How easy is it to get startet as a newcommer to a pradox 4x game?

  • We have updated our Community Code of Conduct. Please read through the new rules for the forum that are an integral part of Paradox Interactive’s User Agreement.

Droa

Recruit
48 Badges
Feb 16, 2013
8
9
scriptnerd.net
  • Cities in Motion 2
  • Stellaris: Synthetic Dawn
  • Stellaris
  • Cities: Skylines Deluxe Edition
  • Cities in Motion
  • Magicka
  • Lead and Gold
  • Impire
  • Europa Universalis IV: Wealth of Nations
  • Crusader Kings II
  • Dungeonland
  • Europa Universalis IV: Conquest of Paradise
  • Hearts of Iron III
  • Europa Universalis IV
  • Imperator: Rome Deluxe Edition
  • Island Bound
  • Cities: Skylines - Green Cities
  • Stellaris: Humanoids Species Pack
  • Stellaris: Apocalypse
  • Cities: Skylines - Parklife Pre-Order
  • Cities: Skylines - Parklife
  • Stellaris: Distant Stars
  • Cities: Skylines Industries
  • BATTLETECH: Flashpoint
  • Imperator: Rome
  • Prison Architect
  • BATTLETECH: Season pass
  • Age of Wonders: Planetfall
  • Age of Wonders: Planetfall Deluxe edition
  • Age of Wonders: Planetfall Sign Up
  • Prison Architect: Psych Ward
  • Stellaris: Galaxy Edition
  • Victoria 2
  • War of the Roses
  • Cities: Skylines
  • Magicka: Wizard Wars Founder Wizard
  • Magicka 2
  • Cities: Skylines - After Dark
  • Cities: Skylines - Snowfall
  • Stellaris: Galaxy Edition
  • Surviving Mars
  • Hearts of Iron IV Sign-up
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Cadet
  • Stellaris: Digital Anniversary Edition
  • Stellaris: Leviathans Story Pack
  • Cities: Skylines - Mass Transit
  • BATTLETECH
  • Stellaris - Path to Destruction bundle
Hi everybody

I am a newcommer to paradox 4x games, i tried to play hearts of iron 3, but it seems waary complicated to get into.

It was hard to resist to preorder stellaris as it seems like a perfect sci-fi x4 game for a sci fi nerd like me, so ofcause i bought it... now i just need to learn about all the concepts a paradox 4x games features, as i know it is not like any other 4x game.

Will Stellaris feature full tutorials, or do i need to play past 4x games to know how to play it?
 

Voidlord

Major
63 Badges
May 30, 2013
753
508
  • Crusader Kings II
  • Stellaris: Apocalypse
  • Stellaris: Leviathans Story Pack
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Together for Victory
  • Crusader Kings II: Monks and Mystics
  • Stellaris: Necroids
  • BATTLETECH
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Death or Dishonor
  • Crusader Kings III
  • Age of Wonders III
  • Crusader Kings II: Jade Dragon
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Expansion Pass
  • Stellaris: Humanoids Species Pack
  • Europa Universalis IV: Rights of Man
  • BATTLETECH - Digital Deluxe Edition
  • Stellaris: Distant Stars
  • Stellaris: Lithoids
  • Stellaris: Megacorp
  • Crusader Kings II: Holy Fury
  • Imperator: Rome Deluxe Edition
  • Victoria 3 Sign Up
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Expansion Pass
  • Prison Architect
  • Imperator: Rome Sign Up
  • Stellaris: Ancient Relics
  • Age of Wonders: Planetfall Sign Up
  • Stellaris: Digital Anniversary Edition
  • Stellaris: Federations
  • Crusader Kings III: Royal Edition
  • Hearts of Iron IV: La Resistance
  • Europa Universalis IV
  • Imperator: Rome - Magna Graecia
  • Europa Universalis IV: Wealth of Nations
  • Stellaris: Nemesis
  • BATTLETECH: Heavy Metal
  • Crusader Kings II: Way of Life
  • Crusader Kings II: Horse Lords
  • Crusader Kings II: Conclave
  • Stellaris
  • Stellaris: Galaxy Edition
  • Stellaris: Galaxy Edition
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Cadet
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Colonel
  • Hearts of Iron IV: No Step Back
  • Crusader Kings II: Charlemagne
  • Crusader Kings II: Rajas of India
  • Crusader Kings II: The Republic
  • Europa Universalis IV: Art of War
  • Europa Universalis IV: Conquest of Paradise
  • Sword of the Stars
Stellaris will have an advisor called VIR who will guide you through the game, telling you want you need to know and so on
 
  • 4
  • 1
Reactions:

Milten

General
78 Badges
Sep 20, 2011
1.948
8.698
  • Europa Universalis IV
  • Crusader Kings II
  • Stellaris
  • Victoria 2
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Colonel
  • Hearts of Iron III Collection
  • Magicka
  • King Arthur II
  • Impire
  • Sword of the Stars II
  • Tyranny: Archon Edition
  • Crusader Kings III
  • Age of Wonders: Planetfall
  • 500k Club
  • Pillars of Eternity
  • Cities: Skylines
Stellaris has simpler mechanics compared to HoI, but it's still a PD game. Read VIR tips and take a look on main game parts in wiki. Even after that there will be a lot of attempts and fails, but it's part of the fun.
 
