Casus Belli

Lore & Background

The source material for Europa Universalis is a board game, not a video game. Casus Belli #79 reviewed this board game, which uses about 1,000 markers and two 56 cm × 86 cm maps. The English rulebook is 154 pages long. Playable countries include Spain/Austria, France, The Ottoman Empire, Portugal/Russia, England, and Venice/The Netherlands. Each has unique events and special rules — for example, Turkey deals with corruption of the pashas, Russia's military power is limited until Peter the Great, and England has access to powerful privateers. The source does not describe the review's content or rating.

In Their Own Story

A player sits down at a table covered with two large maps — one for Europe, one for the rest of the world — and about 1,000 markers. The rulebook is 154 pages long. They are playing as the Ottoman Empire, managing the corruption of the pashas while eyeing Vienna. The game, estimated by Board Game Geek to take 15 days, could last from six hours to several weeks. Casus Belli #79 covered this experience, but the source does not reveal what the reviewer thought of it.

Reader's Guide

To understand the Casus Belli #79 review, first know the board game it covers. Europa Universalis is a geopolitical strategy game for 6 players (with a 5-player variant) set from 1492 to 1792. Players choose from Spain/Austria, France, The Ottoman Empire, Portugal/Russia, England, or Venice/The Netherlands. Each country has unique events and objectives: Turkey deals with corruption of the pashas, Russia's military power is limited until Peter the Great, and England has powerful privateers. The game uses about 1,000 markers and two 56 cm × 86 cm maps. Playing time ranges from six hours to several weeks, with Board Game Geek estimating 15 days. The English rulebook is 154 pages. Extensions added rules for forts, missionaries, palaces, historical monarchs, and a faster combat system. The source does not provide the review's content, so no guide to the review itself is possible.

Did You Know?

• Casus Belli #79 reviewed the original board game Europa Universalis, which was released on 27 April 1993 by Azure Wish Enterprise.
• The board game uses about 1,000 markers and two 56 cm × 86 cm maps.
• Board Game Geek estimates the playing time of the board game to be 15 days.
• The English rulebook for the board game is 154 pages long.
• Playable countries in the board game include Spain/Austria, France, The Ottoman Empire, Portugal/Russia, England, and Venice/The Netherlands.