Victoria: An Empire Under the Sun

 PC
User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 63 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 52 out of 63
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 63
  3. Negative: 5 out of 63
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  1. AndyK.
    Jan 3, 2004
    10
    This game is all I could ever want for strategic politics and warfare in the Victorian Age. The hundreds of countries, bizillions of outcomes, easy modibility, makes it almost infinitely replayable. It's also only complex (as reviewers keep saying it is) if you're too stupid to be accepted to community college. I learned to use every function in the interface without touching This game is all I could ever want for strategic politics and warfare in the Victorian Age. The hundreds of countries, bizillions of outcomes, easy modibility, makes it almost infinitely replayable. It's also only complex (as reviewers keep saying it is) if you're too stupid to be accepted to community college. I learned to use every function in the interface without touching the manual in under an hour. Also reviewers seem to forget you can change the speed and slow it down to paused or speed time up so the fact that you might have to do alot in real time is an invalid complaint. I vote this is the best strategy game of the year.… Expand
  2. [Anonymous]
    Dec 2, 2003
    9
    Steep learning curve, but highly worth it once you get into it. An incredible game.
  3. GezzI.
    Feb 19, 2004
    8
    Victoria is trying to achieve a very complex task (to simulate and let play 19th century politics, economics and even social development) and has just naturally difficulties. But the underlying model is very robust and promising. After a few patches the modders will accomplish what no software team ever could. Hundreds of history enthusiasts are programming real and alternate events and Victoria is trying to achieve a very complex task (to simulate and let play 19th century politics, economics and even social development) and has just naturally difficulties. But the underlying model is very robust and promising. After a few patches the modders will accomplish what no software team ever could. Hundreds of history enthusiasts are programming real and alternate events and the game will get better and better. I'm sorry for the initial obstacles many reviewers and gamers faced... It's a pity that such a gem is not going to be enjoyed by the masses.… Expand
  4. AlexM
    Sep 15, 2005
    9
    One of the best strategy games i have ever played, once you get past figuring out how to mobolize, increase your population build ships, control trading and commense war operations. which is a lot of work, you will love this game. it took me about 4 hours to get a basic understanding of this game, but i am still learning more each time i play
  5. DarrellP.
    Dec 18, 2003
    9
    Not for the meek. Very very very very very steep learning curve and beginners will probably never get the hang of it, but for those willing to stick it out, this is perhaps the most rewarding strategy game I have ever played.
  6. Mark
    Jan 22, 2005
    8
    Wow- what a pleasant surprise! This game can be addicting once you figure out the not-so-intuitive interface and hundreds of menus and statistics. I only wish that it were a bit more interesting to play as a very small country (such as Zululand) and actually win the game, but that might be asking for too much, because the game is supposed to be realistic and historical. Maybe a fantasy Wow- what a pleasant surprise! This game can be addicting once you figure out the not-so-intuitive interface and hundreds of menus and statistics. I only wish that it were a bit more interesting to play as a very small country (such as Zululand) and actually win the game, but that might be asking for too much, because the game is supposed to be realistic and historical. Maybe a fantasy mode? In any case, it has tons of replay value because you can choose to play as any nation in the world!… Expand
  7. VictorGar
    Aug 1, 2012
    10
    Magnificent game. As said many times extremely steep learning curve but with the Victoria Improvement Project Mod it becomes a incredibly deep history book. I have never seen such historical detail in a game. If you want to learn the history of a century that radically changed the world while playing a challenging game get this one. Much much better than the new more unhistorical Victoria 2
  8. EldrishU.
    Jan 3, 2004
    10
    Before one get the update the game is really bad since not much work, but then when u do get that update it's a new game and everything works, and it superb. I guess it's not a game for people under 20. And since many critics don't have that much brain since they think most game is to entertain and not challenge the human, then this game is not good at all, but if u want a Before one get the update the game is really bad since not much work, but then when u do get that update it's a new game and everything works, and it superb. I guess it's not a game for people under 20. And since many critics don't have that much brain since they think most game is to entertain and not challenge the human, then this game is not good at all, but if u want a game u won't get bored after playing it through 5 times this is the game and u will have too teach yourself all the time new methods too make the economy run, someitmes u have a really hih interest rate sometime terrible cheap factorys like 1/10 of normal prize and some times 10 times higher i guess i should stop writting now.… Expand
  9. VictorL.
    Jun 21, 2005
    0
    As a newbie, I really regretted buying this game. What a waste of money! After 6 hours of playing catching up with the rest of the nation, I gave up. Give me Civilisation any day! It has also racist elements, for e.g. China is deemed an "uncivilised nation". Never again!
  10. JRTTRJ
    May 13, 2004
    10
    I TEACH MILITARY HISTORY AND I TAKE MY HAT OFF TO THE DESIGNERS OF THIS GAME.BRAVO! I CANT WAIT TO TRY IT ONLINE.I WAS DISAPPOINTED AT MOST REVIEWS ,THEY WERE FILLED WITH INCORRECT DATA .ONCE YOU TAKE THE TIME AND LEARN THE GAME WITH THE HELP OF (HTTP://VICTORIA.NSEN.CH) AND THE NEW STATEGY GUIDE BY C MEMNON THE GAME IS VERY REWARDINGI TEACH MILITARY HISTORY AND I TAKE MY HAT OFF TO THE DESIGNERS OF THIS GAME.BRAVO! I CANT WAIT TO TRY IT ONLINE.I WAS DISAPPOINTED AT MOST REVIEWS ,THEY WERE FILLED WITH INCORRECT DATA .ONCE YOU TAKE THE TIME AND LEARN THE GAME WITH THE HELP OF (HTTP://VICTORIA.NSEN.CH) AND THE NEW STATEGY GUIDE BY C MEMNON THE GAME IS VERY REWARDING… Expand
  11. Jax
    Dec 3, 2003
    10
    A winner among strategy games.
  12. AtteK.
    Dec 3, 2003
    10
    An awesome nation building game set in the 19th - early 20th century and by a company with an outstanding support and patching record.
  13. AtteK.
    Dec 3, 2003
    10
    An awesome nation building game set in the 19th - early 20th century and by a company with an outstanding support and patching record.
  14. AlexM.
    Jan 2, 2004
    10
    Very good game one of the best games of the world.
  15. WesN.
    Jan 4, 2004
    10
    Absolutely superb! Extremely modifyable and multi-faceted.
  16. ThiagoS.
    Feb 24, 2004
    10
    The best game a strategy player can play.
  17. BryanA.
    Dec 3, 2003
    10
    It is the best.
  18. MiguelF.C.
    Jan 26, 2007
    10
    Simply the best strategy game available in the market. Possibilities are almost endless. Ridiculously complex, but tremendously rewarding.
  19. StefanV.
    Nov 29, 2003
    10
    Great game overall. The best strategy, and in some ways simulation, game ever.
  20. J.S.
    Nov 25, 2003
    10
    Absolutely awesome. The best strategy game ever developed. forum.paradoxplaza.com
  21. smijatov
    Aug 12, 2010
    8
    This is one of the deepest and most interesting grand strategy games I have ever played. Of course, Paradox Interactive has had great titles in this genre (and some even better than Victoria - if for anything, for the time frame they cover being much larger), but Victoria has new ideas and new details that bring it so much more depth and immerse the player into the game.

