5 Major Differences In Europa Universalis 5 (EU5) vs Europa Universalis 4

This article will compare (EU5) Europa Universalis 5 vs Europa Universalis 4 and break down their major differences.

Major Differences in (EU5) Europa Universalis 5 vs Europa Universalis 4 (Image via Paradox Interactive)
Major Differences in (EU5) Europa Universalis 5 vs Europa Universalis 4 (Image via Paradox Interactive)

Players who played Europa Universalis 4 will undoubtedly notice many major differences between (EU5) Europa Universalis 5 and its predecessor. Both games include several mechanical changes, some of which are immediately noticeable, while others require a closer look.

Regardless, both games offer a different experience, and these are the differences you should watch for in a comparison between Europa Universalis 5 and 4.

Major Differences Between (EU5) Europa Universalis 5 and Europa Universalis 4

EU5 has a lot of differences compared to EU4 (Image via Paradox Interactive)
EU5 has a lot of differences compared to EU4 (Image via Paradox Interactive)

These are the major differences between the two titles:

  • Development
  • Missions
  • Technological Advancements
  • Conquests
  • Character Traits

Development

Diseases can quickly reduce your population growth rate (Image via Paradox Interactive)
Diseases can quickly reduce your population growth rate (Image via Paradox Interactive)

This is one of the most striking differences visible between the two games. In the original, the development of your nation was indicated by a single number. However, this entire system has been revamped to unimaginable levels.

In EU5, your development depends on your population and how satisfied they are. On top of managing your population growth, you will also need to manage other factors like literacy and the satisfaction of various class groups.

Disasters must also be suitably managed; otherwise, your population will be cut down to size. If left unchecked, diseases could quickly ravage the country and leave it broken.

Missions

Disable missions to earn achievements in (EU5) Europa Universalis 5 (Image via Paradox Interactive)
Disable missions to earn achievements in (EU5) Europa Universalis 5 (Image via Paradox Interactive)

The way the mission tree worked in Europa Universalis 4 has been completely changed. In that game, you had to follow chains of events or missions based on the country and time period. However, that is not the case here.

Now, you are discouraged from having missions enabled. In fact, doing so will lock you out of earning achievements. This is because the missions in this game serve more as a tutorial mechanic, compared to the previous games. You can read more about keeping missions disabled here.

Technological Advancements

Your technology depends on various factors (Image via Paradox Interactive)
Your technology depends on various factors (Image via Paradox Interactive)

Europa Universalis 5 has an extremely in-depth Technological Tree. In the previous title, you would see the same advancements among the nations. Whereas, for this game, the technology available to each country changes based on various factors.

These include your country’s region and time period, to name a few. This is one of the major differences between Europa Universalis 4 and Europa Universalis 5. This adds an element of uniqueness to each country.

Without this, it might feel like every country plays out the same way, without any major differences. Moreover, your approach will shift immensely based on the technology available to you. In this way, no two countries should feel the same.

Conquests

Conquests are not the end (Image via Paradox Interactive)
Conquests are not the end (Image via Paradox Interactive)

One might assume that after you conquer a nation, you are done with the hard part. However, this would be a misconception from the previous game. EU5’s wars don’t end after you win; they start.

Once you conquer another country, you will need to manage the culture and religion of this new place. If you do not satisfy the citizens of this country, they could grow dissatisfied and incite rebellions or flee the country.

This process has also been made easier by how the army can function without your command. The automatic features have been greatly enhanced.

Character Traits

Character interaction has increased a lot (Image via Paradox Interactive)
Character interaction has increased a lot (Image via Paradox Interactive)

The ability to interact with your characters has improved greatly in the latest Europa Universalis title. Your rulers will have certain traits that they can pass on to their heirs, and you can further raise these heirs in different ways.

Those were all the major differences between Europa Universalis 4 and Europa Universalis 5.


Europa Universalis 5 Logo
Europa Universalis 5 (Paradox Interactive)

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