Why do you prever Europa Universalis 4 over Crusader Kings 2?

  • 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.

Philadelphus

Not the Ptolemy. Nor the shrub.
75 Badges
Feb 8, 2015
931
927
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Death or Dishonor
  • Crusader Kings II
  • Stellaris - Path to Destruction bundle
  • Stellaris: Megacorp
  • Europa Universalis IV: Dharma
  • Stellaris: Nemesis
  • Stellaris: Necroids
  • Cities: Skylines - Green Cities
  • Europa Universalis 4: Emperor
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Expansion Pass
  • Stellaris: Humanoids Species Pack
  • Stellaris: Apocalypse
  • Europa Universalis IV: Rule Britannia
  • Cities: Skylines - Parklife
  • Stellaris: Distant Stars
  • Stellaris: Federations
  • Surviving Mars: First Colony Edition
  • Europa Universalis IV: Mandate of Heaven
  • Crusader Kings II: Holy Fury
  • Europa Universalis IV: Golden Century
  • Imperator: Rome Deluxe Edition
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Expansion Pass
  • Cities: Skylines - Campus
  • Stellaris: Lithoids
  • Hearts of Iron IV: La Resistance
  • Hearts of Iron IV Sign-up
  • Europa Universalis IV
  • Cities: Skylines
  • Europa Universalis IV: El Dorado
  • Crusader Kings II: Way of Life
  • Magicka 2
  • Europa Universalis IV: Common Sense
  • Crusader Kings II: Horse Lords
  • Magicka 2: Ice, Death and Fury
  • Crusader Kings II: Conclave
  • Surviving Mars
  • Stellaris Sign-up
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Cadet
  • Crusader Kings II: Reapers Due
  • Europa Universalis IV: Rights of Man
  • Stellaris: Digital Anniversary Edition
  • Stellaris: Leviathans Story Pack
  • Cities: Skylines - Natural Disasters
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Together for Victory
  • Crusader Kings II: Monks and Mystics
  • Cities: Skylines - Mass Transit
  • Cities: Skylines Deluxe Edition
Ck2 has always been a bit frustrating for me. I really want to love it and have around 100h (not much by paradox standards) played and yet have never felt that I've truly gotten into the game.
Are...are you secretly me? o_O That's exactly how I feel about it.
 

moscal

Field Marshal
55 Badges
Jan 6, 2012
3.942
3.027
  • Crusader Kings II
  • Victoria 2: Heart of Darkness
  • Victoria 2: A House Divided
  • Victoria: Revolutions
  • Europa Universalis IV: Res Publica
  • Heir to the Throne
  • Europa Universalis IV: Wealth of Nations
  • Europa Universalis IV: Conquest of Paradise
  • Europa Universalis IV: Art of War
  • Divine Wind
  • Europa Universalis III Complete
  • Crusader Kings II: Conclave
  • Crusader Kings II: Way of Life
  • Pillars of Eternity
  • Europa Universalis IV: Common Sense
  • Crusader Kings II: Horse Lords
  • Europa Universalis IV: Rule Britannia
  • Europa Universalis IV: Dharma
  • Europa Universalis IV: Cossacks
  • Europa Universalis IV: Cradle of Civilization
  • Age of Wonders III
  • Crusader Kings II: Reapers Due
  • Stellaris
  • Europa Universalis IV: Mandate of Heaven
  • Stellaris: Galaxy Edition
  • Crusader Kings II: Monks and Mystics
  • Stellaris: Leviathans Story Pack
  • Tyranny: Archon Edition
  • Europa Universalis IV: Golden Century
  • Europa Universalis IV: Rights of Man
  • Europa Universalis IV: El Dorado
  • Europa Universalis 4: Emperor
  • Imperator: Rome
  • Europa Universalis IV
  • Europa Universalis III Complete
  • Europa Universalis III Complete
  • Victoria 2
  • Warlock: Master of the Arcane
  • 500k Club
  • Magicka: Wizard Wars Founder Wizard
  • Europa Universalis IV: Mare Nostrum
  • Europa Universalis IV: Call to arms event
  • Crusader Kings II: Sword of Islam
  • Crusader Kings II: Sunset Invasion
  • Crusader Kings II: Sons of Abraham
  • Crusader Kings II: The Republic
  • Europa Universalis IV: Third Rome
  • Crusader Kings II: Rajas of India
  • Crusader Kings II: The Old Gods
  • Crusader Kings II: Legacy of Rome
EU4 is like a "PDX-paint" - you can only paint the map in your color. In CK2 or V2 you can have very interesting game and don't do any one war. In EU4 peacetime is "boring-time" - look at New World Nations. First decades is modernization and conquest what you can. Next is sleeping time 100 or 150 years (waiting to colonize and tech-up) and in ende you can do anything interesting (war with whites ofc).

