
Europa Universalis V starts much earlier than previous games, beginning in 1337 – over a hundred years before 1444. This places you right in the heart of the Middle Ages, just before two huge historical events: the Hundred Years’ War between France and England, and the devastating Black Death. The Black Death arrives in 1346 and wipes out a massive portion of the world’s population – between a third and half. These events significantly impact your gameplay, presenting tough early challenges that are well-integrated into the game. The Black Death, in particular, is incredibly harsh, potentially undoing any economic progress and forcing you to completely rebuild your nation’s economy.