>>20510861EU4 just seemed like a shitter ck2, never got into it. Vic seemed pretty cool but again, never got into it too deeply because I was having more fun with CK. HoI4 is great except the retarded peace conference dynamic ruined it for me. IRL it makes sense that the victorious powers had to compromise or risk another war, but it's possible to dominate in HoI and still get stuck giving all my gains away, just felt frustrating. Stellaris is great fun but lacks the strategic depth of the others. it's the only paradox game I can play while watching TV or listening to audio books, it doesn't require the same level of mental engagement. sometimes that's a good thing.
if you like these I also recommend original mount and blade, m&b viking conquest, and bannerlord. bannerlord is (as expected) more casual, easier, and WAY less broken but the end game / empire building stage feels tedious and incomplete, I find myself restarting campaigns halfway through.
blood & gold carribean is the best M&B if you like difficult long term strategic progression, but I hesitate to mention it because it's the buggiest piece of shit out of everything I've mentioned, you WILL punch your monitor while playing it.