EU4 is too much controllable; too much yes/no. You have easy way to control on any aspect of country and any troubles are only your fault.
 

lymond

Lt. General
45 Badges
Dec 30, 2008
1.500
587
  • Crusader Kings II
  • Europa Universalis IV: Mare Nostrum
  • Pillars of Eternity
  • Europa Universalis IV: Pre-order
  • Europa Universalis IV: Res Publica
  • Europa Universalis III Complete
  • Europa Universalis III Complete
  • 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: Chronicles
  • Cities in Motion
  • 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
  • Deus Vult
  • Europa Universalis III
  • Europa Universalis IV: Golden Century
  • Europa Universalis IV: Dharma
  • Europa Universalis IV: Rule Britannia
  • Europa Universalis IV: Cradle of Civilization
  • Age of Wonders III
  • Europa Universalis IV: Mandate of Heaven
  • Europa Universalis IV: Rights of Man
  • Crusader Kings II: Reapers Due
  • Europa Universalis 4: Emperor
  • Crusader Kings II: Conclave
  • Europa Universalis IV: Cossacks
  • Crusader Kings II: Horse Lords
  • Europa Universalis IV: Common Sense
  • Crusader Kings II: Way of Life
  • Mount & Blade: Warband
  • Europa Universalis IV: El Dorado
  • 500k Club
  • Warlock: Master of the Arcane
  • Europa Universalis IV
  • Europa Universalis IV: Third Rome
I was really immersed in CK2 years ago..played it at release and before EU IV. I actually like the timeframe better myself. I would not say so much I prefer EUIV over CK2, it's just once EUIV came out it just took over. I think CK has more intricate gameplay in many respects, probably even deeper now, but haven't played since the last few DLCs. The one issue with CK is I think the combat/army management could be better. Maybe it has improved, but EUIV is more straightforward for sure. Managing armies and generals is a pita, and it seems much harder to wipe out enemies, often having to chase them all over the place since they can simply run anywhere...but maybe that is just me.

The dynastic stuff is really cool though. I could spend hours just spreading my seed.

Actually, I really plan to get back into CK again at some point.
 

Talar

Major
51 Badges
Jun 26, 2004
792
130
  • Europa Universalis IV: Third Rome
  • Crusader Kings II: Conclave
  • Europa Universalis IV: Mare Nostrum
  • Stellaris
  • Hearts of Iron IV Sign-up
  • Stellaris Sign-up
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Cadet
  • Crusader Kings II: Reapers Due
  • Europa Universalis IV: Rights of Man
  • Stellaris: Leviathans Story Pack
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Together for Victory
  • Stellaris - Path to Destruction bundle
  • Cities: Skylines - Mass Transit
  • Europa Universalis IV: Cossacks
  • Surviving Mars
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Death or Dishonor
  • Stellaris: Synthetic Dawn
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Expansion Pass
  • Stellaris: Apocalypse
  • Surviving Mars: Digital Deluxe Edition
  • Cities: Skylines Industries
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Expansion Pass
  • Prison Architect
  • Hearts of Iron IV: La Resistance
  • Europa Universalis 4: Emperor
  • Victoria 3 Sign Up
  • Hearts of Iron III Collection
  • Hearts of Iron II: Armageddon
  • Crusader Kings II
  • 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
  • Deus Vult
  • Europa Universalis III: Chronicles
  • Europa Universalis IV
  • Europa Universalis IV: Art of War
  • Europa Universalis IV: Wealth of Nations
  • Arsenal of Democracy
  • Knights of Pen and Paper +1 Edition
  • Europa Universalis IV: Res Publica
  • Victoria 2
  • Victoria 2: A House Divided
  • 500k Club
  • Cities: Skylines
  • Crusader Kings II: Holy Knight (pre-order)
  • Europa Universalis IV: Pre-order
  • Crusader Kings II: Way of Life
  • Europa Universalis IV: Common Sense
EU4 is when I feel like bringing out the big painting brush. CK2 when I want to do more roleplaying and just see what happens. Both are great games, but I'm more inclined towards painting so EU4 get more of my playing time.
 

