Lately, apart from HOI4, paradox has been kinda slow, even unpolished with the other 4X titles.
I never played Vicky 2, but I had high hopes for this game and kept up with all the dev diaries.

The promise of Victoria 3 was a deep economic and diplomatic game with some wars and rp on the side.
Sadly, it only partially delivers on the economics front and absolutely blunders on all of the others.


It doesn't feel like a 4X game very much and I'd rather compare it to some resource management heavy city builders.
And that part is actually very fun and addicting for me, even if it doesn't really accomplish the feeling they were going for.

"Diplomatic plays" and "non-micromanaged frontlines" in wars have potential but are absolutely terrible currently. Unreasonable amount of rng, unclarity when it comes to mechanics and lack of control even when you do understand what's happening in them.
I'm 100% convinced that the choice to give achievement in non-ironman mode was made because they knew the wars are nearly unplayable and it's unreasonable to ask you to go with it.
The amount of country/region specific events is laughable, it has to be the worst one from paradox yet.
Internal politics is mostly just waiting for 10-20% chance rolls to pass laws.

Other reviews mention the upcoming DLCs and fixes but I'm worried that's not coming.
Imperator had mixed reception like this, and it's just abandoned now.
CK3 was good, but not a money maker like HOI4 is and therefore has gotten 1 real DLC and couple minor ones in 2 years.
Sadly, I think Victoria 3 is now about as good as it's going to get.


But still.. there just isn't much competition in the genre, and especially with the setting and gimmicks Victoria 3 has, and playing without warring is actually viable.
And while others might disagree, I think Vicky 3 has the best looking 3d map so far.

All in all, if you like games with "grain number go up - i build mill - pop happiness go up - i build workshop" -type gameplay and are willing to put up with or avoid cancer war mechanics, maybe get it at 50% off.

I'll probably keep playing it on and off but for now especially for the price:
2/5.

Lately, apart from HOI4, paradox has been kinda slow, even unpolished with the other 4X titles. I never played Vicky 2, but I had high hopes for this game and kept up with all the dev diaries. The promise of Victoria 3 was a deep economic and diplomatic game with some wars and rp on the side. Sadly, it only partially delivers on the economics front and absolutely blunders on all of the others. It doesn't feel like a 4X game very much and I'd rather compare it to some resource management heavy city builders. And that part is actually very fun and addicting for me, even if it doesn't really accomplish the feeling they were going for. "Diplomatic plays" and "non-micromanaged frontlines" in wars have potential but are absolutely terrible currently. Unreasonable amount of rng, unclarity when it comes to mechanics and lack of control even when you do understand what's happening in them. I'm 100% convinced that the choice to give achievement in non-ironman mode was made because they knew the wars are nearly unplayable and it's unreasonable to ask you to go with it. The amount of country/region specific events is laughable, it has to be the worst one from paradox yet. Internal politics is mostly just waiting for 10-20% chance rolls to pass laws. Other reviews mention the upcoming DLCs and fixes but I'm worried that's not coming. Imperator had mixed reception like this, and it's just abandoned now. CK3 was good, but not a money maker like HOI4 is and therefore has gotten 1 real DLC and couple minor ones in 2 years. Sadly, I think Victoria 3 is now about as good as it's going to get. But still.. there just isn't much competition in the genre, and especially with the setting and gimmicks Victoria 3 has, and playing without warring is actually viable. And while others might disagree, I think Vicky 3 has the best looking 3d map so far. All in all, if you like games with "grain number go up - i build mill - pop happiness go up - i build workshop" -type gameplay and are willing to put up with or avoid cancer war mechanics, maybe get it at 50% off. I'll probably keep playing it on and off but for now especially for the price: 2/5.