View source for Cossacks: European Wars

{{Short description|2000 video game}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox video game
|title      = Cossacks: European Wars
|image      = Cossacks European Wars video game box art.jpg
|developer  = [[GSC Game World]]
|publisher  = [[CDV Software Entertainment]]
|producer   = Sergiy Grygorovych
|designer   = Alex Dragon
|programmer = Andrew Shpagin
|artist     = Dmitry Zenin
|engine     =
|series     = 
|released   = {{Video game release|UKR|28 November 2000<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 28, 2000 |title=Russian and Ukrainian versions of ''Cossacks'' released. |url=http://www.gsc-game.com/english/index.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010205050400/http://www.gsc-game.com/english/index.htm |archive-date=February 5, 2001 |access-date=November 28, 2024 |website=[[GSC Game World]]}}</ref>|UK|30 March 2001|NA|24 April 2001}}
|genre      = [[Real-time strategy]]
|modes      = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]], [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]]
|platforms  = [[Microsoft Windows]]
}}

'''''Cossacks: European Wars''''' ({{langx|uk|Козаки: Європейські війни}}) is a [[real-time strategy]] video game for [[Microsoft Windows]] made by the [[Ukraine|Ukrainian]] developer [[GSC Game World]]. It was released on 28 November 2000. The game has an [[Isometric projection|isometric view]] and is set in the 17th and 18th centuries of [[Europe]]. It features sixteen playable nations each with its own architectural styles, technologies and no limit on unit numbers.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Double-A Team: weird Europe and wild history in Cossacks: European Wars|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2019-11-01-the-double-a-team-weird-europe-and-wild-history-in-cossacks-european-wars|last=Tapsell|first=Chris|date=1 November 2019|website=Eurogamer|language=en|access-date=13 May 2020|archive-date=18 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218114817/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2019-11-01-the-double-a-team-weird-europe-and-wild-history-in-cossacks-european-wars|url-status=live}}</ref>

Players must avoid famine and engage in army expansion, building construction and simple [[resource management|resource gathering]].<ref name="pczone">{{cite web|url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=3719 |title=PC Review: Cossacks: European Wars |access-date=1 September 2008 |date=13 August 2001 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216001437/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=3719 |archive-date=16 December 2008 }}</ref> Mission scenarios range from conflicts such as [[Thirty Years' War]] to the [[War of the Austrian Succession]], and the game is renowned for the seemingly unlimited number of units players may control. This ability set it apart from other games of the time such as ''[[Age of Empires]]'' and ''[[Empire Earth]]''.

''Cossacks'' is a game which allows the user to gain strategy skills and learn history of that period by the inclusion of a comprehensive encyclopedia.<ref name="ign">{{cite web |url=http://au.pc.ign.com/articles/165/165080p1.html |title=IGN: Cossacks: European Wars Review |date=17 April 2001 |access-date=31 August 2008 |publisher=[[IGN Entertainment]] |archive-date=16 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216003049/http://au.pc.ign.com/articles/165/165080p1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The game has won two awards and was positively favoured by a majority of reviewers. It was a financial success.

==Gameplay==
[[File:3 cossacks european wars.JPG|thumb|300px|right|Two armies meet]]
There are 6 basic resources in the game that are crucial to the player's military victory. These are [[gold]], [[wood]], [[food]], [[Rock (geology)|stone]], [[iron]] and [[coal]]. Gold, iron and coal may only be acquired by constructing mines over a designated resource area and sending peasants into them whereas food is cultivated from mills and via the use of fishing boats. Wood and stone are gathered by conventional means and there are also specific areas where these may be collected. Depending on the type of unit or structure being built, the amount of resources needed to create a unit/structure would inflate quantitatively with each successive one built or trained. Depleted resources would result in an undesirable penalty for the player such as a lack of food will signify a [[famine]] for the state and the player's units will die from lack of supplies. Similarly, a lack of coal and iron means that shooters and cannons will cease to fire their weapons whereas a lack of gold will mean that units which require maintenance paid will commit [[mutiny]] against the state. The economic workforce consists of peasants who can multitask and also attack enemy soldiers. They can, however, also be captured by enemy troops and turned to the enemy's allegiance.

''Cossacks'' depart from common [[Real-time strategy|RTS]] titles in that military actions may be conducted by assigning [[Military organization|formations]] to soldiers or allowing them to attack solitarily without proper formations. Formations may be made by grouping exactly 15, 36, 72, 120 or 196 of a single unit type in the presence of a corresponding officer and drummer. 3 different types of formations may be assumed and used for different attacking methods.