TBM035

Sergeant
74 Badges
Aug 14, 2016
92
0
  • Hearts of Iron III: Their Finest Hour
  • Europa Universalis IV: Cossacks
  • Europa Universalis IV: Mandate of Heaven
  • Europa Universalis IV: Mare Nostrum
  • Stellaris
  • Cities: Skylines Deluxe Edition
  • Stellaris - Path to Destruction bundle
  • Warlock 2: Wrath of the Nagas
  • Victoria 2: Heart of Darkness
  • Victoria 2: A House Divided
  • Semper Fi
  • Victoria: Revolutions
  • Hearts of Iron III Collection
  • Hearts of Iron III
  • For the Motherland
  • Crusader Kings II
  • Crusader Kings II: Charlemagne
  • Crusader Kings II: Legacy of Rome
  • Crusader Kings II: The Old Gods
  • A Game of Dwarves
  • Crusader Kings II: Sword of Islam
  • Crusader Kings II: Sunset Invasion
  • Crusader Kings II: Rajas of India
  • Crusader Kings II: Sons of Abraham
  • Crusader Kings II: The Republic
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Cadet
  • Crusader Kings II: Conclave
  • Stellaris: Galaxy Edition
  • Crusader Kings II: Reapers Due
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Colonel
  • Stellaris: Leviathans Story Pack
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Field Marshal
  • Stellaris: Digital Anniversary Edition
  • Crusader Kings II: Monks and Mystics
  • Europa Universalis IV: Rights of Man
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Expansion Pass
  • Crusader Kings II: Horse Lords
  • Europa Universalis IV: Common Sense
  • Crusader Kings II: Way of Life
  • Mount & Blade: Warband
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Death or Dishonor
  • Europa Universalis IV: El Dorado
  • Cities: Skylines
  • Warlock 2: The Exiled
  • Victoria 2
  • Stellaris: Humanoids Species Pack
  • Europa Universalis IV: Cradle of Civilization
  • Stellaris: Apocalypse
  • Europa Universalis IV: Rule Britannia
  • Island Bound
I played CK 2 for a long time. I even played its pirate version hehe... sorry Paradox. Also CK 1... there was sooo much hype around CK 2 release. I am still waiting for a new Victoria game tho.

I love CK2, but it definetely has some things I really deslike.

Like... that broken tutorial! I know the game interface keeps changing with every new expansion but come on, this issue is so old, its a really sloppy work. EU4 has tons of dlcs and so far the tutorial is working out...

Like when you start with an old ruler and the game ends in less than 5 years.

When you play a merchant with business focus and always get stressed and die.

When you get cuckholded over and over again.

When your ruler sends the spy to ... what was that? Uncover corruption? Then he sudenly hates you guts because apparently you are a pederast?

Gavelkind and how you are stuck to it unless you risk Elective or Seniority (I once died and first thing I saw was this gay ruler, the oldest dinasty member, with seduction focus trying to seduce a man? And he had many gay lovers!). Haha... only in CK2!

One of the most boring things about CK2 is the waiting... you choose to start as a low count and ... fabricate for hours and hours... sometimes you stare at the screen for way too long. I dont like speeding up the game but, unless you do that it feels a bit... well.

The courtiers still dont get married on their own..Being a perfectionist and choosing the best matches for them, trying to bring the best tutors to your court every few years... quite a chore.

I dont know much about EU4. I played EU3 a bit, now I bought the collection since its on sale (finally!). Didnt expect I had to buy some dlcs besides the collection pack to have every thing (the collection is quite expensive already but having to buy 4 more dlc to have everything?!? Paradox come on...).

Europa Universalis 4... well, its beautiful! The butons the tabs, the map, the music, the feeling... it feels really really polished! Its really cute!

In CK2 you have some songs being played over and over again... theres a song that feels like an endless loop when it repeats the same part some 6 times omg! It feels... heavy. The music is intense, loud, you play ERE and it feels like you are at wat all the time!

You click at some tabs and you hear the noise of people whispering, in an endless loop... makes me want to close the tab asap so I can end the noise! Maybe complaining about this is a bit too much, am I being a douche now hehe? I played this game too much...

But EU4 music feels relaxing, gives another atmosphere... another feeling. Yet, the starting song, that viking metal or whatever, I hate that.

It feels a bit intimidating too... deep and complex with so much information and butons and options. Looks even more complex than HoI4 (if you dont count the whole unity composition thing). It shall be a pleasure to tame this new horse into submission!

Sadly I cant give much feedback on deeper ingame mechanics since I am still a noob at EU4. Hopefully I wont have to stare at a changeless screen for too long.

To be honest, with this music, this art and polishment, I wouldnt mind that too much :p

Last but not least, please forgive my many english misspellings.
 
Last edited:

Philadelphus

Not the Ptolemy. Nor the shrub.
75 Badges
Feb 8, 2015
931
927
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Death or Dishonor
  • Crusader Kings II
  • Stellaris - Path to Destruction bundle
  • Stellaris: Megacorp
  • Europa Universalis IV: Dharma
  • Stellaris: Nemesis
  • Stellaris: Necroids
  • Cities: Skylines - Green Cities
  • Europa Universalis 4: Emperor
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Expansion Pass
  • Stellaris: Humanoids Species Pack
  • Stellaris: Apocalypse
  • Europa Universalis IV: Rule Britannia
  • Cities: Skylines - Parklife
  • Stellaris: Distant Stars
  • Stellaris: Federations
  • Surviving Mars: First Colony Edition
  • Europa Universalis IV: Mandate of Heaven
  • Crusader Kings II: Holy Fury
  • Europa Universalis IV: Golden Century
  • Imperator: Rome Deluxe Edition
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Expansion Pass
  • Cities: Skylines - Campus
  • Stellaris: Lithoids
  • Hearts of Iron IV: La Resistance
  • Hearts of Iron IV Sign-up
  • Europa Universalis IV
  • Cities: Skylines
  • Europa Universalis IV: El Dorado
  • Crusader Kings II: Way of Life
  • Magicka 2
  • Europa Universalis IV: Common Sense
  • Crusader Kings II: Horse Lords
  • Magicka 2: Ice, Death and Fury
  • Crusader Kings II: Conclave
  • Surviving Mars
  • Stellaris Sign-up
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Cadet
  • Crusader Kings II: Reapers Due
  • Europa Universalis IV: Rights of Man
  • Stellaris: Digital Anniversary Edition
  • Stellaris: Leviathans Story Pack
  • Cities: Skylines - Natural Disasters
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Together for Victory
  • Crusader Kings II: Monks and Mystics
  • Cities: Skylines - Mass Transit
  • Cities: Skylines Deluxe Edition
But EU4 music feels relaxing, gives another atmosphere... another feeling. Yet, the starting song, that viking metal or whatever, I hate that.
I'm guessing you have the Guns, Drums, and Steel music pack? That replaces several songs (including the main theme) with some more metal versions. You can disable the DLC if you prefer the original main theme.
 

