Europa Universalis II vs Planet Zoo

A full spec-by-spec comparison of Europa Universalis II vs Planet Zoo — engine, performance, dimensions, features and price, with the differences highlighted to help you decide.

Specification Europa Universalis II Paradox Interactive Planet Zoo Frontier Developments
Overview
Release Date December 10, 2001 November 5, 2019
Availability Released Released
Age Rating Everyone Everyone 10+
Developer Paradox Development Studio Frontier Developments
Publisher Paradox Interactive Frontier Developments
Official Site https://www.planetzoogame.com/
Gameplay
Genre Strategy Strategy, Simulation
Game Modes Single-player, Multiplayer Single-player
Average Playtime 1 hours 5 hours
Platforms & Pricing
Platforms PC PC
Available On GOG Steam
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. Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system OS: Windows 7 (SP1+)/8.1/10 64bit Processor: Intel i5-2500 / AMD FX-6350 Memory: 8 GB RAM Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 770 (2GB) / AMD Radeon R9 270X (2GB) Storage: 16 GB available space Additional Notes: Minimum specifications may change during development
Recommended Requirements Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system OS: Windows 10 64bit Processor: Intel i7-4770k / AMD Ryzen 5 1600 Memory: 16 GB RAM Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 (8GB) or AMD Radeon RX 580 (8GB) Storage: 16 GB available space
Critic & Community Scores
Community Rating 2.6 / 5 (32 ratings) 3.9 / 5 (135 ratings)
Metacritic 81 / 100

Europa Universalis II vs Planet Zoo: which should you buy?

For a Filipino buyer looking for a deep, long-term strategy experience without breaking the bank, Europa Universalis II is the better choice. It costs nothing to purchase since it is free on GOG, while Planet Zoo requires a Steam purchase—typically around 500 pesos—adding immediate cost. Europa Universalis II runs on older systems like Windows XP and 7 with minimal specs, making it accessible to lower-end PCs, whereas Planet Zoo demands an Intel i7-4770k or AMD Ryzen 5 1600 and 16 GB RAM, with a minimum of 8 GB and a dedicated GPU like GTX 770 or R9 270X. Planet Zoo also offers a 5-hour playtime versus Europa Universalis II’s 1 hour, suggesting more content. However, Europa Universalis II has a much larger community rating gap (2.6 vs. 3.9) and a more established, accessible genre. For those who value deeper simulation, graphics, and longer sessions, Planet Zoo is superior, but it requires stronger hardware and a purchase. For affordability, simplicity, and broader system compatibility, Europa Universalis II wins.

Frequently asked questions

Which game requires a stronger PC to run?

Planet Zoo requires an Intel i7-4770k or AMD Ryzen 5 1600 and 16 GB RAM, while Europa Universalis II runs on Windows XP/Vista/7/8/101.8 GHz Processor, 1 GB RAM, 3D graphics card compatible with DirectX 9.0c.

Which game offers a longer playtime closer to daily use?

Planet Zoo offers an average playtime of 5 hours, whereas Europa Universalis II has an average playtime of 1 hour.

Which game has a better community reception?

Planet Zoo has a community rating of 3.9 / 5 (135 ratings), while Europa Universalis II has a rating of 2.6 / 5 (32 ratings).