  • 2
Reactions:

Njordin

First Lieutenant
65 Badges
Feb 17, 2012
256
637
  • Crusader Kings II
  • Stellaris: Galaxy Edition
  • Stellaris: Synthetic Dawn
  • Victoria 2: Heart of Darkness
  • Victoria 2: A House Divided
  • Supreme Ruler: Cold War
  • Sword of the Stars II
  • Semper Fi
  • Victoria: Revolutions
  • Magicka
  • Leviathan: Warships
  • Heir to the Throne
  • Hearts of Iron III Collection
  • Hearts of Iron III: Their Finest Hour
  • Hearts of Iron III
  • A Game of Dwarves
  • Crusader Kings II: Charlemagne
  • Crusader Kings II: Legacy of Rome
  • Crusader Kings II: The Old Gods
  • Crusader Kings II: The Republic
  • Crusader Kings II: Sons of Abraham
  • Crusader Kings II: Sunset Invasion
  • Darkest Hour
  • Europa Universalis III
  • Crusader Kings II: Sword of Islam
  • Europa Universalis III: Chronicles
  • Divine Wind
  • For the Motherland
  • Crusader Kings II: Reapers Due
  • Stellaris: Digital Anniversary Edition
  • Stellaris: Apocalypse
  • Stellaris: Leviathans Story Pack
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Together for Victory
  • Stellaris: Necroids
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Death or Dishonor
  • Age of Wonders III
  • Stellaris: Distant Stars
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Expansion Pass
  • Stellaris: Humanoids Species Pack
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Cadet
  • Stellaris Sign-up
  • Stellaris: Galaxy Edition
  • Stellaris
  • Crusader Kings II: Way of Life
  • Mount & Blade: Warband
  • Europa Universalis IV: Pre-order
  • 500k Club
  • War of the Roses
  • Warlock: Master of the Arcane
  • Victoria 2
In terms of complexity:
Civilization is like learning to ride a bike.
Stellaris, Eu4, Ck2 is like learning to drive a car.
Hoi3 and Vic2 is like learning to dock an module to the ISS.

If you can play average 4x with ease, Stellaris is no problem. If your 4x experience is just based on civ5 or the new MoO you´ll learn it without problems but need time to adapt.
 
  • 10
Reactions:

ahhheygao

Double-Peace Stegosaurus
54 Badges
Jan 2, 2013
3.028
5.849
  • Crusader Kings III
  • Crusader Kings II: Sword of Islam
  • Crusader Kings II: Sunset Invasion
  • Crusader Kings II: Sons of Abraham
  • Crusader Kings II: Conclave
  • 500k Club
  • Crusader Kings II: Monks and Mystics
  • Europa Universalis IV: Pre-order
  • Mount & Blade: Warband
  • Crusader Kings II: Way of Life
  • Stellaris: Leviathans Story Pack
  • Europa Universalis IV: Common Sense
  • Crusader Kings II: Horse Lords
  • Europa Universalis IV: Cossacks
  • Stellaris - Path to Destruction bundle
  • Stellaris
  • Stellaris: Galaxy Edition
  • Stellaris: Galaxy Edition
  • Hearts of Iron IV Sign-up
  • Stellaris Sign-up
  • Stellaris: Digital Anniversary Edition
  • Europa Universalis IV: Rights of Man
  • Crusader Kings II: Jade Dragon
  • Imperator: Rome Sign Up
  • Crusader Kings II: The Republic
  • Crusader Kings II: Holy Fury
  • Cities: Skylines - Parklife
  • Europa Universalis IV
  • War of the Roses
  • Steel Division: Normand 44 Sign-up
  • Europa Universalis IV: Mandate of Heaven
  • Europa Universalis III Complete
  • Europa Universalis III Complete
  • Crusader Kings II: Rajas of India
  • Crusader Kings II: The Old Gods
  • Crusader Kings II: Legacy of Rome
  • Crusader Kings II: Charlemagne
  • Europa Universalis IV: Res Publica
  • Europa Universalis IV: Call to arms event
  • Europa Universalis IV: Wealth of Nations
  • Europa Universalis IV: Conquest of Paradise
  • Europa Universalis IV: Art of War
  • Crusader Kings II
  • Cities: Skylines
  • Leviathan: Warships
  • Europa Universalis III
  • Europa Universalis III Complete
  • Crusader Kings II: Reapers Due
  • Stellaris: Synthetic Dawn
  • Pillars of Eternity
I am a newcommer to paradox 4x games, i tried to play hearts of iron 3, but it seems waary complicated to get into.
Hearts of Iron 3 (and Victoria 2) is extremely complicated even for Paradox grand strategy games, so that's not much of an indicator. Crusader Kings 2 and Europa Universalis 4 were far easier than HoI3 for new comers to get into.

