EU4 is a genre-defining grand strategy game that has reshaped Paradox Interactive over the last decade. In this retrospective review, we dive into EU4's gameplay mechanics and narrative, analyzing how the game uses emergent storytelling to allow players to shape history through their strategic decisions. Support this work: https://www.patreon.com/thatguyzako https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClr79aeVw5xRDHT80mAZNSw/join Chat with us: https://discord.gg/WqEyjHvRYF Here is the Economics spreadsheet if you’d like to play around with the data and see some metrics I couldn’t cover: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-HhtEsfxMwc1Vo7y5odlebXPM0r3B2az/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=102096564063820555305&rtpof=true&sd=true Sections: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:05:12 - The Impossible Retrospective 00:08:07 - An Overview 00:13:41 - Part 1 - Power and Government 00:23:14 - 1.1 Power 00:31:18 - 1.2 Warfare 00:52:29 - 1.3 Government 01:05:21 - 1.4 Rebellion and Revolution 01:14:48 - Part 1 Conclusion - The Cost of Power 01:18:27 - Part 2 - Progress, Technology and Civilization 01:21:39 - 2.1 - Ideas 01:26:34 - 2.2 - Technology 01:47:43 - 2.3 - Institutions 01:54:23 - 2.4 - Ages 01:57:39 - 2.5 - Brutality, Fascism and Colonization 02:06:09 - Part 2 Conclusion - The Myth of Progress 02:11:01 - Part 3 - Economy, Trade and Colonialism 02:13:58 - 3.1 Development 02:31:46 - 3.2 Income 02:54:31 - 3.3 Spending 03:17:54 - 3.4 Estates 03:27:53 - 3.5 Colonialism 03:44:44 - Part 3 Conclusion - 'Accurate' Enough? 03:53:09 - Part 4 - Identity, Nation and Religion 03:55:03 - 4.1 Culture 04:13:12 - 4.2 Missions 04:18:52 - 4.3 Religion 04:37:49 - Closing Thoughts 04:46:17 - Afterword References: Extensive use of the Europa Universalis IV Paradox Wiki was used — thank you to those who keep the wiki up to date and such high quality. https://eu4.paradoxwikis.com/Europa_Universalis_4_Wiki Check out Rosencreutz: https://youtu.be/_pZRTR5a-DU?si=Vmj_NSQP3bI5C1zK Check out Premodernist: https://youtu.be/91SvDE-6HtY?si=PyehaFUiXoG-f87V https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7rLbP0_0dg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2M1wFyoRAk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCbJZqnuNYg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lEfl_OebvQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8ChuNCY30Y https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFV-4VArLVg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysZvGygU1Qc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HY_sMjXlzFI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBSQBPMIQxk https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mongol_Empire_map.gif https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/3/frexit-why-ivory-coast-is-joining-african-campaign-to-expel-rench-troops https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Urbanization_over_the_past_500_years_%28Historical_sources_and_UN_%281500_to_2016%29%29,_OWID.svg https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_video_games https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wargame#History https://soundingmaps.com/african-nation-independence-dates/ https://jacobin.com/2023/12/france-africa-empire-neocolonialism-domestic-far-right-repression-elites https://www.britannica.com/science/coal-fossil-fuel/World-distribution-of-coal#/media/1/122863/142296 Omar-toons, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wattasids_-_Simplified_map.PNG Les colonies Françaises “Progress, Civilization, Commerce” For posterity, these are the original preview versions of parts 1 and 2. Parts 3 and 4 were never previously uploaded: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNWWI5V3NOi0PCAtiVPwrOSzEMOG0YBJ3 This video explores the core systems of Europa Universalis 4, from its complex diplomacy and warfare to its economic models and technological progression. This analysis studies how EU4 blends simulation and storytelling, creating a dynamic world where each decision impacts the unfolding narrative, with some Europa Universalis 4 gameplay in the background. Relevant games in the grand strategy and strategy genre include Europa Universalis 4, Crusader Kings 3, Hearts of Iron 4, Victoria 3, Victoria 2, Stellaris, Imperator: Rome, Crusader Kings 2, Europa Universalis 3, Victoria: Revolutions, March of the Eagles, Hearts of Iron 3, Hearts of Iron 2, Darkest Hour: A Hearts of Iron Game, East vs. West: A Hearts of Iron Game, Total War: Warhammer 3, Total War: Rome 2, Total War: Three Kingdoms, Sid Meier’s Civilization VI, Humankind, Old World, Age of Wonders 4, Endless Legend, Endless Space 2, Master of Orion, Company of Heroes 3, XCOM 2, Cities: Skylines, Anno 1800, Warhammer 40k, Rimworld. #eu4 #paradoxinteractive #europauniversalis4 #retrospective #gamereview #gameanalysis #crusaderkings3 #ck3 #eu5 #victoria3 #imperatorrome