Units in formations may also be issued a 'stand ground' order where they would also be granted a defensive bonus as well as a [[Morale#Military|morale]] improvement. [[Cavalry]] units may also be grouped into formations and function in a similar manner as would an infantry formation minus the officer and drummer units. Upgrades which affect weaponry and defensive stats can be researched in the barracks or the stables or the armories. An academy or a [[minaret]] (for various scientific research) is also needed to train officers and to build formations. There are various strategies of controlling an army developed by players during the continuous gaming online.

[[Artillery]] in the game are divided into [[Mortar (weapon)|mortars]], [[cannon]]s, multi-barrelled cannons and [[howitzer]]s and all have distinct functions which are suitable in one situation but may not be appropriate in the next. Mortars are primarily used to bombard enemy buildings and ships from afar. The resulting shrapnel and debris upon impact on the building(s) would also kill nearby enemy units as well as the player's own if in the vicinity. Cannons are the staple of the artillery forces in ''Cossacks'' and possess good range (which can be improved with its corresponding research) and shot power but are not particularly powerful against buildings, especially after the buildings' upgrades have been researched. Cannons are also able to fire a [[grape shot]] to eradicate a cluster of enemies at short range whereas a multi-barrelled cannon (must be researched at the academy and is not available to all nations) also functions in a similar manner but reloads quicker than the cannon. Howitzers are the shortest ranged artillery but possess the best shot power. They fire in an arc which means that enemy walls will not block their ordnance. They are good against both soldiers and buildings but should be escorted by guards. All artillery units may be captured by enemy forces in the same manner as the peasant workforce. The main upgrades for artillery are the extended range, the accuracy and its build time and cost.

The player may also construct ships to wage naval battles and may build from a choice of [[yacht]], [[galley]], [[frigate]] or an 18th-century [[battleship]]. Nations which are historically not well-developed are restricted in the building hierarchy to just galleys. Turkey may build [[xebec]]s which are technologically equivalent to the Western powers' frigates. Ships are used for naval domination or for shore bombardment. A player may also build [[ferry]] units to prepare for a naval assault over large bodies of water. Larger ships typically require gold for upkeep and its crew would mutiny against the owner if the resource has been depleted.

Shooters (such as the [[musketeer]] and the [[strelets]] units) take time to reload their weapons after a volley and are vulnerable to a [[melee]] counter-attack. Ranged units also require a fair distance to be able to shoot at targets and will often retreat backwards to acquire the required distance. Different shooters possess different ranges while shooting and mounted dragoons do more damage than the regulars. Significant upgrades can be conducted to raise the level of damage possible and certain upgrades can also be purchased to halve the cost of producing shooters.

[[Grenadier]] units can destroy buildings with their [[grenade]]s as well as engage enemies in both melee and ranged attacks. Military production buildings (e.g. barracks and stables) may only be destroyed by artillery and/or grenadier units whereas civilian buildings may be captured as per the usual means.

===Maps===
In ''Cossacks'' there is a multitude of playable, randomly generated maps in addition to five long campaigns which are considered{{By whom|date=September 2013}} extremely difficult to beat. These campaigns are historically accurate, and often pit the player against impossible odds.

