 1 and 2 - STALKER - Disco Elysium (awesome game, but the studio got into shady stuff and the game creators were booted. Just pirate it). - Commandos - Tzar - Imperivm - Tropico 3 - Noita - Satisfactory - My summer car/my winter car (I personally have not played them but they have good reviews) Not very indie: - Europa Universalis - Crusader Kings - Hearts of Iron - the Witcher 1, 2, 3 (the 3rd one is the best) - Cyberpunk 2077
neutral · AI labelView post →Paradox game series, explained: Imperator = Rome fanbois Stellaris = Star Trek fanbois Europa Universalis = Napoleon fanbois Hearts of Iron = WWII fanbois Cities: Skylines = Traffic circle fanbois Victoria = Diplomacy fanbois Crusader Kings =Generational Inbreeding fanbois
neutral · AI labelView post →Another ongoing review... So far I found EU: Rome to be a lot simpler than more recent iterations. Even if compared with CK and CK2 it feels like it's been stripped off of many features. Still, the game holds on pretty well, and it might be a great entry point for anyone interested in this series, or any other grand strategy game from paradox. Graphics are obviously dated, but they do not detract from the experience. Sound is great, and interface... well, it's a paradox game. You be mauled…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Europa Universalis V and Anno 117 not being on here but a game everyone hated is - trash. Two Point and Jurassic World innocent.
negative · AI labelView post →Me: I’m really pleased with the progress of my new book and I’ll definitely hit the 2027 deadline. Me after discovering that a new Europa Universalis game released yesterday: well shit. I’m in trouble.
neutral · AI labelView post →Mix of Europa Universalis IV and Crusader Kings II with an Ancient Era theme? As mentioned before this game somewhat finds the middle ground between Europa Universalis IV and Crusader Kings II set in the Classical Era, while keeping it a bit more simple. There are individuals with personal properties who are part of families which you can appoint to perform certain tasks in your realm, but you are not playing as a dynasty gaining and losing lands by inheritance. For some people this type of…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Basically a mix of Crusader Kings and Europa Universalis at an ancient time setting. Better than one might think.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →My most played game on Steam, and it deserves a review. Its very indeph with loads of micromanagement, and if you happen to like the timeline, you are welcome to buy it. You can tune it to play it with unlimited time, if that bothers you. What sets it apart from normal EU games, is the barbarian mechanic. There are lots of uncivilized lands where barbarians are uprising all the time, and it takes near the end of the game, to civilize them all. If you play a nation that borders to them, it…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Redheaded stepchild of greater Paradox titles, this game does features some unique features such as the Roman Senate, with factions competing for influence. It sits at a crossroads between the nation-management of Europa Universalis, and the character management of Crusader Kings. However, these little bits of good do not outweigh the basic fact that the gameplay is clunky and unintuitive when compared to other (both newer and older) paradox titles. Basically, if you have played any other…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →A running joke in the Paradox community is when you have 1,000 hours in a game, you've completed the tutorial. I've played so so many hours in these games (HOI4 is my favorite, but Europa Universalis and Stellaris too) and I still learn new things every game.
positive · AI labelView post →Actually, going to keep with this style of game for a bit longer. Civilization next, then Humankind, then Europa Universalis, and then AC3.
neutral · AI labelView post →We had a copy of the the original Europa Universalis board game (1993) that they based the computer game (2000) on. We never played it: we looked at it and went - "Yeah, I can see why they decided to do this all on computers instead"
negative · AI labelView post →The Negatives Terrible treaty AI: The AI will basically just take random territory it controls during a war leading to border gore. A bigger issue however is that the AI likes to permanently occupy larger countries and never make peace. Civil Wars: The rebel faction just gets a bunch of random provinces for their rebellion. This just makes civil wars tedious and worse, Its bad strategy because preparing and adapting them is just pure luck. Populists: Its a bit ridiculous that they can win…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
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