In this video, we discussed how Europa Universalis: The Price of Power from Aegir Games compares to one of our favorite games Here I Stand: Wars of the Reformation from GMT Games. We will do more of these comparison games in the future.
-Grant
Comparison Video, video, War Game Wednesday
Comparison Video: Europa Universalis: The Price of Power from Aegir Games vs. Here I Stand: Wars of the Reformation from GMT Games
The Players' Aid 
Oxymoron: “legal brief.” Maybe we need a version for your videos:-) But, for goodness’ sake, don’t shorten them!
If you wanted a three day game in this general time period, you could play Tanto Monta, Here I Stand, and Virgin Queen on consecutive days.
Lastly, please ask Alexander do I have his Canoa card for Blood & Plunder? I can mail it back to him.
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I sent you an email. Thanks
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I knew what you were going to say, but still throughly enjoyed what you had to say. Excellent video. I already have HiS backed on p500 because of previous TPA videos.
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Great video! I love the concise comparison. I would also play Here I Stand anytime and agree that EU’s juice is not worth the squeeze… the added complexity does not result in a more exciting gameplay, in my opinion.
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I really want to give EU one more try but it just didn’t do it for the group. We would much rather play a 7-8 hour game of Here I Stand or Virgin Queen. Just a better experience. And there is nothing wrong with gamers that feel otherwise as well. To each their own!
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So, I’ve played both. Yes – EU took three sessions over three days and we did Here I Stand in one (very long) day. But after playing Here I Stand a couple times, which I enjoyed, I did not really feel the need to play it again. I felt a little railroaded into a strategy in Here I Stand. In both of my games it kind of went the same way in terms of what people were trying to do – I felt like I even found players making the same agreements in both games. Maybe if we had more experience, it would be different – both times it was with new players. Anyway, my two plays of the same scenario in EU went in wildly different directions! And I really liked that.
EU is more of a sandbox game – with so many different scenarios (some of which – btw – are much shorter than others) – and of course one that kind of simulates Here I Stand itself. I feel like it makes it more tempting for me to go back to it – knowing it will be something different. Also, theme-wise, I’m not huge into the whole reformation thing, so obviously that biases me towards EU which, although it does deal with it, it is not the focus in some scenarios.
EU is a little strange in that some turns will take you 15 seconds (I’m just removing unrest!) and other turns may take 30 min (I’m declaring war that is causing 5 different Call to Arms and pulling in 3 player realms!). Also, there are lots of exceptions and corner cases that can make it challenging to learn. People have to be willing to get through all that.
Lastly, I love that EU plays very well solo. I’ve played three solo games of EU and I put it next to Mage Knight as my favorite solo game (Voidfall may also end up in that list as I get some more plays under my belt). I’m not sure if Here I Stand even has a solo mode?
Still- great video – fully enjoyed it!
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I think that in my opinion the length was the real difference and while I play long wargames I am not sure I’m willing to commit 3 days to EU. Just me.
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