Europa Universalis 4: Lions Of The North Review - Is It Worth It?

Hey guys! Today, we're diving deep into the Europa Universalis 4: Lions of the North DLC. If you're like me, you're always eager for new content to spice up your EU4 campaigns. But is this regional pack really worth your hard-earned cash? Let's break it down and see what this DLC brings to the table, focusing on the new mission trees, mechanics, and overall gameplay enhancements. We'll explore whether it truly enhances the experience for the Baltic Sea region and if it provides enough value to justify the purchase. So, grab your favorite beverage, settle in, and let’s get started with this comprehensive review!

What is Lions of the North?

Lions of the North is a regional immersion pack for Europa Universalis 4, focusing primarily on the Baltic Sea and North Sea regions. This DLC aims to enrich the gameplay experience for nations in this area, providing them with unique mission trees, national ideas, government reforms, and events. The main countries that receive significant overhauls are Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Teutonic Order/Prussia, Poland, and the Livonian Order, among others. The core idea behind Lions of the North is to offer a more tailored and engaging experience for players who enjoy playing in this historically rich and strategically important region. The changes introduced aim to reflect the historical ambitions, challenges, and opportunities that these nations faced during the early modern period. Whether it's leading Sweden to dominate the Baltic, forging a powerful Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, or building a militaristic Prussian state, Lions of the North seeks to make each campaign feel unique and historically plausible. It’s designed to cater to both seasoned EU4 veterans and newer players looking for a more focused and flavorful experience in Northern Europe.

Key Features of the DLC

Alright, let's get into the nitty-gritty of what Lions of the North actually offers. The heart of this DLC lies in its expanded and reworked mission trees. Sweden, for example, gets a massive overhaul, allowing you to pursue historical goals like dominating the Baltic Sea, establishing a colonial empire, or intervening in European politics. Denmark and Norway also receive updated mission trees, focusing on their historical struggles and ambitions, such as controlling the Sound and colonizing the New World. The Teutonic Order and Livonian Order now have unique paths to form Prussia or Livonia, with mission trees that guide their expansion and religious conversion. Poland gets a complex mission tree centered around managing the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, dealing with internal conflicts, and expanding eastward. These mission trees aren't just a list of tasks; they're interconnected narratives that shape your campaign and provide clear objectives. Besides the mission trees, Lions of the North introduces new government reforms specific to the region. These reforms allow you to customize your nation's internal policies and adapt to the challenges of the era. For example, Sweden can adopt unique government reforms that reflect its historical administrative structure, while Poland can implement reforms to strengthen the Commonwealth. The DLC also includes new unit types, such as the Swedish Caroleans, and updated national ideas that provide unique bonuses to each nation. These features combined add a significant layer of depth and historical flavor to the game, making each campaign feel distinct and engaging. It’s all about giving you the tools to carve your own path through history, with plenty of options and decisions to make along the way.

The Good

Okay, so what are the real highlights of Lions of the North? First off, the mission trees are fantastic. They provide a clear sense of direction and purpose, especially for nations that previously felt a bit generic. Playing as Sweden, for example, feels completely different now, with a clear path to dominate the Baltic and become a major European power. The updated mission trees for Denmark and Norway also add a lot of flavor to the Scandinavian region, making it much more interesting to play in. Another major plus is the increased historical accuracy. The DLC does a great job of reflecting the historical challenges and opportunities that these nations faced during the early modern period. The new events, decisions, and government reforms all contribute to a more immersive and believable experience. Forming Prussia as the Teutonic Order is now a much more engaging and rewarding process, with a mission tree that guides your expansion and development. The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth also feels more dynamic, with internal conflicts and external threats that keep you on your toes. Furthermore, the DLC introduces several quality-of-life improvements. The updated national ideas and unit types add more variety to the game, and the new art assets and music enhance the overall atmosphere. The attention to detail is evident throughout the DLC, making it a joy to play. Overall, Lions of the North significantly enhances the gameplay experience for the Baltic Sea region, providing players with a wealth of new content and features to explore.

The Bad

Now, let's talk about the downsides. No DLC is perfect, and Lions of the North has a few areas where it falls short. One of the main criticisms is that some of the mission trees feel a bit unbalanced. For example, the Swedish mission tree is incredibly powerful, making it relatively easy to dominate the Baltic Sea. In contrast, the Danish and Norwegian mission trees feel less impactful, and it can be challenging to compete with Sweden's military might. Another issue is that the DLC focuses almost exclusively on the major powers in the region. While Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Poland, and the Teutonic Order receive significant overhauls, smaller nations like Riga, Estonia, and Lithuania are largely left untouched. This can make playing as these minor powers feel less rewarding, as they don't receive the same level of attention and detail. Additionally, some of the new mechanics feel a bit underdeveloped. The Great Projects, for example, are a cool idea, but they don't always have a significant impact on gameplay. Similarly, the new government reforms, while interesting, can sometimes feel a bit generic and lack the unique flavor that the mission trees provide. Finally, there have been some reports of bugs and glitches in the DLC, although these seem to be relatively minor and are likely to be patched in future updates. Despite these issues, Lions of the North is still a worthwhile addition to Europa Universalis 4, but it's important to be aware of its limitations.

Is It Worth Buying?

So, the big question: Is Europa Universalis 4: Lions of the North worth your money? In my opinion, yes, absolutely, if you enjoy playing in the Baltic Sea region. The updated mission trees, new government reforms, and increased historical accuracy add a significant layer of depth and flavor to the game. Playing as Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Poland, or the Teutonic Order feels completely different now, with clear objectives and engaging narratives that shape your campaign. However, if you don't typically play in this region, or if you're primarily interested in playing as minor powers, then the DLC might not be worth the investment. The focus on the major powers means that smaller nations are largely left untouched, and you might not get as much value out of the DLC. Additionally, if you're on a tight budget, there are other Europa Universalis 4 DLCs that offer more content for the price. Common Sense, Art of War, and Rights of Man are all essential DLCs that add core gameplay mechanics and are generally considered must-haves. But, if you're looking for a more focused and flavorful experience in Northern Europe, then Lions of the North is definitely worth considering. It's a well-designed and engaging DLC that will keep you entertained for hours.

Final Verdict

Alright, guys, to wrap it up, Europa Universalis 4: Lions of the North is a solid regional immersion pack that significantly enhances the gameplay experience for the Baltic Sea region. The updated mission trees are fantastic, providing clear objectives and engaging narratives for the major powers in the area. The increased historical accuracy adds a layer of depth and immersion to the game, making each campaign feel unique and believable. While the DLC has a few flaws, such as unbalanced mission trees and a focus on major powers, these are relatively minor issues that don't detract too much from the overall experience. If you enjoy playing in Northern Europe and are looking for a more focused and flavorful experience, then Lions of the North is definitely worth buying. It's a well-designed and engaging DLC that will keep you entertained for hours. Just be aware of its limitations and consider whether it aligns with your playstyle and preferences. Overall, I give Lions of the North a solid recommendation for EU4 fans looking to spice up their Baltic campaigns. Happy gaming!