Will Stellaris feature full tutorials, or do i need to play past 4x games to know how to play it?
No tutorials, but you'll have a voiced paperclip advisor showing you the ropes. Paradox designed Stellaris to be as accessible as possible, though perhaps even a bit overboard for my liking (no map modes and ledger reek of casualization). If you've played simple turned-based strategy games like Civ or Total War, you'll be fine. If you've played other complex space 4x like Distant Worlds Universe or Master of Orion 2, Stellaris should be a breeze.

If all else fails, watch the devs' stream in twitch or watch eventual Youtuber Let's Plays to get a general idea of how to play.
 
  • 1
  • 1
Reactions:

SirRoderick

Corporal
81 Badges
Jun 22, 2011
43
72
  • Magicka 2
  • Leviathan: Warships
  • Magicka
  • Europa Universalis IV: Res Publica
  • Semper Fi
  • Crusader Kings II
  • Sword of the Stars II
  • Victoria 2: A House Divided
  • Victoria 2: Heart of Darkness
  • War of the Vikings
  • Stellaris - Path to Destruction bundle
  • Sword of the Stars
  • Cities: Skylines - After Dark
  • Europa Universalis IV: Cossacks
  • Cities: Skylines - Snowfall
  • Stellaris: Leviathans Story Pack
  • Stellaris
  • Stellaris: Galaxy Edition
  • Stellaris: Galaxy Edition
  • Tyranny: Archon Edition
  • Europa Universalis IV: Rights of Man
  • Impire
  • Crusader Kings II: Charlemagne
  • Crusader Kings II: Legacy of Rome
  • Crusader Kings II: The Old Gods
  • Crusader Kings II: Rajas of India
  • Crusader Kings II: The Republic
  • Crusader Kings II: Sunset Invasion
  • Dungeonland
  • Europa Universalis III
  • Europa Universalis III: Chronicles
  • Divine Wind
  • Europa Universalis IV
  • Europa Universalis IV: Wealth of Nations
  • Knights of Pen and Paper +1 Edition
  • Heir to the Throne
  • Hearts of Iron III: Their Finest Hour
  • Hearts of Iron III
  • For the Motherland
  • Europa Universalis IV: Conquest of Paradise
  • Europa Universalis IV: Art of War
  • Europa Universalis 4: Emperor
  • Crusader Kings II: Conclave
  • Cities: Skylines
  • Victoria 2
  • Europa Universalis IV: Common Sense
  • Stellaris: Galaxy Edition
  • War of the Roses
  • Pillars of Eternity
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Cadet
Hi everybody

I am a newcommer to paradox 4x games, i tried to play hearts of iron 3, but it seems waary complicated to get into.

It was hard to resist to preorder stellaris as it seems like a perfect sci-fi x4 game for a sci fi nerd like me, so ofcause i bought it... now i just need to learn about all the concepts a paradox 4x games features, as i know it is not like any other 4x game.

Will Stellaris feature full tutorials, or do i need to play past 4x games to know how to play it?
You'll likely be able to pick it up just fine. And if you want to have a better look :

Them just playing it will give you some insight.
 
  • 3
Reactions:

Held der Arbeit

Cultist of the Unbidden
89 Badges
Mar 26, 2010
795
1.498
  • Europa Universalis IV: Third Rome
  • Hearts of Iron III
  • Hearts of Iron III: Their Finest Hour
  • Hearts of Iron III Collection
  • Leviathan: Warships
  • Magicka
  • Europa Universalis IV: Res Publica
  • Victoria: Revolutions
  • Rome Gold
  • Semper Fi
  • Stellaris: Apocalypse
  • Cities in Motion
  • Victoria 2: A House Divided
  • Victoria 2: Heart of Darkness
  • Rome: Vae Victis
  • Stellaris - Path to Destruction bundle
  • Knights of Honor
  • Cities: Skylines - After Dark
  • Europa Universalis IV: Cossacks
  • Cities: Skylines - Snowfall
  • Europa Universalis IV: Mare Nostrum
  • Europa Universalis IV: Wealth of Nations
  • Arsenal of Democracy
  • Cities in Motion 2
  • Crusader Kings II
  • Crusader Kings II: Charlemagne
  • Crusader Kings II: Legacy of Rome
  • Crusader Kings II: The Old Gods
  • Crusader Kings II: Rajas of India
  • Crusader Kings II: The Republic
  • Crusader Kings II: Sons of Abraham
  • Crusader Kings II: Sunset Invasion
  • Darkest Hour
  • Europa Universalis III
  • Europa Universalis III Complete
  • Divine Wind
  • Crusader Kings II: Sword of Islam
  • For the Motherland
  • Europa Universalis IV: Conquest of Paradise
  • Europa Universalis IV: Art of War
  • Europa Universalis IV
  • Stellaris Sign-up
  • Crusader Kings II: Conclave
  • Europa Universalis III Complete
  • Europa Universalis IV: Common Sense
  • Pillars of Eternity
  • Crusader Kings II: Way of Life
  • Europa Universalis IV: El Dorado
  • Crusader Kings III
  • 500k Club
I think Stellaris will be one of the easiest Paradox games to get into. Still much more complex than, say, Endless Space, but generally pretty straightforward.