TBM035

Sergeant
74 Badges
Aug 14, 2016
92
0
  • Hearts of Iron III: Their Finest Hour
  • Europa Universalis IV: Cossacks
  • Europa Universalis IV: Mandate of Heaven
  • Europa Universalis IV: Mare Nostrum
  • Stellaris
  • Cities: Skylines Deluxe Edition
  • Stellaris - Path to Destruction bundle
  • Warlock 2: Wrath of the Nagas
  • Victoria 2: Heart of Darkness
  • Victoria 2: A House Divided
  • Semper Fi
  • Victoria: Revolutions
  • Hearts of Iron III Collection
  • Hearts of Iron III
  • For the Motherland
  • Crusader Kings II
  • Crusader Kings II: Charlemagne
  • Crusader Kings II: Legacy of Rome
  • Crusader Kings II: The Old Gods
  • A Game of Dwarves
  • Crusader Kings II: Sword of Islam
  • Crusader Kings II: Sunset Invasion
  • Crusader Kings II: Rajas of India
  • Crusader Kings II: Sons of Abraham
  • Crusader Kings II: The Republic
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Cadet
  • Crusader Kings II: Conclave
  • Stellaris: Galaxy Edition
  • Crusader Kings II: Reapers Due
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Colonel
  • Stellaris: Leviathans Story Pack
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Field Marshal
  • Stellaris: Digital Anniversary Edition
  • Crusader Kings II: Monks and Mystics
  • Europa Universalis IV: Rights of Man
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Expansion Pass
  • Crusader Kings II: Horse Lords
  • Europa Universalis IV: Common Sense
  • Crusader Kings II: Way of Life
  • Mount & Blade: Warband
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Death or Dishonor
  • Europa Universalis IV: El Dorado
  • Cities: Skylines
  • Warlock 2: The Exiled
  • Victoria 2
  • Stellaris: Humanoids Species Pack
  • Europa Universalis IV: Cradle of Civilization
  • Stellaris: Apocalypse
  • Europa Universalis IV: Rule Britannia
  • Island Bound
I'm guessing you have the Guns, Drums, and Steel music pack? That replaces several songs (including the main theme) with some more metal versions. You can disable the DLC if you prefer the original main theme.
Yes... just had the unfortunate experience of listening to this endless stream of metal songs. Sabaton, then another sabaton, and another sabaton.
Guess I will have to disable 3 dlcs to keep the game pleasant and climatic, in my subjective perspective, if one cant be redundant enough heh!
Thanks!
 

