Victoria II

 PC
User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 224 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 177 out of 224
  2. Mixed: 34 out of 224
  3. Negative: 13 out of 224
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  1. rubanzomi
    Apr 1, 2014
    5
    This game is a great strategy game except for the fact that it is totally broken. I have had to play a shattered game that crashes every 10 minutes, scrambles text and ruins the experience. Not to even mention the fact that if you buy it on steam it is outright unplayable until you go into the game files and delete files which if you mess up will ruin your game....
  2. Panopticon
    Apr 26, 2013
    5
    A step back from its predecessor in terms of depth and immersion. Many mechanics have been added that replicate existing mechanics, such as spheres of influence and social movements, and many have been rendered largely pointless, like consciousness. Much of this seems to have stemmed from the inclusion of a libertarian on the development team: as an overtly political game which attemptedA step back from its predecessor in terms of depth and immersion. Many mechanics have been added that replicate existing mechanics, such as spheres of influence and social movements, and many have been rendered largely pointless, like consciousness. Much of this seems to have stemmed from the inclusion of a libertarian on the development team: as an overtly political game which attempted to portray the world according to Marxism, the overall vision has suffered.… Expand
  3. Viljanen
    Oct 25, 2011
    7
    Paradox games are generally only playable after their first expansion by which most of the worst bugs and imbalances are ironed out (EU 3 is an exception that took more than one expansions to be the great game it currently is). I think this is also true for Victoria II even though it was released much more finished than the horrible HOI 3. The good thing about Paradox interactive is thatParadox games are generally only playable after their first expansion by which most of the worst bugs and imbalances are ironed out (EU 3 is an exception that took more than one expansions to be the great game it currently is). I think this is also true for Victoria II even though it was released much more finished than the horrible HOI 3. The good thing about Paradox interactive is that they actively keep updating their games even several months and years after their release. As of the current version the game still suffers from many small problems but it has an active modding community and an expansion on its way.… Expand
  4. Parvarteshwar
    Jan 8, 2012
    7
    This is a game that fits into a very thin niche in the strategy games' market, and as such it either works well for you or it doesn't. What it does it does very well and what it doesn't do...well it just doesn't do it for some people. If you are a huge strategy game fan (especially of other Paradox titles) or a real history buff then you will probably enjoy this game, but if you're more ofThis is a game that fits into a very thin niche in the strategy games' market, and as such it either works well for you or it doesn't. What it does it does very well and what it doesn't do...well it just doesn't do it for some people. If you are a huge strategy game fan (especially of other Paradox titles) or a real history buff then you will probably enjoy this game, but if you're more of a Call of Duty fan and looking to get into a different genre while you wait for the next shooter then this game is definitely not for you. The tutorial is rather boring and all text with no hands on experimentation and this leads to a lot of frustration and searching on the forums. I think the devs wanted you to experiment in-game and play with your own style and in this forces you to do so as a lot of the game is learn as you go, but the first few hours can be very frustrating. The interface is very disheartening even for a seasoned strategy player but it soon becomes your best friend and the more information the better. Diplomacy is definitely this game's strong point over competing RTS games, indeed if you wanted you could play the entire game without going to war and still accomplish many of your nations objectives. That's not to say warfare isn't an integral part of the game, but you are presented with many options for working around a rival nation, the Prussian/Austrian Campaign is especially enjoyable in this regard. Warfare is fairly well done, however you take no part in the battle and the strategy is in getting all the right technology, luring an enemy army into unfavourable conditions, maintaining supply lines, and trying to keep your economy running enough to keep your armies moving. It is really focused on the grand strategy where winning a battle takes a back seat to winning the war. The economy is also very well done and it's management is absolutely critical to your success or failure. All in all I enjoyed Victoria 2 and if you have a lot of time and patience on your hands then you probably will too, but know that you get what you put into this game and if you put in little you will get little in return.… Expand
  5. GoneFishingX
    Oct 9, 2010
    6
    Where to start with Victoria 2, it at its heart is just plain inferior to its predecessor, Victoria Revolutions. It's sad to say but what this game improves is utterly out shadowed by what it loses and this is the same for Hearts of Iron 3. Here's what the game does right this, fantastically improved military system making war actually entertaining, the tech tree isn't limited to a fewWhere to start with Victoria 2, it at its heart is just plain inferior to its predecessor, Victoria Revolutions. It's sad to say but what this game improves is utterly out shadowed by what it loses and this is the same for Hearts of Iron 3. Here's what the game does right this, fantastically improved military system making war actually entertaining, the tech tree isn't limited to a few arbitrary techs, the addition of secondary powers, and a easier to follow capitalist system. Now for what hampers this game, the new graphics make the game run slower which may not sound like a big deal but honestly you never do much but sit in Victoria so now you're just sitting longer which is tedious, The AI upon the games release don't do anything weakingling AI in Hearts of Iron do more than these guys, Nearly every historical event was flushed down the toilet which makes the game feel like its meandering and without historical wars or events NOTHING HAPPENS, Colonization is totally stupid now since only major and secondary nations can do it (Sorry Argentina) and your ability to colonize is based on national focus which is based on pop so it only allows you to colonize 3ish provinces at one time, finally the game is disturbingly buggy which is shameful for a game just released since it means they barely product tested it. All and all the original is just a better game doesn't make this game horrible it just isn't worth the money yet since the first is mega cheap.… Expand
  6. vence
    Aug 7, 2013
    7
    everyone giving 10 is out of there mind, even 9 is too much, I'd say 8 or 7 and I'm being generous here, the game is too tedious and lack imagination, pride of nations did everything better, too bad it suffer from long turn processing problem
  7. Orctownorc
    Aug 22, 2013
    5
    Under the new review system this game gets 5/10 which basically means that I still hate it. It's ugly, it's complicated, it's hard and it seems to have little point. The combat is too abstract to be interesting. The political dimensions act to remove player controls over economics. The economics are obscure (very hard to understand let alone master). And the bloody little notificationUnder the new review system this game gets 5/10 which basically means that I still hate it. It's ugly, it's complicated, it's hard and it seems to have little point. The combat is too abstract to be interesting. The political dimensions act to remove player controls over economics. The economics are obscure (very hard to understand let alone master). And the bloody little notification windows, telling you about in-game events never stop opening! Playing this game is a huge pain in the anus. I gather that there are actually people who like this game, and feel thankful that I don't know any of them. If you are in that camp please don't message me, I really don't want to know you.