===Nations===
* [[Ottoman Algeria|Algeria]] – The Algerians, like the other Islamic nation, the [[Ottoman Empire]], cannot advance into the 18th century. They instead rely on cheap, quick-producing units and horde tactics to overwhelm their enemies. Their navy, like the Ottoman Empire's, also cannot produce frigates like the Europeans, instead their shipyards build [[Xebec]]s, which match the Europeans' 17th-century battleships. Algerians may not produce the 18th-century [[Ship of the line|ship-of-the-line]]. The Algerian unique units are the regular [[Archery|Archer]] and the [[Mameluke]].
* [[Archduchy of Austria|Austria]] – The Austrians are one of the most diverse states in the game, having unique units in both the 17th and 18th centuries. Austria produces the 17th century [[Jäger (military)#Austria-Hungary|Musketeers]] ([[Jäger (infantry)|Jäger]]) with the most damage, regular [[Rodeleros|Roundshiers]], [[Trenck's Pandurs|Pandurs]], and [[Croats (military unit)|Croat]] cavalry.
* [[Danish overseas colonies|Denmark]] – Danish musketeers, at least in the most current netbook version, carry grenades – although unlike the dedicated [[grenadier]], these cannot be upgraded in power.
* [[Kingdom of England|England]] – English troops are all unique in the fact that they are readier quicker than all the other nations. English upgrades are different because they give a higher attack value earlier than other nations. The English unique units are the [[Scottish regiment|Highlander]] and the [[Bagpipes|Bagpiper]]. The highlander is a long-ranged unit with no bayonet, and is built from the 18th-century barracks. The bagpiper is used to form 18th-century formations together with the 18th-century officer.
* [[Kingdom of France|France]] – The French specialize in musket-armed cavalry, as two of their unique units, the [[Musketeers of the Guard|King's Musketeer]] and the 18th-century [[Dragoon]], fall under this classification. The third French unique unit is the [[Chasseur]], a long-ranged infantry unit without bayonets. Players playing against France should be prepared for a French charge of 18th-century Dragoons. The French dragoon is unique because it produces faster than regular dragoons, but sacrifices its firepower.
* [[Dutch Republic|Netherlands]] – Players facing the Dutch must be prepared to be rushed by Dutch 17th-century [[Harquebusier|Musketeers]] (Harquebusier), as they are the fastest-producing units of their type. This is the only Dutch unique unit. They have lesser attack than normal Musketeers, but are cheaper. They also have the best fire rate of all 17th-century Musketeers.
* [[Kingdom of Sardinia|Piedmont]] – The Piedmontese produce [[Priesthood in the Catholic Church|Padres]], the best healers in the game. They also have a 17th-century musketeer which is readier faster on its 2nd upgrade. A few Padres used with Piedmontese regular infantry is hard to take down with units that deal below 10 damage.
* [[Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth|Poland]] – Poland has four unique units, the 17th-century [[Musketeer]], the 17th-century [[Pikeman]], the [[Polish Hussar|Winged Hussar]] and the [[Light Cavalry|Light Rider]]. It has the highest attack rating of the light cavalry class, and is effective against both infantry and cavalry. Polish musketeers take the longest to produce, but are the cheapest and have an attack equivalent to their Austrian counterparts'. Polish 17th-century pikemen are weak, but are produced very quickly.
* [[Kingdom of Portugal|Portugal]] – The Portuguese have no unique units, but they do, however, possess a unique building. The Portuguese [[Shipyard]] works like a tower in the fact that it may fire cannons as a defensive measure and can upgrade the number of its guns, just like a tower. Portugal has the advantage in water games where cannons, towers and walls are turned off, as its shipyard acts as a defense all by itself.
* [[Kingdom of Prussia|Prussia]] – The Prussian unique units are the 18th-century [[Fusilier#Germany|Musketeer]] ([[Fusilier]]) and the Prussian [[Hussar]]. The Prussian Musketeer is powerful but expensive to create. The second Prussian unique unit, the Hussar, is a fast-building, rapid response cavalry unit.
* [[Tsardom of Russia|Russia]] – The land of the czars has the most number of unique units in the game at six. However, all its unique units are produced in the 17th century. Russians can produce [[Spear]]men, special 17th-century [[Drummer#Drummers in the military|Drummers]], Commanders (instead of 17th-century officers), Don [[Cossacks]], [[wikt:Vityaz|Vityaz]]es, and [[Streltsy|Strelets]].
* [[Electorate of Saxony|Saxony]] – Saxon players have access to one of the most effective 18th-century [[Musketeer]]s of the game, but it is also the one with the greatest production time. Saxon players also have the [[Garde du Corps (Prussia)|Cavalry Guard]], a fast-to-create, heavy-hitting, armored cavalry unit. It has very big 7th defense upgrade, +30 defense.
* [[Habsburg Spain|Spain]] – The Spanish have only one unique unit, but it is readily available upon building the 17th-century barracks. The Spanish 17th-century [[Conquistador|Musketeer]] (Conquistador) is the only armored infantry shooter in the whole game. The Spanish musketeer also does not come equipped with a bayonet, and will retreat if enemy units come too close.
* [[Swedish Empire|Sweden]] – The army of [[Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden|King Gustavus Adolphus]] is typified by its two unique units – the Swedish rider (knekt), and the Swedish 18th-century pikeman.
* [[Ottoman Empire|Turkey]] – Turks specialize in infantry, cavalry and naval units, but cannot advance into the 18th century, like the other Islamic nation, Algeria. Their unique units are the [[Janissary]], the [[Spakh]], the [[Tatars|Tatar]] and the [[Galiot|Turkish yacht]]. Turkey also produces gunpowder infantry – the Janissaries. They fire from long range, and are effective when combined with light infantry or Ottoman pikemen.
* [[Cossack Hetmanate|Ukraine]] – Ukrainians produce five unique units – the Ukrainian [[Peasant]], [[Serdyuk|Serdiuk]] (shooter), and three [[Cossack]] units. The Ukrainian Peasant is only peasant that cannot be captured. The Serdiuks are the only type of infantry that the Ukrainians can produce other than [[Mercenary|mercenaries]]. Ukraine is also unable to advance into the next century, much like the Muslim nations. Ukrainian Serdiuks are supposedly mercenaries themselves under the command of the Cossack [[Hetman]], but it is the Hetman that requires gold upkeep. The other two Ukrainian unique units are the regular Sich and Register [[Cossacks]]. Sich Cossacks are the fastest cavalry units in the game, and are best used for harassing the enemy and raids. Register Cossacks are designed to mow down infantry, and are created fairly quickly. Hetman commanders are expensive, however, hetmans have a very high attack.
* [[Republic of Venice|Venice]] – The Venetians are a sea power. There is nothing noteworthy of the Venetian land army. However, Venice's one unique unit{{snd}}the [[galleass]]{{snd}}is emblematic might of its navy. The galleass has two types of weapons – the cannon, fired broadside from the ship, and the ship's mortars, which have a plunging fire attack of 100. The galleass is primarily intended for the shelling of fortresses from the sea, but is a jack-of-all-trades nonetheless.

