To be honest, I haven't picked up EU4. I'm still playing CK2, HoI3, and Vicky 2. But from what I know of those games, about 90% of the DLC is crucial (and I'm talking about the expansion pack DLC, not the little nickel-and-dime crap like portrait packs, unit graphics, music, and stuff like that). From my EU3 days, each DLC made the game much more involved, expanded it, and improved on what was already there. And the way DLC works with Paradox grand strategy games is different than most games; it doesn't add new levels or new guns, it just adds "more." It subtly changes what's already there in a lot of ways.

And besides, it's on a terrific sale right now, so I'd say pull the trigger.

@nutcrackr: that shouldn't be a problem considering that my GPU is a 6450 and doesn't even need a power connection.

I have a 6-year old HP (I know) prebuilt (I do, I really do) with a 300W PSU (please stop mocking me). The PSU has been making angry noises at me for a few days and it's starting to concern me. I have a 10-year old 550W PSU that's been sitting in a box for about 8 years. It's a little dusty, but otherwise it's fine. Do you guys think this is something I could safely just plug in and go with? Or would I blow everything up and melt my face off?

Obviously I'm not made of money and I don't have the cash to blow on fixing this damn thing if I brick it, so I'd rather not experiment. I do have a couple of ancient PCs in my garage from my teens I could test it on though, but I'm more concerned with its compatibility in my primary PC.

Thanks.

In terms of user-friendliness and introduction to grand strategy, EU4 is your best bet. Judging by the developer diaries, HoI4 is going to be significantly more casualized than HoI3, but the series is still known for being a new-player-killer. And besides, it's already been delayed a year with no release date announced yet. So I wouldn't hold your breath for anytime soon. Even though we're a rabid audience, the WW2 grand strategy wargaming crowd isn't that big.

Crusader Kings 2 is also not bad, but it's less of a blob simulator (take over all territory in sight with no questions asked) and more of a dynasty simulator (breed everything that moves).

Whatever you do, don't try Victoria 2 until you've got your grand strategy legs. Especially the pops mod.

If you don't mind paying, both are probably worth your time. Both are not if you're not going to pay.

-With SWTOR, if your character runs into a main storyline bug that blocks you from progressing, you cannot get tech support. There literally is no tech support unless you are subbed to the game. This means you have to ditch the character no matter how many hours you have invested.

-LOTRO is loads of fun if you don't mind grinding. The plot and quests are fun but very WOW-centric. And you're flat-out going to have to pay real money for content or else grind for the rest of your life to unlock Turbine points.

But it's not a new engine. It's Unreal 3. I'm running a toaster from 1949 and I play nearly every Unreal 3 game perfectly fine, but Life Is Strange I have to play on minimum across the board. Very annoying.

But yeah, if you're playing adventures or RPGs for graphics, you're doing it wrong.

[oh boy it's fucking nothing-ing intensifies]

Oh boy, more weeb RPGs. Just what the world needed. Free isn't cheap enough.

Seems legit.

LOTRO is not dead, are you stupid? I was just online for the anniversary events and the cities are packed with people.

On the other hand, I immediately remembered why I stopped playing in the first place: aggressive pay walls for the dumbest shit, like the ABILITY to ride a mount.