Which version of EU4 to purchase?

[jez9999]

So I'm in a bit of an uncommon situation, I guess. 10 years ago when EU4 was being released, I decided to go for EU3 instead. I liked it so much I've probably played thousands of hours of it by now. EU4 will be a major learning curve. But I want to try playing it now anyway, however I'm coming at it as a novice from EU3. I went to the "buy now" page and.... holy crap. It's a little more expensive than I expected.

The base game is £35, OK. Then to get up to "Rights of Man" it's £70 (!). All expansions up to 2021's Leviathan is £220. And everything up to Europa Universalis IV: Evangelical Majors Unit Pack is £305! I think this is probably the most expensive game I've ever seen to be honest. *sigh*

Is there any way to get it cheaper? Failing that, how important would you guys say those expansions beyond the base game are? Have you paid that kind of money to get them?!!

 

[Ujin]

Europa Universalis IV - Expansion Subscription on Steam

This subscription plan will allow you to experience the complete Europa Universalis IV experience without buying each expansion and content pack separately. This means access to all expansion packs and immersion packs, as well as a host of cosmetic content.

store.steampowered.com

 

[jez9999]

Does that require paying the £35 for the base game, then getting that subscription? Also, is there a minimum period for the subscription (kind of like a mobile phone contract)?

 

[Commonblob]

Does that require paying the £35 for the base game, then getting that subscription? Also, is there a minimum period for the subscription (kind of like a mobile phone contract)?

Afaik there is no minimum period, but you will never own the game. Best option is to wait for a discount. You can definitely get 75% off the base game and at least 50% of all the DLCs (except the latest). Potentially more if you look outside of steam.

 

[Banedon Runestar]

Summer and holiday sales can get you 50-75% on Steam.

Right as the Ukraine War started there was a Humble Bundle where you could get everything for about $30 US.

If you’re patient and willing to look a bit farther afield, you can get some good deals on the game and the DLC.

Another thing is that you don’t need * every * DLC. I think I have up to Leviathan currently, and I’ll likely look at snagging some more either during the Summer sales or during Christmas.

 

[jez9999]

And how would you guys say would be the best way to learn EU4 as someone coming from EU3? Looks pretty daunting from the YouTube video I've seen, but also with many base game engine similarities.

 

[Banedon Runestar]

There are guides on the Wiki and YouTube.
Pick some of the suggested tags and start, see what happens. You may not do everything perfectly, but you’ll learn. If you have specific questions then the boards are a good place to get pointers.