TenshiN

Fanatic Furifier
96 Badges
Sep 3, 2013
1.644
900
steamcommunity.com
  • Cities: Skylines Deluxe Edition
  • Crusader Kings II: Reapers Due
  • Stellaris: Galaxy Edition
  • Tyranny - Tales from the Tiers
  • Cities: Skylines - Snowfall
  • Cities: Skylines - Natural Disasters
  • Europa Universalis IV: Cossacks
  • Cities: Skylines - After Dark
  • Crusader Kings II
  • Stellaris - Path to Destruction bundle
  • Europa Universalis IV: Third Rome
  • Victoria 2: Heart of Darkness
  • Victoria 2: A House Divided
  • Hearts of Iron III: Their Finest Hour
  • Stellaris: Synthetic Dawn
  • Europa Universalis IV: Art of War
  • Europa Universalis IV: Conquest of Paradise
  • Europa Universalis IV: Wealth of Nations
  • Europa Universalis IV: Call to arms event
  • For the Motherland
  • Hearts of Iron III
  • Sengoku
  • Hearts of Iron III Collection
  • Crusader Kings II: Jade Dragon
  • Europa Universalis IV: Res Publica
  • Semper Fi
  • Crusader Kings II: Monks and Mystics
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Together for Victory
  • Cities: Skylines - Mass Transit
  • Stellaris: Nemesis
  • Crusader Kings II: Horse Lords
  • Surviving Mars
  • Stellaris: Leviathans Story Pack
  • Stellaris: Digital Anniversary Edition
  • Tyranny: Archon Edition
  • Europa Universalis IV: Rights of Man
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Death or Dishonor
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Colonel
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Cadet
  • Hearts of Iron IV Sign-up
  • Stellaris: Galaxy Edition
  • Crusader Kings II: Conclave
  • Europa Universalis IV: Common Sense
  • Pillars of Eternity
  • Crusader Kings II: Way of Life
  • Pride of Nations
  • Europa Universalis IV: Pre-order
  • Europa Universalis IV: El Dorado
  • Cities: Skylines
  • Victoria 2
Because for me, CK2 is too much information fluff without much actual essense.Yet it is perfect for roleplaying exactly for this reason/
There are hundreds of characters - yet they are all the same, save different stats. Character with 0 in military winning a tournament isn't all that rare too.
There are thousands of events - yet they are only interesting the first time you see them, which passes pretty fast
There are tons of stats and rules - yet i would only ever use a few of them to actually play the game.
The game's defining features like inheritance and de-jure claims are pointless once you know how easy it is to bypass them.
You think that the game has much to do, yet in the end, it is still the good ol' map painting, as you soon end up with all the building upgraded, all the trade depots built, all the provinces in your empire secured, vassals pacified and happy for now, inheritance secured as well, and the only thing that is left is fighting. The same as EU4. Yet the warfare in EU4 is much more detailed, much more interesting, with every stat and rule you get is useful in particular cases. With the combat AI being much better as well. The only CK2 thing i like more than EU4 is its attrition system. It is high enough to make an impact.
CK2 is a great game too for which i have every dlc - i just would not choose it when i want to play a strategy game. And i want to play a strategy game most of the time.

tl;dr both game end up being about the map painting, and eu4 does the map painting better
 

raikaria

Field Marshal
42 Badges
Dec 20, 2014
2.748
1.319
  • Crusader Kings II
  • Stellaris: Apocalypse
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Cadet
  • Crusader Kings II: Reapers Due
  • Europa Universalis IV: Rights of Man
  • Stellaris: Leviathans Story Pack
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Together for Victory
  • Crusader Kings II: Monks and Mystics
  • Europa Universalis IV: Mandate of Heaven
  • Stellaris: Synthetic Dawn
  • Europa Universalis IV: Cradle of Civilization
  • Stellaris
  • Europa Universalis IV: Rule Britannia
  • Europa Universalis IV: Dharma
  • Stellaris: Megacorp
  • Crusader Kings II: Holy Fury
  • Prison Architect
  • Stellaris: Federations
  • Crusader Kings III
  • Europa Universalis 4: Emperor
  • Stellaris: Nemesis
  • 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
  • Victoria 2: Heart of Darkness
  • Victoria 2
  • Europa Universalis IV
  • Crusader Kings II: Charlemagne
  • Europa Universalis IV: Mare Nostrum
  • Crusader Kings II: The Old Gods
  • Crusader Kings II: Rajas of India
  • Crusader Kings II: Sons of Abraham
  • Crusader Kings II: Sword of Islam
  • Europa Universalis IV: Art of War
  • Europa Universalis IV: Conquest of Paradise
  • Europa Universalis IV: Wealth of Nations
  • Magicka
  • Europa Universalis IV: Res Publica
  • Stellaris - Path to Destruction bundle
EU4 has more replayability and control.

The simple fact is a lot of CK2 is the 'characters'; with a lot of their traits and such being beyond your control; or at best an RNG choice from a rather limited pool of events. Nomatter what country you play.

There is a difference to some degree based on other religions; but that's really about it.

Compare EU4. Most countries play rather differently due to countries having different idea sets; giving them different strengths and weaknesses. You can change how your country functions based on the Idea groups and policies you take.

An example is France. You could totally play France as a 'peacekeeper' using it's powerful starting position and status as a Great Power to intervene in wars, keeping others weak but not actively expansing yourself. Or you could play a France who attempts to crush the HRE. Or go more naval and be a real contestant in the Colonial game; threatening GB and Spain. Or you could go full-on Imperialist. Or even go Habsurg style and go after thrones. Do you Reform; or stay Catholic?

Finally... EU4 simply has more starting positions; upping it's replayability over CK2 further.
 