And as others have mentioned, there will be an AI guiding you through the first steps, but I have a suspicion that this will mostly be the standard 4x fare while you will have to figure out the really deep mechanics (like how the varuius happiness and productivity modifiers work optimally) yourself.

But provided you are interested in the topic in general that should be no problem. It is quite possible to enjoy Paradox games for hundreds of hours even if you havent figured out all the intricacies of gameplay. I clock ~400hrs on EU4 now and I am still learning new things
 
  • 6
Reactions:

Koopatin

Major
98 Badges
Jan 10, 2016
512
1.071
  • Rome: Vae Victis
  • Leviathan: Warships
  • Magicka
  • Europa Universalis IV: Res Publica
  • Victoria: Revolutions
  • Cities in Motion 2
  • Sengoku
  • Sword of the Stars
  • Victoria 2
  • Victoria 2: A House Divided
  • Victoria 2: Heart of Darkness
  • Rome Gold
  • Warlock: Master of the Arcane
  • Cities: Skylines Deluxe Edition
  • Europa Universalis IV: Pre-order
  • Cities: Skylines - After Dark
  • Europa Universalis IV: Cossacks
  • Stellaris: Synthetic Dawn
  • Stellaris: Galaxy Edition
  • Europa Universalis IV: Third Rome
  • Crusader Kings II: Reapers Due
  • Hearts of Iron III
  • Crusader Kings II
  • Crusader Kings II: Legacy of Rome
  • Crusader Kings II: The Old Gods
  • Crusader Kings II: Rajas of India
  • Crusader Kings II: The Republic
  • Crusader Kings II: Sons of Abraham
  • Crusader Kings II: Sunset Invasion
  • Crusader Kings II: Sword of Islam
  • Darkest Hour
  • Dungeonland
  • Europa Universalis III: Chronicles
  • Heir to the Throne
  • Europa Universalis IV: Call to arms event
  • Europa Universalis IV: Wealth of Nations
  • Europa Universalis IV: Conquest of Paradise
  • Europa Universalis IV: Art of War
  • Divine Wind
  • Europa Universalis III
  • Europa Universalis IV: El Dorado
  • Supreme Ruler 2020
  • Crusader Kings II: Way of Life
  • Pillars of Eternity
  • Europa Universalis IV: Common Sense
  • Europa Universalis IV
  • The Showdown Effect
  • Cities: Skylines
  • Stellaris
  • Stellaris: Galaxy Edition
i would even say eu 4 is the easiest now until stellaris comes out. at least i had a harder time with ck2 compared to eu 4 and thought eu 4 was alot easier compared to eu3. buuut... memory is a fickle thing. in any case stellaris seems reasonable "easy" compared to the monsters other paradox games can be and other 4x games arent that easy to master either
 
  • 2
Reactions:

Droa

Recruit
48 Badges
Feb 16, 2013
8
9
scriptnerd.net
  • Cities in Motion 2
  • Stellaris: Synthetic Dawn
  • Stellaris
  • Cities: Skylines Deluxe Edition
  • Cities in Motion
  • Magicka
  • Lead and Gold
  • Impire
  • Europa Universalis IV: Wealth of Nations
  • Crusader Kings II
  • Dungeonland
  • Europa Universalis IV: Conquest of Paradise
  • Hearts of Iron III
  • Europa Universalis IV
  • Imperator: Rome Deluxe Edition
  • Island Bound
  • Cities: Skylines - Green Cities
  • Stellaris: Humanoids Species Pack
  • Stellaris: Apocalypse
  • Cities: Skylines - Parklife Pre-Order
  • Cities: Skylines - Parklife
  • Stellaris: Distant Stars
  • Cities: Skylines Industries
  • BATTLETECH: Flashpoint
  • Imperator: Rome
  • Prison Architect
  • BATTLETECH: Season pass
  • Age of Wonders: Planetfall
  • Age of Wonders: Planetfall Deluxe edition
  • Age of Wonders: Planetfall Sign Up
  • Prison Architect: Psych Ward
  • Stellaris: Galaxy Edition
  • Victoria 2
  • War of the Roses
  • Cities: Skylines
  • Magicka: Wizard Wars Founder Wizard
  • Magicka 2
  • Cities: Skylines - After Dark
  • Cities: Skylines - Snowfall
  • Stellaris: Galaxy Edition
  • Surviving Mars
  • Hearts of Iron IV Sign-up
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Cadet
  • Stellaris: Digital Anniversary Edition
  • Stellaris: Leviathans Story Pack
  • Cities: Skylines - Mass Transit
  • BATTLETECH
  • Stellaris - Path to Destruction bundle
thanks for all the nice tips, for what i can read, i should try my luck with EU4 to learn a little about what i can expect in stellaris, i think i have it in my library, but i never had time to play it, but i will try tonight, when i have some time :D
 
