this is the first time i’ve been able to get into this franchise.
i’ve tried eu4 multiple times over the years. each attempt ended the same way: overwhelmed by systems i didn’t understand, crushed by nations i didn’t know were threats, and ultimately alt-f4ing in frustration. the learning curve wasn’t a curve—it was a wall.
eu5 changes that, and it’s mostly down to the automation system. you can now delegate aspects of your nation’s management in ways that let you focus on what you find interesting. want to obsess over diplomatic relationships while the ai handles your economy? go for it. want to micromanage trade routes but let someone else deal with your estates? that works too.
there are three categories to automate: economy, diplomatic, and military. the developers clearly understood the complexity problem, so they let players focus their attention where they want it. if you don’t want to individually set trade priorities in every trading center, you can automate them. if you don’t want to plan out every economic building, automate that too.
it’s not dumbed down—the depth is still there for people who want it. but there’s now an on-ramp that doesn’t require a phd in paradox game design. as one reviewer put it, “the automation systems make eu5 more accessible than previous entries. new players can automate complex mechanics while learning, then gradually take manual control as they gain experience.”
the map is gorgeous. the ui is finally readable. and for the first time, i actually understand why people have sunk thousands of hours into this series.