A game like Europa Universalis III, with its grand historical scope and intricate political, economic, and military gameplay, makes us feel even more stupid than European History 101. And BTW, you're talking to a guy who actually quoted Sid's Civilization II as part of his answer during a grand lecture in Economics 101 (and got a damn good grade for doing so), so yeah, that kinda brings a game like this to real-world perspective.

So it would make sense that the Collector's Edition-exclusive Strategy Guide Paradox Interactive included with Europa would be a jaw-dropping one hundred pages long, and can and should be able to pass for your Euro-History 101 textbook. Okay, maybe it won't pass as a history textbook, but it sure does add real-world historical depth to help you understand how to play the game and win. The guide is authored by Ed Hanks, who combines a broad experience of writing for both the press and for politicians, with a keen interest in history and military strategy.

Look at it this way. At least playing this game's way more interesting than listening to a stuffy university lecture. The strategy guide already doubles as a textbook in that case. And maybe you might come out actually learning something. Well, maybe.