  • 1
Reactions:

skillincarnate

Private
54 Badges
Jan 30, 2011
17
54
  • Tyranny: Archon Edition
  • Victoria 2: Heart of Darkness
  • 500k Club
  • Cities: Skylines
  • Europa Universalis IV: El Dorado
  • Crusader Kings II: Way of Life
  • Europa Universalis IV: Common Sense
  • Europa Universalis IV: Cossacks
  • Stellaris
  • Stellaris: Galaxy Edition
  • Stellaris: Galaxy Edition
  • Stellaris Sign-up
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Cadet
  • Victoria 2: A House Divided
  • Stellaris: Digital Anniversary Edition
  • Stellaris: Leviathans Story Pack
  • Stellaris - Path to Destruction bundle
  • BATTLETECH
  • Stellaris: Synthetic Dawn
  • Stellaris: Humanoids Species Pack
  • Stellaris: Apocalypse
  • Cities: Skylines - Parklife Pre-Order
  • Cities: Skylines - Parklife
  • Stellaris: Distant Stars
  • BATTLETECH: Flashpoint
  • Crusader Kings III
  • Europa Universalis IV: Conquest of Paradise
  • Crusader Kings II: Charlemagne
  • Crusader Kings II: Legacy of Rome
  • Crusader Kings II: The Old Gods
  • Crusader Kings II: Rajas of India
  • Crusader Kings II: The Republic
  • Crusader Kings II: Sons of Abraham
  • Crusader Kings II: Sunset Invasion
  • Crusader Kings II: Sword of Islam
  • Europa Universalis III
  • Divine Wind
  • Europa Universalis IV
  • Europa Universalis IV: Art of War
  • Crusader Kings II
  • Europa Universalis IV: Wealth of Nations
  • For the Motherland
  • Hearts of Iron III
  • Hearts of Iron III: Their Finest Hour
  • Heir to the Throne
  • Europa Universalis III Complete
  • Europa Universalis III Complete
  • Europa Universalis IV: Res Publica
  • Victoria: Revolutions
  • Semper Fi
I honestly wouldn't worry too much. The nice thing about Stellaris is that you start with one planet and things gradually ramp up from there. That should give you time to get a feel for the game's mechanics before the complexity sets in. With other Paradox titles half the problem is you start out running a giant country where everything is already firing on all cylinders.
 
  • 4
Reactions:

Koopatin

Major
98 Badges
Jan 10, 2016
512
1.071
  • Rome: Vae Victis
  • Leviathan: Warships
  • Magicka
  • Europa Universalis IV: Res Publica
  • Victoria: Revolutions
  • Cities in Motion 2
  • Sengoku
  • Sword of the Stars
  • Victoria 2
  • Victoria 2: A House Divided
  • Victoria 2: Heart of Darkness
  • Rome Gold
  • Warlock: Master of the Arcane
  • Cities: Skylines Deluxe Edition
  • Europa Universalis IV: Pre-order
  • Cities: Skylines - After Dark
  • Europa Universalis IV: Cossacks
  • Stellaris: Synthetic Dawn
  • Stellaris: Galaxy Edition
  • Europa Universalis IV: Third Rome
  • Crusader Kings II: Reapers Due
  • Hearts of Iron III
  • Crusader Kings II
  • Crusader Kings II: Legacy of Rome
  • Crusader Kings II: The Old Gods
  • Crusader Kings II: Rajas of India
  • Crusader Kings II: The Republic
  • Crusader Kings II: Sons of Abraham
  • Crusader Kings II: Sunset Invasion
  • Crusader Kings II: Sword of Islam
  • Darkest Hour
  • Dungeonland
  • Europa Universalis III: Chronicles
  • Heir to the Throne
  • Europa Universalis IV: Call to arms event
  • Europa Universalis IV: Wealth of Nations
  • Europa Universalis IV: Conquest of Paradise
  • Europa Universalis IV: Art of War
  • Divine Wind
  • Europa Universalis III
  • Europa Universalis IV: El Dorado
  • Supreme Ruler 2020
  • Crusader Kings II: Way of Life
  • Pillars of Eternity
  • Europa Universalis IV: Common Sense
  • Europa Universalis IV
  • The Showdown Effect
  • Cities: Skylines
  • Stellaris
  • Stellaris: Galaxy Edition
thanks for all the nice tips, for what i can read, i should try my luck with EU4 to learn a little about what i can expect in stellaris, i think i have it in my library, but i never had time to play it, but i will try tonight, when i have some time :D

portugal or england are always nice choices for a nice first game. ^^
 
  • 1
Reactions:

