Victoria II: Heart of Darkness (2016)

by Christopher April 2, 2021

written by Christopher April 2, 2021 5 minutes read

Summary

Release Year: 2016
Genres: Real Time Strategy (RTS), Simulator, Strategy
Platforms: PC (Microsoft Windows)
Developers: Paradox Interactive
Publishers: Paradox Interactive

Victoria II: Heart of Darkness is the second expansion for the grand strategy and political simulator Victoria II. Developed by Paradox Development Studio and published by Paradox Interactive, it was released on March 3, 2016. The expansion focuses on the Scramble for Africa, a period of intense colonization by European powers in the late 19th century.

Gameplay

Victoria II: Heart of Darkness adds a number of new features and improvements to the base game, including:

New map: The game map has been expanded to include all of Africa, as well as parts of Asia and Europe.
New nations: There are now over 100 playable nations in the game, including many African nations that were not present in the base game.
New resources: Several new resources have been added to the game, including rubber, ivory, and gold.
New technologies: There are a number of new technologies to research in the game, including those that allow for the colonization and exploitation of Africa.
New diplomatic actions: Players can now engage in a variety of new diplomatic actions, including sending colonial expeditions and intervening in crises.

The Scramble for Africa is a major focus of Victoria II: Heart of Darkness. Players can compete with other colonial powers to acquire territory in Africa. Once they have acquired territory, they can exploit its resources and develop its economy. However, they must also be careful to avoid conflicts with other colonial powers and with the native African populations.

In addition to the Scramble for Africa, Victoria II: Heart of Darkness also includes a number of other historical events. These include the Boer Wars, the Mahdist War, and the Boxer Rebellion. Players can choose to participate in these events or to avoid them altogether.

Reception

Victoria II: Heart of Darkness received generally positive reviews from critics. Many praised the expansion for its new content and features, as well as its improved AI. However, some critics found the expansion to be too complex and difficult to learn.

Overall

Victoria II: Heart of Darkness is a solid expansion that adds a lot of new content and features to the base game. It is a must-play for fans of grand strategy and colonial history.

Here are some additional details about the game:

Release date: March 3, 2016
Developer: Paradox Development Studio
Publisher: Paradox Interactive
Genre: Grand strategy, political simulator
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux

System requirements:

OS: Windows 7/8/10 (64-bit)
Processor: 2 GHz Dual-Core Processor
Memory: 2 GB RAM
Graphics: 512 MB DirectX 11 compatible video card
DirectX: Version 11
Storage: 2 GB available space

Recommended system requirements:

OS: Windows 7/8/10 (64-bit)
Processor: 2.4 GHz Quad-Core Processor
Memory: 4 GB RAM
Graphics: 1 GB DirectX 11 compatible video card
DirectX: Version 11
Storage: 2 GB available space

Review Score

8.5/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

Christopher

Christopher has carved a niche for himself as an authority on retro pre-2000 computer games. With a passion that borders on reverence, Christopher delves deep into the pixelated past of gaming, unearthing gems and sharing insights that resonate with both nostalgic players and curious newcomers. His articles serve as a time machine, transporting readers back to an era where gameplay and creativity often trumped graphical fidelity. Cristopher's expertise isn't just in cataloging these classics; he analyzes their design, the context of their creation, and their impact on the gaming landscape, offering a comprehensive look at the evolution of digital entertainment. Beyond mere retrospectives, Christopher champions the relevance of these retro games in today's high-definition world. He skillfully draws parallels between the foundational mechanics of yesteryear's titles and the modern gaming innovations they inspired. His work goes beyond mere preservation; it's an ongoing dialogue between the past and present of gaming. Christopher's content educates, entertains, and ignites discussions within the gaming community. His dedication not only keeps the legacy of pre-2000 games alive but also highlights their importance in shaping the future of video gaming.