==Development==
''Cossacks: European Wars'' was developed in [[Ukraine]] by [[GSC Game World]]. The game has been noted for artistic qualities and great graphics, in particular the special effects which were once described as "second to none".<ref name="pczone" /> Another remarkable feat, is the [[technology tree]] having more than 300 upgrades.<ref name="newscreen">{{cite web |url=http://au.gamespot.com/news/2639358.html |title=New Cossacks: European Wars Screenshots |access-date=18 September 2008 |date=12 October 2000 |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CNET Networks]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216001056/http://au.gamespot.com/news/2639358.html |archive-date=16 December 2008  }}</ref>

Desires to create the game ''Cossacks'' began in 1997, when ''Age of Empires'' was published, and development started in 1998. The 17th and 18th centuries were selected because the most obvious continuation of ''Age of Empires'' would be medieval Europe and ''Cossacks'' was its logical successor, not a competitor. At first, ''Cossacks'' was supposed to be about the confrontation in Ukraine and Russia and there would be four nations: Ukraine, Russia, Europe and Turkey. The game would be sold in the domestic market. After the exhibition [[MILIA]] in Cannes, where a demo version of ''Cossacks'' had received good reviews from reputable people associated with the creation and publishing house of computer games, it was decided to increase the number of nations to 16 and sell the game around the world. In order to be able to play on the map with thousands of units, 2D graphics were selected.

The number of people who developed the game was increased from four in 1998 to twelve in 2000, when the project was nearing completion. At different stages of the work, authors of maps and testers joined the development. In March 2001, ''Cossacks: European Wars'' appeared in stores.

The game was re-released in 2011 on the Steam platform, along with its sequel ''Cossacks II''. The games are also available [[DRM-free]] from [[GOG.com]].

==Expansions==

===''Cossacks: The Art of War''===
''The Art of War'', released on 1 April 2002, is the first standalone [[expansion pack]]. Like the original ''Cossacks'', the game is set in the 17th and 18th centuries, and 8000 units can be controlled. ''Cossacks: The Art of War'' adds 5 new campaigns, 2 new nations (namely [[Denmark]] and [[Kingdom of Bavaria|Bavaria]]), a map editor, and 16 times larger maps with new terrains. Both new nations possess an 18th-century [[Musketeer]] unit, which have different attributes.

===''Cossacks: Back to War''===
''Back to War'', released on 18 October 2002, is the second [[expansion pack]], and it can be played as a [[wikt:stand-alone|standalone]]. ''Cossacks: Back to War'' adds two new nations ([[Switzerland]] and [[Kingdom of Hungary|Hungary]]) to the choices from ''Cossacks: European Wars'' and ''Cossacks: Art of War'' because of their influence on European history. There are also new maps, a tutorial campaign and a map-editor. Cossacks: Back to War comes with a mod on the CD called Mod1 or Baddog's mod, developed by Shaun Fletcher, it adds several units to various countries, new cannon types and alters some parameters such as building time, upgrade and building costs.

====''Cossacks: Campaign Expansion''====
''Cossacks: Campaign Expansion'', released on 1 November 2002, is a piece of [[downloadable content]] for ''Cossacks: Back to War''. It contains four single-player campaigns from the original game, ''Cossacks: European Wars'', and five from ''The Art of War'': nine campaigns with 63 hardcore missions.

