games

Here are my two cents: I freaking love Stellaris, but Id probably wait a couple of months until the current version gets more patches and hotfixes.

Victoria 3, while not my favorite, is fun, but it’s getting a sizeable update in June, so it’s a wait and see situation for now.

Out of the modern Paradox games, I think CK3 is the easiest to get into and the one in the best state right now.

If you like the idea of playing as a character, there’s little reason not to recommend CK3. Mind you its best played as a rpg and not as a map painter.

Victoria 3 would probably be the best if they didn't insist in the terrible war system it has (it might have been improved, but being forced to automate it is boring to me)

EU IV is in a good spot since it isn't getting anymore updates, but it suffers from being an old game.

CK3 is alright as a character simulator but the GS bit is lacking.

Stellaris has overhauled everything again so it's a mess currently.

HoI4 is for roleplaying your favorite ideological strawman, not much else.

For me personally, Vicky 3 is the winner by a long mile. I have sunk hundreds more hours into that game than Stellaris or CK3, and EU4 was my previous favourite.

I actually think Vicky 3's developments borderline obsolete the EU series for me.

I once tried ck3 my video card was somehow about to ignite, granted it's a Chepo video card, but it's a fancy map game. Ck2 is getting no more dlc so I'd go with that one because its finished.

For the same reason I'm avoiding Viky 3.

Also, pirate, don't buy, paradox uses steam dmr as far as I know.

Stellaris is currently in a poor place. They just got another total population system rework. It's not going so well right now.

I think the most cohesive experience right now is CK3, though my favorites are Vic 3 and Old World Blues (Fallout mod for HOI4).

It really depends on what you enjoy the most out of such games, but as a blind recommendation I’d say CK3

CK3 by a country mile, it simplified a bunch of mechanics and focused on the RP, but everything works together

Vicky 3's navy and combat are simultaneously too finicky and hands off

Stellaris is good if you just roll back the latest update (needs some hot fixes)

Isn't there a new one coming soon?

I dunno which is best but the only one I've ever been able to get into is Stellaris because the others' starting states overwhelm me instantly.

CK3 is pretty good for losing time. It’s definitely the easiest to just go with the flow. Most losses don’t feel game ending and can give you something to go after. I got a friend really into it even though he doesn’t seem to have any interest in the other games.

Vic 3 is alright once you figure out how to keep things stable enough while still ignoring the more complex systems.

HoI4 is a horrible broken mess. I’ve been playing it a lot recently.

I’ve never played EU4 so idk there.

CK3 is really good and probs one of their most approachable. the khans of the steppe DLC just came out which looks great and they are adding china soon too. i think they've supported the game really well with DLC (price notwithstanding) and updates, it's in a nice mature state now and is super fun. i think the leaders and traits systems in CK3 make roleplaying really fun too. it's pretty RP centric with the variety of events and decisions in the game now especially with tours and tournaments which i like.

EU4 is in a pretty good place, all the DLC since Leviathan has been good, and Leviathan was patched into a pretty good state after a while.