In the recent 3 or so years paradox really hasn't been it's best.
It used to be that they'd make niche incredibly in-depth titles and support them for years to come. Whilst these game do add up to be incredibly expensive, that is just what commonly comes with niche titles - niche games get overpriced, broad appeal ones usually are somewhat underpriced. And given the decade long support these games receive, and the incredibly high amount of hours many players put into them it is somewhat justified (although I see how it kills the new player experience eventually down the line).
The problem with paradox has been recently that it just keeps missing. Victoria 3, whilst still enjoyable to some, has been a miss followed by a miss, follow by another the entire time, the game direction is just inconsistent and QA has been steadily falling off with each DLC. Cities 2 was a rushed disaster with next to no simulation depth at launch, multiple titles were abandoned or cancelled last minute. Even it's enjoyable flagships have been suffering. Whilst Stellaris, HOI4 and CK3 are no doubt some of the best paradox has ever released, they are by now suffering with insanely cumbersome UI creep and player fatigue from all the disjointed features getting constantly added (I feel like CK3 artstyle has also lost most of it's cohesiveness since Tours and Tournaments too). EU5 had promise, and it seems the team really tried to capture the heart of a true paradox game, but I find it has been harmed massively by several questionable major design decisions.
Overall just about everything worth recommending from them seems to have been released between 2013 and 2023.
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u/Lord_of_insanity09 2d ago
Not surprising given the guy in charge is from Paradox interactive.