Kaochi

Second Lieutenant
58 Badges
Dec 24, 2012
195
51
  • Hearts of Iron III Collection
  • Cities in Motion 2
  • Europa Universalis IV
  • Stellaris: Apocalypse
  • Knights of Honor
  • Stellaris: Nemesis
  • Age of Wonders III
  • Crusader Kings II: Jade Dragon
  • Stellaris: Humanoids Species Pack
  • BATTLETECH - Backer
  • Stellaris: Distant Stars
  • Stellaris: Megacorp
  • Crusader Kings II: Holy Fury
  • Stellaris: Ancient Relics
  • Stellaris: Lithoids
  • Stellaris: Federations
  • Crusader Kings III
  • Stellaris: Necroids
  • Crusader Kings II: Monks and Mystics
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Together for Victory
  • Stellaris: Leviathans Story Pack
  • Stellaris: Digital Anniversary Edition
  • Europa Universalis IV: Rights of Man
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Colonel
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Cadet
  • Stellaris Sign-up
  • Stellaris: Galaxy Edition
  • Stellaris
  • Crusader Kings II: Conclave
  • Europa Universalis IV: Cossacks
  • Crusader Kings II: Horse Lords
  • Europa Universalis IV: Common Sense
  • Crusader Kings II: Way of Life
  • Europa Universalis IV: El Dorado
I would say Ireland 1066 in CK2 is the easiest way to get in the game, but I am subjective since I'm not much a fan of eu4 since the 1.8 patch (and even before, 1.5 is my gold mark. Or 1.3 Moscovy, stomp on everyone like a giant green bully. THAT was fun. Crunch, expand, repeat.). Like everyone say, trial and reload is a good way to get into the game, and the wiki is a good help.
When I played HoI3, I always had the wiki open.
Stemmaros should be the easiest game made by Paradox to get into, but ... it's not out yet, so we can't trust the dev. :p
 
  • 1
Reactions:

doomdude1

Second Lieutenant
28 Badges
Aug 27, 2013
191
256
  • Crusader Kings II: Legacy of Rome
  • Victoria 2: Heart of Darkness
  • Victoria 2: A House Divided
  • Victoria 2
  • The Showdown Effect
  • Magicka
  • Leviathan: Warships
  • Hearts of Iron III
  • Europa Universalis IV
  • Dungeonland
  • Crusader Kings II: Sword of Islam
  • Crusader Kings II: Sunset Invasion
  • Europa Universalis III
  • Crusader Kings II: The Republic
  • Crusader Kings II: Rajas of India
  • Crusader Kings II: The Old Gods
  • Crusader Kings II
  • Shadowrun: Dragonfall
  • Shadowrun Returns
  • Crusader Kings II: Reapers Due
  • Crusader Kings II: Conclave
  • Crusader Kings II: Horse Lords
  • Crusader Kings II: Way of Life
  • Mount & Blade: Warband
  • Magicka: Wizard Wars Founder Wizard
  • War of the Roses
  • Warlock: Master of the Arcane
  • Teleglitch: Die More Edition
Hearts of Iron 3 (and Victoria 2) is extremely complicated even for Paradox grand strategy games, so that's not much of an indicator. Crusader Kings 2 and Europa Universalis 4 were far easier than HoI3 for new comers to get into.


No tutorials, but you'll have a voiced paperclip advisor showing you the ropes. Paradox designed Stellaris to be as accessible as possible, though perhaps even a bit overboard for my liking (no map modes and ledger reek of casualization). If you've played simple turned-based strategy games like Civ or Total War, you'll be fine. If you've played other complex space 4x like Distant Worlds Universe or Master of Orion 2, Stellaris should be a breeze.

If all else fails, watch the devs' stream in twitch or watch eventual Youtuber Let's Plays to get a general idea of how to play.
Yeah but what's the point of a game that doesn't take you 4 hours to start to grasp the basics?

As you may have guessed I'm also a DF masochist
 
  • 4
Reactions:

Mordaith

Major
94 Badges
Jan 1, 2013
535
1.450
www.twitch.tv
  • Stellaris: Nemesis
  • Stellaris: Federations
  • Crusader Kings III
  • Stellaris: Necroids
  • Sengoku
  • Stellaris: Megacorp
  • Crusader Kings II
  • Stellaris: Galaxy Edition
  • Stellaris: Galaxy Edition
  • Tyranny: Archon Edition
  • Stellaris: Ancient Relics
  • Tyranny - Tales from the Tiers
  • Crusader Kings II: Rajas of India
  • Crusader Kings II: The Republic
  • Crusader Kings II: Sons of Abraham
  • Crusader Kings II: Sunset Invasion
  • Stellaris: Lithoids
  • Crusader Kings II: The Old Gods
  • Crusader Kings II: Sword of Islam
  • Crusader Kings II: Legacy of Rome
  • Stellaris: Leviathans Story Pack
  • Crusader Kings II: Horse Lords
  • Crusader Kings II: Way of Life
  • Pillars of Eternity
  • Crusader Kings II: Charlemagne
  • Stellaris: Digital Anniversary Edition
  • Stellaris: Humanoids Species Pack
  • Stellaris: Apocalypse
  • Crusader Kings II: Jade Dragon
  • BATTLETECH - Digital Deluxe Edition
  • Surviving Mars
  • Stellaris: Distant Stars
  • Surviving Mars: First Colony Edition
  • Crusader Kings II: Holy Fury
  • 500k Club
  • BATTLETECH: Season pass
  • Age of Wonders: Planetfall
  • BATTLETECH: Heavy Metal
  • Age of Wonders: Planetfall - Revelations
  • Surviving Mars: First Colony Edition
When I told my usual bunch about this game coming out, as soon as they heard it was Paradox they started making that ... you know... disconcerting noise old people make when they see a piece of technology they don't understand. (I make it at some smartphones these days....) But after they got a chance to see the Blorgcast with @Wiz and @cKnoor and the learned that there would be a computer advisor, they realized that Paradox made it seem like priority one was to deliver an accessible game to as many people as possible.

Stellaris represents a fantastic leap in Grand Strategy games for the company and the players both. I think we are going to see some fantastic things from Stellaris as far as bringing new players to the community here.

The promise of Stellaris is ease in to larger GS mechanics from a familiar 4X start.
 
  • 2
Reactions:

hrimhari

First Lieutenant
75 Badges
Jul 4, 2015
278
202
  • Victoria 2: A House Divided
  • Europa Universalis IV: Rights of Man
  • Tyranny: Archon Edition
  • Stellaris: Galaxy Edition
  • Stellaris: Galaxy Edition
  • Europa Universalis IV: Mare Nostrum
  • Stellaris - Path to Destruction bundle
  • Europa Universalis IV: Third Rome
  • Rome: Vae Victis
  • Victoria 2: Heart of Darkness
  • Rome Gold
  • Victoria: Revolutions
  • Europa Universalis IV: Res Publica
  • Crusader Kings II: Sunset Invasion
  • Crusader Kings II: Charlemagne
  • Crusader Kings II: Legacy of Rome
  • Crusader Kings II: The Old Gods
  • Crusader Kings II: Rajas of India
  • Crusader Kings II: The Republic
  • Crusader Kings II: Sons of Abraham
  • Europa Universalis IV: Call to arms event
  • Crusader Kings II: Sword of Islam
  • Crusader Kings II
  • Europa Universalis IV: Art of War
  • Europa Universalis IV: Conquest of Paradise
  • Europa Universalis IV: Wealth of Nations
  • Stellaris: Nemesis
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Death or Dishonor
  • Surviving Mars
  • BATTLETECH
  • Europa Universalis IV: Mandate of Heaven
  • Tyranny - Bastards Wound
  • Crusader Kings II: Monks and Mystics
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Together for Victory
  • Europa Universalis IV: Cradle of Civilization
  • Stellaris: Leviathans Story Pack
  • Stellaris: Digital Anniversary Edition
  • Crusader Kings II: Reapers Due
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Colonel
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Cadet
  • Stellaris: Galaxy Edition
  • Stellaris
  • Crusader Kings II: Conclave
  • Europa Universalis IV: Cossacks
  • Crusader Kings II: Horse Lords
  • Europa Universalis IV: Common Sense
  • Pillars of Eternity
  • Crusader Kings II: Way of Life
  • Europa Universalis IV: El Dorado
  • Victoria 2
Speaking as someone with moderate-to-high 4x experience, I found ck2 (my first paradox game) very very very very very very very very very
*breathes in*
Very very very very very very hard to get into. I've recommended it to a few people, none of them slouches in strategy games and they've all failed to get into it. I describe paradox games as "aggressively unfriendly to newcomers".

BUT Stellaris may be different. The AI advisor, yay. Also, it looks like it handles a bit more easily than ck2 and eu4 and, most importantly, with closer analogues to other games of the same genre. Ck2 and eu4 are great games, don't think I'm dissing them. But they handle very very very differently to other similar games (ck2 especially). This is, of course, their strength. But paradox has, traditionally, done an awful job of communicating HOW they're different.

So yeah, Stellaris is one I'm recommending unconditionally to friends. I hope it lives up to it!
 