Grave461

Captain
84 Badges
Nov 7, 2014
398
332
  • Victoria 3 Sign Up
  • Crusader Kings III
  • Stellaris: Nemesis
  • Crusader Kings II
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Colonel
  • Stellaris: Galaxy Edition
  • Europa Universalis IV
  • Imperator: Rome
  • Victoria 2
  • Victoria: Revolutions
  • Tyranny: Gold Edition
  • Cities: Skylines
  • Europa Universalis IV: Res Publica
  • Hearts of Iron IV: La Resistance
  • Europa Universalis IV: Wealth of Nations
  • Stellaris: Megacorp
  • Europa Universalis IV: Conquest of Paradise
  • Crusader Kings II: Sword of Islam
  • Victoria 2: A House Divided
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Together for Victory
  • Stellaris: Digital Anniversary Edition
  • Crusader Kings II: Way of Life
  • Stellaris: Leviathans Story Pack
  • Crusader Kings II: Monks and Mystics
  • Europa Universalis IV: Rights of Man
  • Cities: Skylines - Mass Transit
  • Europa Universalis IV: Mandate of Heaven
  • Victoria 2: Heart of Darkness
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Death or Dishonor
  • Crusader Kings II: Horse Lords
  • Cities: Skylines - Green Cities
  • Europa Universalis IV: Common Sense
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Expansion Pass
  • Crusader Kings II: Jade Dragon
  • Stellaris: Humanoids Species Pack
  • Stellaris: Apocalypse
  • Europa Universalis IV: Rule Britannia
  • Cities: Skylines - Parklife
  • Stellaris: Distant Stars
  • Europa Universalis IV: Dharma
  • Crusader Kings II: Holy Fury
  • Europa Universalis IV: Golden Century
  • Cities: Skylines - Campus
  • Stellaris: Ancient Relics
  • Stellaris: Lithoids
  • Stellaris: Federations
  • Imperator: Rome - Magna Graecia
  • Battle for Bosporus
  • Europa Universalis 4: Emperor
  • Stellaris: Necroids
Hello together,
first of all:
This is not an EU4 vs CK2 Thread.
I played hundreds of hours EU4 in my Life
and used to enjoy it very much.
But 2 weeks ago i started CK2.
Im having much more fun then in EU4.
Now im not sure wether it is because im some kind of bored from EU4 after playing it that much, or CK2 simply beeing the better game (for me).

Im very curious about your opinion!
@the people here who also have experience in CK2:
What exactly makes you prefer EU4 over CK2?

I wouldn't say I prefer EU4 over CK2 per se... but they both fulfill different needs for me. What I like about EU4 is the national identity that you create during the coarse of the game. If you play a grand campaign between CK2 and EU4, you'll notice that in CK2 your focus is on the personal interactions of your ruler, between other characters. When you take a game and import it into EU4, you take that same political landscape and watch it slowly transform with national policies and nation building. You see smaller kingdoms get absorbed into larger nations, you get to shape your nation with Ideas, and you can branch out from just a regional kingdom in Europe to a global super power.

For me, I always start CK2 as a single county Count, and see how large I can make my domain by the end of EU4 in 1821. It's like planting a seed and watching the tree grow. :)
 

MaP_Prime

Captain
71 Badges
Dec 9, 2012
461
196
  • Crusader Kings II
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Together for Victory
  • Crusader Kings II: Conclave
  • Stellaris
  • Stellaris: Galaxy Edition
  • Stellaris: Ancient Relics
  • Stellaris Sign-up
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Cadet
  • Stellaris: Necroids
  • Europa Universalis IV: Rights of Man
  • Tyranny: Archon Edition
  • Stellaris: Digital Anniversary Edition
  • Stellaris: Leviathans Story Pack
  • Europa Universalis IV: Cossacks
  • Crusader Kings II: Monks and Mystics
  • Stellaris: Federations
  • Europa Universalis IV: Mandate of Heaven
  • Imperator: Rome Sign Up
  • BATTLETECH
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Death or Dishonor
  • Stellaris: Apocalypse
  • Tyranny - Bastards Wound
  • Europa Universalis IV: Cradle of Civilization
  • Stellaris: Humanoids Species Pack
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Expansion Pass
  • BATTLETECH - Beta Backer
  • Stellaris: Distant Stars
  • Stellaris: Nemesis
  • BATTLETECH: Season pass
  • BATTLETECH - Backer
  • Imperator: Rome Deluxe Edition
  • Crusader Kings II: Holy Fury
  • BATTLETECH: Heavy Metal
  • Victoria 2
  • Europa Universalis IV: Rule Britannia
  • Stellaris: Lithoids
  • 500k Club
  • Europa Universalis IV: El Dorado
  • Crusader Kings II: Way of Life
  • Crusader Kings II: Horse Lords
  • Europa Universalis IV: Common Sense
  • Crusader Kings II: Charlemagne
  • Crusader Kings II: Rajas of India
  • Tyranny - Tales from the Tiers
  • Crusader Kings II: The Republic
  • Europa Universalis IV: Art of War
  • Europa Universalis IV: Conquest of Paradise
  • Europa Universalis IV: Wealth of Nations
  • Europa Universalis IV: Res Publica
  • Victoria 2: Heart of Darkness
I don't prefer one over the other, I love both quite a bit. I've played more CK2 though, but I have recently returned to EU4 and started relearning why I enjoy it so much. There are things I enjoy about both games and would love to see both games have in common. For one I really enjoy the character system in CK2 and would love it if EU4 had something similar. I really like EU4's trade system and I'd like to see it used in more PDX grand strategy games.
 

