23 – Victoria
My first game at Victoria was terrible: I started in the Great War scenario with Austria-Hungary (why? I have no idea; I supposed that playing with a medium power was a good way to start…). Of course I found myself ruined and with half of my country invaded by Russia before I had been able to understand how to change between the different map layers. Paradox games are not to take lightly! Fortunately, I continue playing (different games and scenarios), and losing, until suddenly everything started to click and I was able to play successfully.
Like in other Grand Strategy games, Victoria demands multitasking and attention to the different layers of the game: you have to keep your finance balanced, but be careful with the taxes not to destroy your wealthier classes, keep good relations with your neighbors and prepared to war, investigate in areas that will bring prestige to your country, but without relegating the military investigation needed to not fall behind, develop infrastructures, factories and colonies… Doing so is difficult but highly rewarding, and a process of never-ending learning. As a History lover, this game was also a great chance to learn about XIXth century historical events (every time I talk about Piratini Republic people tend to look at me weirdly, but I’m not worried)
Actually I never fully dominated the game, but I was able to play some successful enough games (As reconquering part of America (and, for some reason I don’t remember, Greece) with Spain, maintaining a wealthy Empire in Central Europe with Austria, unifying Italy with Piedmont (and avoiding it with the Two Sicilies) and keeping Thailand independent. I was even able to defeat the cheating IA in the Great War scenario both with France and Germany. The VIP mod was also a great improvement for the game (although it increased greatly the resources needed to create an army), including new countries and a huge lot of historical events.
