Tips for a frustrated gamer

I've played M2TW to death, been everyone including the Rebels etc, also played as most teams in Kingdoms. As much as it was enjoyable (especially Kingdoms), on the whole campaigns were generally predicatble and I knew I was going to win every time.

So, I tried Broken Crescent. As much as the units and all are beautiful and the mod is very professional and unique, much of the challenge comes from AI cheating and I've found myself getting fed up fighting off ridiculous hordes of AI armies, is doesn't feel realistic.

And so, I'm really looking for a game similar to TW titles, but with more of a focus on diplomacy, roleplaying, and with better AI. I've turned to Europa Universalis III right now. I've tried out the demo and it looks promising, and so I'm thinking of getting the game itself.

What are peoples views here on EU3? Will it give me what I am looking for?

I've been playing as Tyrone in the demo version, and I changed my government to a despotic monarchy. :beam: However, I was a little disappointed I couldn't change my religion. Surely this will be an option in EU3 since it covers until 1789 IIRC. Also, I'm a big fan of history in the pike and musket era and of the Reformation, so I'm wondering how detailed the religion system is in EU3. Will it just be a case of Catholic/Protestant when the Reformation comes, or are there more options ie Calvinist, Lutheran, Anglican (or another national equivalent I suppose), and also can you choose things like whether or not to have an established church?

I'll refer you to this thread (all about EUIII, with some users posting their campaigns, etc.).

As for me, I couldn't touch TW because of the real-time gameplay of EUIII. I was just sooooo taken by it.
Bear in mind, there are 2 expansions out downloadable only from Gamersgate: Napoleon's Ambition and In Nomine. You need NA to play IN, and they cost about 20$ each I think (add that to the price of the original game...). It's well worth the price though.

Downloaded EU3 from Gamersgate tonight.

I see what you mean the real time play is addictive! At least with TW I could say to stop at an end turn...

I've played for about 9 months as France. I used my cassus belli on Burgundy, in their Flemish provinces. I am the master of Phyrric victories. I crushed them in two battles at both Picardie and that east Norman province, but they get all the luck in sieges. I've had two water shortages I had to rush to the aid because of, while all I get is the status quo besieging them.

Then, my city Lyon was about to fall. I rushed in an army, but this time I lost badly. The city was about to surrender, and fortunately I was offered a peace if I renounced my claims to Bourgogne and somewhere else. So much for my early expansion!

I didn't really care fore EUIII. A lot of the stuff bugged me in it. The two expansions were supposed to fix a lot of the messed up stuff, but I haven't got a chance to get either one of them.

You may want to check out Hearts of Iron 2 and Victoria, if you like EUIII, though they are pretty different.

The two expansion packs definitely add a ton to EU3 and fix most of the problems with the initial game. If you're going to play EU3, I definitely think you should get the expansion packs. They're not perfect and there are still a few annoyances and bugs in the game, but all in all it is greatly improved.

EU3 seems enough for me to get my head around right now. Wow, I just can't believe I've not looked to these game before. :dizzy2:

I would definetly recommend EU3.

Also, Caledonian, if you want to play a multiplayer game with me, Ill teach you the basic.(I conquered the word as Mother Russia!)

I also picked up EU3 plus expansions not too long ago. Definitely a fun game with a lot of depth. I feel there are a few minor shortcomings, but nothing that ruins the game for me.

After a few campaigns, I'll look more into mods and see what they offer.

If you got NA, then try Magna Mundi Gold 2. Read the manual first though :yes:
If you got IN, then you'll have to wait a bit for Magna Mundi, but in the mean time there's a few other goods mods: Sacra Romanum Imperium (for the HRE), Whole World Mod...