Viperswhip

Field Marshal
101 Badges
Feb 8, 2009
3.152
610
  • Deus Vult
  • Heir to the Throne
  • King Arthur II
  • Pillars of Eternity
  • The Kings Crusade
  • Divine Wind
  • Europa Universalis III Complete
  • Cities: Skylines Deluxe Edition
  • Victoria: Revolutions
  • Rome Gold
  • Warlock 2: The Exiled
  • Crusader Kings II
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Expansion Pass
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Together for Victory
  • 500k Club
  • Crusader Kings II: Reapers Due
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Cadet
  • Europa Universalis IV: El Dorado
  • Surviving Mars
  • Mount & Blade: Warband
  • Crusader Kings II: Way of Life
  • Europa Universalis IV: Common Sense
  • Crusader Kings II: Horse Lords
  • Europa Universalis IV: Mandate of Heaven
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Colonel
  • Crusader Kings II: Conclave
  • Europa Universalis IV: Rule Britannia
  • Stellaris: Apocalypse
  • Stellaris: Humanoids Species Pack
  • Stellaris: Galaxy Edition
  • Cities: Skylines - Mass Transit
  • BATTLETECH - Backer
  • Cities: Skylines - Green Cities
  • Crusader Kings II: Monks and Mystics
  • Surviving Mars: First Colony Edition
  • Shadowrun Returns
  • Cities: Skylines - Natural Disasters
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Death or Dishonor
  • Stellaris: Digital Anniversary Edition
  • Surviving Mars: Digital Deluxe Edition
  • Europa Universalis IV
  • Cities: Skylines - Parklife
  • Stellaris: Leviathans Story Pack
  • Europa Universalis IV: Rights of Man
  • Europa Universalis IV: Dharma
  • Europa Universalis III Complete
  • Europa Universalis III Complete
  • Victoria 3 Sign Up
  • Victoria 2
  • Shadowrun: Dragonfall
Hello together,
first of all:
This is not an EU4 vs CK2 Thread.
I played hundreds of hours EU4 in my Life
and used to enjoy it very much.
But 2 weeks ago i started CK2.
Im having much more fun then in EU4.
Now im not sure wether it is because im some kind of bored from EU4 after playing it that much, or CK2 simply beeing the better game (for me).

Im very curious about your opinion!
@the people here who also have experience in CK2:
What exactly makes you prefer EU4 over CK2?

For me, and this has changed, I do not enjoy the present iteration of EU4 or what it became, this is dire for my future enjoyment of the series as it means I may be getting off this bus.

But let's look at, let's say Art of War era EU4 v. CK2


Less micro. Also, you can directly expand in EU4 instead of having to put dukes and so in charge of holdings and whatever else in CK2. I have only played CK2 a few times and both times I stopped after restoring Spain, but then I was only King of a small part of Spain with princes and such ruling the rest under me. Annoying to me to have to care about that stuff and all the other micro. That's why I prefer EU4, EU4 is just like Risk, or maybe more like Axis and Allies, but CK2 is way more micro.

EU4 of today has too much micro for my liking. I play old patches exclusively now, which is why I rarely comment in the forums anymore, and the balance has shifted back in to me playing more EU3 overall.

HOI 4 is about all the micro I can manage before I just say, ah, it's too spreadysheety. It's why I don't play EVE, and why I don't build stations all over the place in X3, and why I love sector and universal traders, fire and forget.
 

highsis

Field Marshal
29 Badges
Jan 9, 2011
2.970
769
  • Crusader Kings II: Charlemagne
  • Heir to the Throne
  • Hearts of Iron III
  • Europa Universalis IV
  • Divine Wind
  • Europa Universalis III Complete
  • Europa Universalis III
  • Crusader Kings II: Sword of Islam
  • Crusader Kings II: Sons of Abraham
  • Crusader Kings II: The Republic
  • Crusader Kings II: Rajas of India
  • Crusader Kings II: The Old Gods
  • Crusader Kings II: Legacy of Rome
  • Crusader Kings II
  • Crusader Kings II: Sunset Invasion
  • Hearts of Iron IV: No Step Back
  • Hearts of Iron IV: By Blood Alone
  • Battle for Bosporus
  • Crusader Kings III
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Expansion Pass
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Expansion Pass
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Death or Dishonor
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Cadet
  • Stellaris
  • Crusader Kings II: Way of Life
  • 500k Club
  • Victoria 2
  • Europa Universalis III Complete
  • Europa Universalis III Complete
I prefer RPG aspect of CK2 but it's wayyyyyy too easy for my taste. That's why I never play CK2 without mods.