    THE GROT REVIEW CRITERIA: After a long time writing reviews like an anus, think its time to set a few bad habits straight: Stop insulting designers. Show some respect for the design process and getting games in circulation. Hence (1) No Red scores. (2) Game scores as follows: Bad Game 5/10. Poor Game 6/10. Mediocre Game: 7/10. Good Game 8/10. Great game 9/10. Stella Game 10/10. To get 10/10 it must be a game that can be (theoretically) play-able for 1000+ hours. Not only great but near endless fun. Games may be bad or poor but making them should earn respect. Thus even the worst POS will still be a 5/10. 0/10 no longer exists in my vocabulary. Yellow is the new red. You cannot reply about this game! Go away!    … Expand
  8. Dco326
    Jun 19, 2022
    6
    Pa probao sam je i stv se trudio ali jednostavno mi nije to to, ja hocu da ratujem sa nekim da rasirim zemlju oni mi ne daju ili me nateraju na status quo kad sam skoro ih sve pokorio ili moram da postanem ally sa nekim a onda on uzme tu teritoriju -.- tako da ono nije mi zanimljiva igrica i ne bi je vise igrao
  9. HSTG
    Apr 19, 2021
    6
    Yes, this game is awesome... No. Let me put it this way, if you are a history fan , I am personally , and you thought that this game looks amazing and you plan to buy it, without knowing how to play , thinking that it will be enjoyable , IS NOT , you can smash your head to the walls for an hour and still it will be more enjoyable than playing this game is, the mechanics are difficult toYes, this game is awesome... No. Let me put it this way, if you are a history fan , I am personally , and you thought that this game looks amazing and you plan to buy it, without knowing how to play , thinking that it will be enjoyable , IS NOT , you can smash your head to the walls for an hour and still it will be more enjoyable than playing this game is, the mechanics are difficult to understand that it took me 16 hours to fully understand how they work , + you need to know how countries works , at least the major ones ( and by that I mean their focus trees and events) , and beside that you don't want to play single player , why? , because the AI in this game hate players so much that it will make alliances with all the nation in the world just to ruin your game, and that results in you unable to do nothing.Trust me this game is frustrating and if you don't have a lot of free time to put in a game
    ,this game is not for you.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

69
#69 Best PC Game of 2010
42
#42 Most Discussed PC Game of 2010
28
#28 Most Shared PC Game of 2010

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. PC PowerPlay
    Oct 27, 2010
    70
    Addictive, nerdy and totally epic strategy. [Dec 2010, p.56]
  2. GamingXP
    Oct 25, 2010
    85
    Victoria 2 is a very complex strategy-game, which offers you a very complex and exciting gameplay.
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  3. CPUGamer
    95
    Saying that it stands head-and-shoulders above all of the scant competition for grand-strategy kingship almost goes without saying.
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