    The only    This is one of the deepest and most interesting grand strategy games I have ever played. Of course, Paradox Interactive has had great titles in this genre (and some even better than Victoria - if for anything, for the time frame they cover being much larger), but Victoria has new ideas and new details that bring it so much more depth and immerse the player into the game.

    The only problem is the very steep learning curve, but once you get a hang of it, it's an excellent game. If only the makers could make a game that would have a longer time-frame like this, that would be perfect!
    All in all, definitely an excellent game! :)    … Expand
  22. a1419143
    Nov 30, 2012
    10
    After so many years, this is still the best strategy game I know. Somehow the industrial development / economical and social theme really seem to work well for me.
    It shows that for a good game, the gameplay and its mechanics are much more important than graphics.
  23. desiretheright
    Feb 7, 2013
    9
    Steep learning curve, but very worthwhile once you get past that. Takes around 5 hours or so to develop a good beginning grasp of it, and much longer to master. Not for the faint of heart in strategy gaming.

Awards & Rankings

47
#47 Most Discussed PC Game of 2003
42
#42 Most Shared PC Game of 2003

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
58

Mixed or average reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 12
  3. Negative: 3 out of 12
  1. PC Gamer
    62
    I grappled with Victoria for a solid 10 hours before I actually started having fun, and most folks will deem this figure unacceptable. Even then, the game's glaring bugs had a tendency to disrupt the deep and absorbing machinations that eventually develop. [Mar 2004, p.65]
  2. Computer and Video Games
    52
    Compelling - in a masochistic way. Deep down, there's a great game trying to get out, but it's been hamstrung by our many complaints that can be summed up in one sentence. Piss-poor support for the new user. Victoria will infuriate strategy enthusiasts and baffle everyone else. [PC Zone]
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  3. GameSpy
    30
    A game that combines the micromanagement of "Civilization" with the intrigue and politics of "Diplomacy," adds in a "Railroad Tycoon 3"-style dynamic economic and resources model, uses a layered interface ... and then somehow expects you to manage it all in real-time.
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