  • 1
Reactions:

Njordin

First Lieutenant
65 Badges
Feb 17, 2012
256
637
  • Crusader Kings II
  • Stellaris: Galaxy Edition
  • Stellaris: Synthetic Dawn
  • Victoria 2: Heart of Darkness
  • Victoria 2: A House Divided
  • Supreme Ruler: Cold War
  • Sword of the Stars II
  • Semper Fi
  • Victoria: Revolutions
  • Magicka
  • Leviathan: Warships
  • Heir to the Throne
  • Hearts of Iron III Collection
  • Hearts of Iron III: Their Finest Hour
  • Hearts of Iron III
  • A Game of Dwarves
  • Crusader Kings II: Charlemagne
  • Crusader Kings II: Legacy of Rome
  • Crusader Kings II: The Old Gods
  • Crusader Kings II: The Republic
  • Crusader Kings II: Sons of Abraham
  • Crusader Kings II: Sunset Invasion
  • Darkest Hour
  • Europa Universalis III
  • Crusader Kings II: Sword of Islam
  • Europa Universalis III: Chronicles
  • Divine Wind
  • For the Motherland
  • Crusader Kings II: Reapers Due
  • Stellaris: Digital Anniversary Edition
  • Stellaris: Apocalypse
  • Stellaris: Leviathans Story Pack
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Together for Victory
  • Stellaris: Necroids
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Death or Dishonor
  • Age of Wonders III
  • Stellaris: Distant Stars
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Expansion Pass
  • Stellaris: Humanoids Species Pack
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Cadet
  • Stellaris Sign-up
  • Stellaris: Galaxy Edition
  • Stellaris
  • Crusader Kings II: Way of Life
  • Mount & Blade: Warband
  • Europa Universalis IV: Pre-order
  • 500k Club
  • War of the Roses
  • Warlock: Master of the Arcane
  • Victoria 2
For some CK2 was very easy and for others hard. it´s hard to not offend someone if talking about the difficulty topic. i personally like overcomplex games, because they give me the feeling of real simulation, that´s why i have no hard time getting into those games and would never ever call CK2 a very complex game. it has some depth and many options but you never need an manual or wiki for actually playing it. Hoi3 instead, leaves you in the dark with many mechanics and looking for tutorials and wiki is recommended... but even that game "only" requires the player to learn the game, before actually playing it.

There are people out there actually calling Civilization 5 a very complex game and hard to learn (lol). It´s a matter of taste and willingness to (very oldschool) learn. I can fully understand if someone has no time or does not want to invest time in that, and just play and learn while playing. i actually prefer this method, too IF available, but its very hard time for developers to combine these things. Most times you have to cut out game sections and let the play learn one after another. Paradox gives you the full sandbox directly and says: here have some blablatext about the most basic things and then have fun. I´m very eager to see how PDX solved that in Hoi4.
 
Last edited:
  • 1
Reactions:

13Foxtrot

Colonel
104 Badges
Jan 16, 2005
964
1.961
  • Europa Universalis: Rome Collectors Edition
  • Semper Fi
  • Supreme Ruler: Cold War
  • Victoria 2
  • Victoria 2: A House Divided
  • Victoria 2: Heart of Darkness
  • Rome: Vae Victis
  • 500k Club
  • Cities: Skylines
  • Cities: Skylines Deluxe Edition
  • Crusader Kings II: Holy Knight (pre-order)
  • Europa Universalis IV: El Dorado
  • Europa Universalis IV: Pre-order
  • Europa Universalis: Rome
  • Crusader Kings II: Way of Life
  • Europa Universalis IV: Common Sense
  • Crusader Kings II: Horse Lords
  • Cities: Skylines - After Dark
  • Europa Universalis IV: Cossacks
  • Crusader Kings II: Conclave
  • Cities: Skylines - Snowfall
  • Europa Universalis IV: Mare Nostrum
  • Stellaris
  • Stellaris: Galaxy Edition
  • Stellaris: Galaxy Edition
  • Hearts of Iron IV: No Step Back
  • Divine Wind
  • Hearts of Iron II: Armageddon
  • Cities in Motion
  • Crusader Kings II
  • Crusader Kings II: Charlemagne
  • Crusader Kings II: Legacy of Rome
  • Crusader Kings II: The Old Gods
  • Crusader Kings II: Rajas of India
  • Crusader Kings II: The Republic
  • Crusader Kings II: Sons of Abraham
  • Crusader Kings II: Sword of Islam
  • Deus Vult
  • Europa Universalis III
  • Arsenal of Democracy
  • Europa Universalis IV
  • Europa Universalis IV: Art of War
  • Europa Universalis IV: Conquest of Paradise
  • Europa Universalis IV: Wealth of Nations
  • For the Motherland
  • Hearts of Iron III
  • Hearts of Iron III: Their Finest Hour
  • Heir to the Throne
  • Europa Universalis III Complete
  • Europa Universalis IV: Res Publica
everyone will have a different opinion because with Paradox there are so many different ways to play......personally I would start with EUIV and specifically playing Castille....

of course other people will say different things....you just have to try different things, and stay positive about the process. It will be very easy to get frusted at times, but once you get going it is fun as hell.

Don't worry about getting lost and keep trying different things. It is easy to get slaughtered and be the victim of crappy luck.