I love gameplay of CK2 but I just wish it offered some kind of challenge. Playing CK2 for over 1000 hours I've never once lost king title, not even once. (unless by consecutive random deaths of my playable characters in a short span) Council is powerless and vassals never overthrew me. There are good mechanics but they are all pointless when they don't offer a meaningful challenge. Vassals should be harder to control and player's powerbase should be challenged with more aggressiveness from the AI. At least going against a big blob in EU4 is difficult which makes it more fun despite my love for personal experience as in CK2.

EU3 used to feel the same and I could only play it with Magna Mundi. EU4 has become somewhat harder and challenging. so that's why I prefer EU4. If CK2 becomes more difficult or as difficult as EU4 I will prefer CK2.
 

Nyrael

Field Marshal
82 Badges
Jul 20, 2008
5.859
4.992
32
  • Europa Universalis IV: Mare Nostrum
  • Europa Universalis IV: Pre-order
  • Crusader Kings II: Horse Lords
  • Stellaris: Distant Stars
  • Victoria 2
  • Crusader Kings III
  • Europa Universalis 4: Emperor
  • Stellaris: Necroids
  • Warlock 2: The Exiled
  • 500k Club
  • Europa Universalis IV: El Dorado
  • Crusader Kings II: Way of Life
  • Pillars of Eternity
  • Europa Universalis IV: Common Sense
  • Europa Universalis IV: Rule Britannia
  • Europa Universalis IV: Cossacks
  • Crusader Kings II: Conclave
  • Stellaris
  • Stellaris Sign-up
  • Crusader Kings II: Reapers Due
  • Europa Universalis IV: Rights of Man
  • Tyranny: Archon Edition
  • Tyranny: Archon Edition
  • Stellaris: Digital Anniversary Edition
  • Stellaris: Leviathans Story Pack
  • Crusader Kings II: Monks and Mystics
  • Europa Universalis IV: Dharma
  • Shadowrun: Dragonfall
  • Shadowrun: Hong Kong
  • Stellaris: Megacorp
  • Crusader Kings II: Holy Fury
  • Europa Universalis IV: Golden Century
  • Imperator: Rome Deluxe Edition
  • Imperator: Rome Sign Up
  • Stellaris: Ancient Relics
  • Stellaris: Lithoids
  • Stellaris: Federations
  • Imperator: Rome - Magna Graecia
  • Shadowrun Returns
  • Stellaris - Path to Destruction bundle
  • Europa Universalis IV
  • Europa Universalis IV: Mandate of Heaven
  • Stellaris: Nemesis
  • Tyranny - Bastards Wound
  • Age of Wonders III
  • Europa Universalis III Complete
  • Europa Universalis IV: Cradle of Civilization
  • Europa Universalis III Complete
  • Stellaris: Humanoids Species Pack
  • Stellaris: Apocalypse
Unless you open such a thread in both forums, you'll get quite biased opinions OP ;P
 

GurenGaaze

Pope
84 Badges
Jul 17, 2010
1.476
138
  • Rome Gold
  • Europa Universalis III Complete
  • Crusader Kings II
  • Victoria 2: A House Divided
  • Cities: Skylines
  • Europa Universalis IV: Dharma
  • Europa Universalis IV: Mandate of Heaven
  • Stellaris: Distant Stars
  • Cities: Skylines - Parklife
  • Europa Universalis IV: Rule Britannia
  • Stellaris: Apocalypse
  • Stellaris: Humanoids Species Pack
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Expansion Pass
  • Cities: Skylines - Green Cities
  • Stellaris: Synthetic Dawn
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Death or Dishonor
  • Stellaris: Federations
  • Stellaris: Megacorp
  • Crusader Kings II: Holy Fury
  • Europa Universalis IV: Golden Century
  • Imperator: Rome Deluxe Edition
  • Stellaris: Nemesis
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Expansion Pass
  • Imperator: Rome Sign Up
  • Cities: Skylines - Campus
  • Stellaris: Ancient Relics
  • Stellaris: Lithoids
  • Hearts of Iron IV: La Resistance
  • Stellaris: Galaxy Edition
  • Europa Universalis IV
  • Europa Universalis III Complete
  • Europa Universalis III Complete
  • Victoria 2
  • 500k Club
  • Europa Universalis IV: El Dorado
  • Mount & Blade: Warband
  • Crusader Kings II: Way of Life
  • Europa Universalis IV: Common Sense
  • Crusader Kings II: Horse Lords
  • Crusader Kings II: Conclave
  • Cities: Skylines - Mass Transit
  • Stellaris: Galaxy Edition
  • Hearts of Iron IV Sign-up
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Cadet
  • Crusader Kings II: Reapers Due
  • Europa Universalis IV: Rights of Man
  • Stellaris: Digital Anniversary Edition
  • Stellaris: Leviathans Story Pack
  • Cities: Skylines - Natural Disasters
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Together for Victory
CK2 Feels outdated, and unstable, and in general becomes boring way to fast. If/when CK3 comes, I will play it. but CK2 doesn't feel any fun, I tried comming back to it, but ended up abondoning it several times.