Europa Universalis vs Nantucket
Europa Universalis
Europa Universalis is a historical real-time grand strategy game that includes all aspects of world history in the Early Modern Europe era, a period of time between the end of the Middle Ages and the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. Due to the game's meticulous need to be accurate in its historical accounts (period monarchs, known military leaders, and technological advancements), the game can, in some way, be doubled as an educational game since you can learn quite a lot simply by playing it.That said, the gameplay in Europa Universalis is just incredible for its time. The game is played on a huge world map that is divided into around 1,500 provinces where you can literally govern your nation the way you like. You can get involved in your nation's colonization efforts, explore new lands, trade with neighboring countries, wage war when they renegade on that very trade deal, spread the religion you've adopted far and wide, and of course, navigate the tricky political waters of diplomacy.
Not to mention, instead of using a turn-based format, the game has opted for a pauseable real-time format, so you can pause the game, issues orders and plan out strategies, before unpausing the game and let the world events play out. There are even tons of historically-based missions and events which may affect the world based on your actions and decisions.
When it comes to grand strategy games, there are only a handful that truly embodies the genre, and obviously, Europa Universalis is one of them. However, being the original game in the franchise, the graphics might be a bit worn for wear, but if you don't really mind, you can definitely pick this game up from GoG.com.
Nantucket
Nantucket is a strategic whaling game with an emphasis on ship and crew management that is based off on the famous classic literature, Moby Dick. In this game, you’ll get to dive right into the life of a captain of a whaling ship in the mid-nineteenth century. Aside from hunting whales, sharks, and other massive sea creatures, upgrading both your crew and your ship, as well as raking in tons of coins from selling your whaling goods, the game will let you set off on your personal quest to finally hunt down the infamous Moby Dick. Will you finally be able to avenge Captain Ahab and put that monstrous beast to rest?In short, Nantucket is a truly impressive strategy/management game that puts you behind the wheel of your very own whaling ship. The game seems to not only has a storyline that continues where the classic literature Moby Dick left off, and also an engaging gameplay with a unique, turn-based combat system. Granted that there are a few minor aspects the game can improve on, such as adding in more player portraits, Nantucket is one of those rare indie gems that will be making waves in the gaming community and industry.