Newbie here, looking for game recommendation

[rawbeef64]

Hello everyone, I'm fairly new to this forum and to Paradox games.

I found Hearts of Iron II retail CD at a store near me, loved that description of the game, went home and googled a little about the game. It seemed fascinating and I noticed that HoI3 was also released. After a while I bought it via Steam and start playing, but as much as I loved its complexity, it was absolutely overwhelming. I (think I) like strategy games, but this was nothing I ever played before (I've considered Civilization a complex game until I say HoI3).

The curve was to steep for me and I backed down for a while, but I was nevertheless fascinated by the idea of such a rich game and occasionally I come back to it, while trying others fairly similar: Semper Fi, Arsenal of Democracy, Victoria, Victoria2 or Europa Universalis III, Supreme Ruler Cold War, playing with small nations to get a view on the game dynamics, to have it all under (apparent) control. At this moment, it's impossible for me to dig in all of them and I don't know which one suits me.

Graphical interface of HoI3 or Victoria 2 seems attractive, but I would prefer something set-up roughly between 1930s-1980s timespan. Also, I would like to focus more on social and economical development then on actual fighting battles (really nice touch the Space Race present in Supreme Ruler Cold War, loved the idea).

For instance, I would to see a small nation developing nuclear weapons or rockets (HoI), maybe even get into space (SRCW) while I could let the AI handles the army or even try to be neutral for a long, long time (yeah, I have a soft spot for rockets and space). Tried that in HoI3, not enough time to develop a sustainable economy for such projects since the war is starting.

Arsenal of Democracy or Supreme Ruler Cold War seems to be the winners here, but I really wouldn't mind any advice from you, veteran players. The interface of both games need some time to adjust (I don't want to say it's ugly, let's just say that HoI3 and Victoria2's interface are much more clean and elegant at a first look then the rest above mentioned games).

I'm open to any mods or games that were not mentioned here. Thanks.

 

[Castellon]

Victoria is more economic and Social vs being all about war. Maybe find or start a Modern day scenario for it.
And Welcome to the forums.

 

[rawbeef64]

Victoria is more economic and Social vs being all about war. Maybe find or start a Modern day scenario for it.

I suppose that's also valid for Victoria 2, right?

And Welcome to the forums.

Thanks!

 

[Castellon]

Yes correct I was Speaking of Victoria as a Series.
EU strikes a balance.
HOI is more Military
Vic is more Economic
CK is more Character driven.
Those are only the very broadest strokes of course.

 

[Mythtern5]

Yes correct I was Speaking of Victoria as a Series.
EU strikes a balance.
HOI is more Military
Vic is more Economic
CK is more Character driven.
Those are only the very broadest strokes of course.

+1. Also, Welcome to the forums!

 

[flame7926]

I've only played victoria 2 and eu3 but vic2 was less complecated, and since you like building your economy and country not militarily, that seems the best, but you dont actually do that much to affect your country.

 

[rawbeef64]

I've discovered Crusader Kings II in the mean-time and I love the game. I find it better than EU and more approachable than HoI, with more fun than Victoria. However, I can't wait to see East vs. West project, but for the time being I'm in love to Crusader Kings. It's the perfect continuation of the games I used to play with MTW (the very first installment), when I ignored the battles and just focused on the Europe map, trying to conquer it b (simulated) battles and religious domination. CKII is a much better game from this perspective, a lot, lot richer with very nice challenges ahead. Still learning how to play it (I've spend my weekend watching Let's Play YouTube videos) but I can say that it quickly became my favorite Paradox game.

 

[Esben_DRK]

I've discovered Crusader Kings II in the mean-time and I love the game. I find it better than EU and more approachable than HoI, with more fun than Victoria. However, I can't wait to see East vs. West project, but for the time being I'm in love to Crusader Kings. It's the perfect continuation of the games I used to play with MTW (the very first installment), when I ignored the battles and just focused on the Europe map, trying to conquer it b (simulated) battles and religious domination. CKII is a much better game from this perspective, a lot, lot richer with very nice challenges ahead. Still learning how to play it (I've spend my weekend watching Let's Play YouTube videos) but I can say that it quickly became my favorite Paradox game.

Crusader Kings II is a fantastic game, and in my experience by far the easiest PDS game to approach without prior experience. On the contrary I'd say that Victoria I would be the hardest PDS game to approach without prior experience. In general I'd suggest not to play games from the old Europa [EU2, HoI2, V1, CK1] engine (Unless it is one of the outsourced engine projects) but instead stick to the Clausewitz [EU3, HoI3, EU:R, V2, Sengoku, CK2] engine, which explains things better and has a more accessible interface. There are some major design differences between the two engines which keeps getting me back to the old games, but I'd guess that for a relative newcomer it is most important to know what is going on.
For all Clausewitz engines there are similarities, so experiences you pick up in CK2 will often ease the entry into the other games of the same engine, and also into older games, if you still desire the economic, social and geopolitical challenge of V2, several general interface things in CK2 will help you along the way.