Age of Empires II vs Europa Universalis IV
Age of Empires II
Age of Empires II is, despite being a sequel, a classic real-time strategy game from the crtically-accalaimed game franchise, Age of Empires. The graphics in the game has been reworked to pull it up to level with modern graphics, but the content of the game is essentially the game. Choose one of 18 unique civilizations to play with and dominate the map by eliminating your enemies or by other means, depending on the goals of the match. You can even play the game with other players from all around the world on Steam via the game's multiplayer mode.If you enjoy classic real-time strategy, Age of Empires II is a game you wouldn't want to miss. It may not be the original "first" game, but since the revamped Age of Empires 1 has yet to arrive (1 more month to go), you might as well brush up on your skills by playing the sequel first!
Europa Universalis IV
Europa Universalis IV is the fourth game in the award-winning Europa Universalis franchise. Similar to its predecessors, the game has everything you'd need to build your own nation from the ground up and guide it through the ages. The freedom in which you get to customize your giverning style, your nation and even your game is simply ridiculous (in a good way) and of course, the best selling point of this series is that almost everything is based on accurate historical references, be it a historical figure or an event. This time around you'll get to grow your nation over a much wider span of history, arrange royal marriages, form coalitions, support rebels in proxy wars and more. You can even cooperate with up to 32 different players to govern a single nation. The multiplayer mode apparently now has an improved chat and a new matchmaking system.Unfortunately, the major downside about this game is that the developers, Paradox Interactive, have apparently "sold-out" by adding in features that should have been in the original game into DLCs that players actually have to pay extra for, ending up spending over $200 for just a single game. Not to mention, many players have complained that the DLCs they release are priced at the same price point despite having progressively lower amount of content.
That said, the game is still an epic masterpiece and a worthy sequel to the Europa Universalis series, but the game's hardcore player base is admittedly not happy, and honestly, we wouldn't recommend getting this game unless you can get all of the DLCs dirt cheap... maybe like in a bundle.