The summary of ‘A Complete Beginner's Guide To Paradox Grand Strategy Games in 2022’

00:00:00

In this segment, the video explores the dilemma new players face when deciding to delve into Paradox’s grand strategy games, highlighting the complexity and depth these games offer. The speaker focuses initially on *Imperator: Rome*, launched in 2019, which had a rocky start due to missing features and messy mechanics, but has since been significantly improved through updates and free expansions. The game is set during the Roman Republic era and allows players to engage with various factions, including the Hellenistic successors of Alexander the Great and tribal peoples. The gameplay emphasizes politics, diplomacy, trade, and industry, with a particularly notable diplomatic system that includes features like diplomatic range and rankings, allowing for complex interactions and gradual integration of conquered territories. The video notes the shift from levied armies to professional ones as Rome progresses, enhancing the strategic depth of warfare in the game.

00:03:00

In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses two primarily historical strategy games, “Imperator: Rome” and “Crusader Kings 3.” For “Imperator: Rome,” the focus is on the sophisticated and enjoyable systems of standing legionary armies, which gain traditions and legacies through experience, along with the crucial trade and development mechanisms. Specific resources like iron are essential for maintaining legionaries, while access to horses and elephants enable the use of corresponding units. Despite some rough edges, the game is highly praised for its depth in warfare, politics, diplomacy, and trade during the Roman Hellenistic period.

Transitioning to “Crusader Kings 3,” the game’s emphasis on characters is highlighted. Unlike other Paradox series, it revolves around individual characters rather than states, with a broad timeframe from 867 to 1453. Each character in the game is multifaceted, involving elements like warfare, personal development, and statecraft. The significant aspect of “Crusader Kings 3” is that characters inherit titles and claims, which are crucial for maintaining power in the game. Players continue the game through their heirs upon a character’s death, ensuring that titles remain central to gameplay, with the loss of titles resulting in losing the game.

00:06:00

In this part of the video, the speaker explains the mechanics and appeal of “Crusader Kings 3” (CK3) as a grand strategy game. Players must manage titles tied to specific locations like King of France, handle claims from other characters including their own children, and maintain control over their realm by managing taxes, soldiers, and vassal contracts. Players can also forge alliances through marriage, develop their realm’s infrastructure, and wage wars both internally and externally. The game features unique cultures and religions, allows for the creation of custom religions and cultures, and provides options to change kingdom laws and research new technologies. The speaker highlights CK3’s character-focused gameplay and engaging medieval setting, making it accessible for new players. Following this, the video transitions to discuss “Europa Universalis IV” (EU4), which covers the period from 1444 to 1821, emphasizing state management and historical progression from medieval to semi-industrial societies. Unlike CK3, EU4 focuses more on statecraft with mission trees and landmark achievements that offer players both historical guidance and freedom.

00:09:00

In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses the customization and uniqueness of countries in “Europa Universalis IV” (EU4), highlighting how different playstyles and choices lead to diverse and dynamic gameplay experiences. The game includes internal strife, technology research, religious conflicts, and exploration, with emphasis on historical events such as the Crusades and the Thirty Years War. The game allows players to experience the Age of Exploration firsthand, where initial geographical knowledge is limited and expands through exploration and colonization.

The video then transitions to the newly released “Victoria 3,” which covers the period from 1836 to 1936. Unlike its predecessors, “Victoria 3” focuses on the spirit of the nation, emphasizing economy and trade, supply chains, resources, and production. Industrialization’s impact on employment and interest groups within the country is explored. The game features markets that encompass multiple countries, with an emphasis on economic development and improving the standard of living. Playing strategically to develop one’s nation is a central theme.

00:12:00

In this part of the video, the speaker discusses the gameplay mechanics and focus areas of two games: Victoria 3 and Hearts of Iron 4. Victoria 3 emphasizes internal state and economic management over expansionist warfare, with players influencing political parties and enacting laws to industrialize their nation. Meanwhile, Hearts of Iron 4 is centered around the complexities of World War II, requiring players to manage detailed battle tactics, research technologies, and navigate historical geopolitical contexts. Each game offers unique strategic experiences, with Victoria 3 prioritizing economic systems and Hearts of Iron 4 focusing on intricate warfare mechanics.

00:15:00

In this part of the video, the focus is on the features of “Hearts of Iron IV” and “Stellaris,” two grand strategy games by Paradox Interactive. For “Hearts of Iron IV,” the video highlights the importance of state management through focus trees, which guide a nation’s path historically or alternatively. The political system includes parties, advisors, leaders, and the ability to influence other nations’ politics. The game primarily emphasizes a peaceful period until World War II begins, requiring players to understand the complex combat system for an immersive experience.

Transitioning to “Stellaris,” set in space from the year 2200, the game diverges from traditional grand strategy by managing planets and systems instead of states and provinces. Players explore the galaxy, encountering ancient relics and alien civilizations, creating a unique and mysterious atmosphere. “Stellaris” blends 4X (explore, expand, exploit, exterminate) and grand strategy elements, emphasizing government, policies, research, and resource management. Diplomacy and visually stunning space warfare are key features, with epic battles and large-scale intergalactic conflicts.

00:18:00

In this part of the video, the speaker highlights the depth and engagement of Paradox’s sci-fi strategy games, particularly focusing on state diplomacy, military aspects, and unique end-game scenarios like the rise of Asian civilizations and air uprisings in Stellaris. The speaker emphasizes their substantial personal investment in these games, noting their distinctive differences and high quality. The video concludes with an invitation for viewers to share their thoughts, like, comment, subscribe, and consider supporting the channel through membership or Patreon.