Metascore
75 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 17
  2. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. Saying that it stands head-and-shoulders above all of the scant competition for grand-strategy kingship almost goes without saying.
  2. A strategic game polished and satisfying, suitable for gamers with great patience and discipline, which approaches famous series such as Cvilization or Total War, but less striking in graphics and audio.
  3. Victoria II incorporates challenging strategy and sim elements with enough flexibility to satisfy any weasel-beating gaming goof.
  4. Victoria 2 proves that "games for brainiacs" can be accessible and fun. It doesn't have enough strength to steal spotlight from Civilization V, but you won't get a better game this year if you prefer more serious entertainment.
  5. Oct 25, 2010
    85
    Victoria 2 is a very complex strategy-game, which offers you a very complex and exciting gameplay.
  6. Victoria 2 is one of those games where it's easy to expect more from it than it can actually give. Giving its dedication to history, depth, strategy etc... fans can get a bit carried away.
  7. Victoria II is a Grand Strategy game, feel the heady power of running a country.
  8. A few too many minor annoyances gang up to keep Paradox's most polished release from reaching greatness. [Nov 2010, p.76]
  9. Thanks to a friendlier interface and tutorials, Victoria II is a lot more playable and enjoyable than its predecessor.
  10. Oct 27, 2010
    70
    Addictive, nerdy and totally epic strategy. [Dec 2010, p.56]
  11. As impossibly complex as it is deep, but running your own empire proves to be hugely engrossing for those that put in the man hours.
  12. Paradox doesn't reach perfection with Victoria 2, but the Swedish publisher seems nearer and nearer every game.
  13. Victoria newbies will definitely look upon the game with confused glares at first, and even after going through the extensive tutorial, might find themselves scratching their heads with confusion more often than not.
  14. Watching Victoria II is hypnotic and frequently awe-inspiring. Unfortunately, you only occasionally might want to play it.
  15. High concept + shaky execution = wait for the patch.
  16. Extremely patient gamers with a soft spot for 19th Century strategies are welcome here to enjoy the Golden Age. No other human being should try this title – by no means. [Issue#195]
User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 36 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 15
  2. Negative: 3 out of 15
  1. Very disappointing game. Economy system is buggy and broken, several AI issues, obscure (and overly complicated) POP mechanics, a lack of control and SLOW code make this game a major waste of your time. Vicci 1 was so much better in every respect, which is sadly true for so many Paradox titles. I spent 100s of hours in Vicci 1, gave up on this game after 10-20 hours. Full Review »
  2. The other reviews have said it all Yes, version 1.0 was buggy, but version 1.2 has made this a remarkable game - and Paradox doesn't stop adding to their games for long after their release, so prepare for it to get even better! Full Review »
  3. Paradox games are generally only playable after their first expansion by which most of the worst bugs and imbalances are ironed out (EU 3 is an exception that took more than one expansions to be the great game it currently is). I think this is also true for Victoria II even though it was released much more finished than the horrible HOI 3. The good thing about Paradox interactive is that they actively keep updating their games even several months and years after their release. As of the current version the game still suffers from many small problems but it has an active modding community and an expansion on its way. Full Review »