Europa Universalis II vs Hollow Knight
A full spec-by-spec comparison of Europa Universalis II vs Hollow Knight — engine, performance, dimensions, features and price, with the differences highlighted to help you decide.
| Specification | Europa Universalis II Paradox Interactive | Hollow Knight Team Cherry |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Release Date | December 10, 2001 | February 23, 2017 |
| Availability | Released | Released |
| Age Rating | Everyone | Everyone 10+ |
| Developer | Paradox Development Studio | Team Cherry |
| Publisher | Paradox Interactive | Team Cherry |
| Official Site | — | http://hollowknight.com |
| Gameplay | ||
| Genre | Strategy | Action, Indie, Platformer |
| Game Modes | Single-player, Multiplayer | Single-player |
| Average Playtime | 1 hours | 7 hours |
| Perspective | — | 2D |
| Platforms & Pricing | ||
| Platforms | PC | PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Apple Macintosh, Linux, Nintendo |
| Available On | GOG | Steam, GOG, Nintendo eShop, Xbox Store, PlayStation Store |
| PC Requirements | ||
| Minimum Requirements | Windows XP / Vista/ 7 / 8 / 101.8 GHz Processor, 1 GB RAM,3D graphics card compatible with DirectX 9.0cMouse, Keyboard. | OS: Windows 7 Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E5200 Memory: 4 GB RAM Graphics: GeForce 9800GTX+ (1GB) DirectX: Version 10 Storage: 9 GB available space Additional Notes: 1080p, 16:9 recommended |
| Recommended Requirements | — | OS: Windows 10 Processor: Intel Core i5 Memory: 8 GB RAM Graphics: GeForce GTX 560 DirectX: Version 11 Storage: 9 GB available space Additional Notes: 1080p, 16:9 recommended |
| Critic & Community Scores | ||
| Community Rating | 2.6 / 5 (32 ratings) | 4.4 / 5 (2,742 ratings) |
| Metacritic | — | 88 / 100 |
Europa Universalis II vs Hollow Knight: which should you buy?
For a Filipino buyer looking for a deep historical strategy experience without financial strain, Europa Universalis II is the more practical choice. It costs nothing to download from GOG, making it the cheapest option with no upfront purchase price. However, it requires older hardware—Windows XP to 101.8 GHz processor, 1 GB RAM, and a DirectX 9.0c compatible 3D graphics card—limiting its accessibility on modern devices. In contrast, Hollow Knight offers superior power and depth with a 2D platformer experience, but at a cost: it requires a minimum of 4 GB RAM, Windows 7, and a DirectX 10 compatible GPU, with a recommended Intel Core i5 and 8 GB RAM. Hollow Knight also has a significantly higher community rating (4.4 / 5 vs 2.6 / 5) and longer average playtime (7 hours vs 1 hour), but it is only available on platforms like Steam, GOG, Nintendo eShop, Xbox Store, and PlayStation Store—no mention of Apple Macintosh or Linux. While Hollow Knight is more technically demanding and visually rich, Europa Universalis II wins for affordability and broad availability on PC via GOG. For those with older systems or who want a no-cost historical simulation, Europa Universalis II is ideal. For players with mid-tier hardware who value depth, atmosphere, and strong community support, Hollow Knight is the better fit.