Metascore
85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 29
  2. Negative: 0 out of 29
  1. Nov 5, 2025
    It could be painful start to play it and isn't perfect, but if you are looking for a massive strategy game with tons of options and amazing freedom, this is one of the best. And for sure, the most complex ever. [Recommended]
  2. Part of me yearned to finish this playthrough before giving my final verdict, but considering it took Naples a full century just to discover there is a "south" of the globe (omg), I'll just tell you now: it's confusing as heck and I like it. Even though I'm playing at the second-fastest speed with judicious pausing, I would likely need to play for another 40-50 hours to make it through the full span of history. This statement is both horrifying and exciting - a game that disrespects my time? Disrespect me more, my huge messy map monster.
  3. Oct 31, 2025
    I encountered a few small rough edges during my review sessions, though, like a graphical element flickering and a small typo/grammatical error in a dialogue pop-up box. These weren’t major issues and didn’t hinder my enjoyment overall, but they were noticeable...Outside of this, Europa Universalis V was a delight to explore. It felt detailed and vibrant, and while it took me a while to pick up the game mechanics, the process of learning the game felt rewarding. Fans of grand strategy games looking for a new addition to their library will get a kick out of this title.