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Europa Universalis 5 (EU5) changes and improves upon many key features from Crusader Kings 3 (CK3), so here are the major differences.
Europa Universalis 5 and Crusader Kings 3 are both grand strategy games by Paradox Interactive. Paradox is well-known for many of its grand strategy games. And Europa Universalis and Crusader Kings are both among the finest of the genre.
However, each of the different series published by Paradox is distinct in various ways. And Crusader Kings and Europa Universalis also follow this rule, having many differences between the two. Here are the major differences between Europa Universalis 5 and Crusader Kings 3.
Major Differences Between Europa Universalis 5 and Crusader Kings 3
Here are 5 major differences between EU5 and CK3:
- Learning Curve
- Time Period
- Dynastic Progression vs. Nation Building
- Complete Package
- Realism
Learning Curve
Grand strategy games such as these two are generally very complex. However, each individual game has its own level of difficulty. Crusader Kings 3 is considered much easier to learn and pick up. EU5, by contrast, is more in-depth and complex.
If you are new to the genre, then Crusader Kings 3 will be a good starting point.
Time Period
Each of Paradox’s different series takes place in a different time period. For example, Imperator: Rome spans from 304 BC to 27 BC, while Hearts of Iron is set during the era of World War II. Crusader Kings and Europa Universalis are no different.
Crusader Kings 3 is set during the Middle Ages, while Europa Universalis 5 spans between 1337-1837. This causes numerous changes in the territories and gameplay style of both games.
Dynastic Progression vs. Nation Building
The role you play and the style of playing are different across these two games. In EU5, you start as a single nation and build that nation up over time to increase your territory. The main focus of EU5 is on nation-building and everything that comes with that.
Meanwhile, in CK3, you control an entire dynasty. You can start off from a small county to build up your bloodline and dynasty over time and form a true empire. You can even choose to play as members of your dynasty with less power for more of a challenge. In general, CK3 is more of a character-focused, role-playing game.
Complete Package
Crusader Kings 3 was released a few years ago and has since received over a dozen expansions. This practice is common with Paradox’s games, and these expansion add to the game’s experience significantly.
Europa Universalis 5 will also receive DLC in the future, but right now, it has only the base game. While EU5 will only grow over time, CK3 offers a more complete experience in the meantime.
Realism
In Crusader Kings 3, even if you take over the whole continent, there is not much of a response to your conquests. Any independent states simply act the way they always have and act like nothing is out of the ordinary.
In Europa Universalis 5, on the other hand, as you grow larger and more powerful, other nations form coalitions and alliances. They rally together to stand a better chance against your might. This is just one of the many ways in which Europa Universalis 5 is much more realistic than Crusader Kings 3.
Those were five major differences between Europa Universalis 5 (EU5) and Crusader Kings 3 (CK3).
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