==Reception==
===Sales===
John Bye of [[Eurogamer]] described ''Cossacks: European Wars'' as a "massive hit".<ref name=euroint /> Publisher [[CDV Software]] told investors that the game was "very successful" through the end of 2000, after its release late that year.<ref name=annual2000>{{cite report | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041017051729/http://www.cdv.de/download/share/ogg2000.pdf | url=http://www.cdv.de:80/download/share/ogg2000.pdf | title=Annual Report 2000 | date=2001 | publisher=[[CDV Software]] | archive-date=17 October 2004 | page=7 | url-status=dead | access-date=16 April 2019 | df=dmy-all }}</ref> It sold well in Russia, where consumers purchased over 300,000 units by December 2001. It was also popular in Britain, reaching #1 on the sales charts and selling roughly 100,000 copies by that date, according to [[GSC Game World]].<ref name=euroint /> The United Kingdom's [[Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association]] (ELSPA) ultimately gave ''Cossacks'' a "Silver" sales award in September 2002, for 100,000 sales in the region.<ref name=elspa>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171020211004/https://www.gameswelt.ch/cossacks-european-wars/news/ueber-100.000-exemplare-verkauft,68793 | url=https://www.gameswelt.ch/cossacks-european-wars/news/ueber-100.000-exemplare-verkauft,68793 | title=''Cossacks'' Auch in England Erfolgreich | date=13 September 2002 | work=Gameswelt | archive-date=20 October 2017 | language=de | url-status=live }}</ref> Conversely, the developers were let down by the game's poor performance in the United States,<ref name=euroint /> where it launched at #8 on [[NPD Intelect]]'s computer game sales chart for the week of 29 April 2001. It was absent by its second week.<ref name=npd>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011023073340/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2764668,00.html |url=http://gamespot.com:80/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2764668,00.html |title=''Sims'' games get lost in the ''Myst'' |author=Walker, Trey |date=23 May 2001 |work=[[GameSpot]] |archive-date=23 October 2001 |url-status=dead }}</ref> By May 2004, ''Cossacks'' had sold above 150,000 units in France alone.<ref name=150k>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051020180624/http://www.afjv.com/press0405/040524_focus.htm | url=http://www.afjv.com/press0405/040524_focus.htm | title=Focus sort ses deux premiers hits à prix choc | date=24 May 2004 | publisher=[[:fr:Agence française pour le jeu vidéo|Agence française pour le jeu vidéo]] | archive-date=20 October 2005 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

''Cossacks''{{'}} initial performance in the German market pleased CDV.<ref name=annual2000 /> The title debuted at #5 on Media Control's computer game sales chart for December 2000, and proceeded to place fifth, fourth and seventh over the following three months, respectively.<ref name=month3>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010207030751/http://www.vud.de/charts/pcg55.php3 | url=http://www.vud.de:80/charts/pcg55.php3 | title=Zeitraum: Januar 2001 | publisher=Verband der Unterhaltungssoftware Deutschland | archive-date=7 February 2001 | language=de | url-status=dead | access-date=16 April 2019 | df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name=month4>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010429023548/http://www.vud.de/charts/pcg55.php3 | url=http://www.vud.de:80/charts/pcg55.php3 | title=Zeitraum: März 2001 | publisher=Verband der Unterhaltungssoftware Deutschland | archive-date=29 April 2001 | language=de | url-status=dead | access-date=16 April 2019 | df=dmy-all }}</ref> The Verband der Unterhaltungssoftware Deutschland (VUD) presented the game with a "Gold" award in July 2001,<ref name=vudgold>{{cite press release | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011225230611/http://www.vud.de/presse/juli2001.php3 | url=http://www.vud.de:80/presse/juli2001.php3 | title=VUD Sales Awards: Juli 2001 | date=31 July 2001 | publisher=Verband der Unterhaltungssoftware Deutschland | archive-date=25 December 2001 | url-status=dead | access-date=16 April 2019 | df=dmy-all }}</ref> indicating sales of at least 100,000 units across Germany, Austria and Switzerland.<ref name=gameprogold>{{cite magazine | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718145345/https://www.gamepro.de/artikel/vud-gold-awards-2003,1290773.html | url=https://www.gamepro.de/artikel/vud-gold-awards-2003,1290773.html | title=VUD-Gold-Awards 2003 | author=Horn, Andre | date=14 January 2004 | magazine=[[GamePro|GamePro Germany]] | archive-date=18 July 2018 | language=de | url-status=live }}</ref> By October, the game had held in Media Control's top 30 for 11 consecutive months, retaining 11th in September and 18th in October.<ref name=mediacontrol1>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011112110356/http://www.vud.de/charts/pcg55.php3 | url=http://www.vud.de:80/charts/pcg55.php3 | title=Zeitraum: Oktober 2001 | publisher=Verband der Unterhaltungssoftware Deutschland | language=de | archive-date=12 November 2001 | url-status=dead | access-date=16 April 2019 | df=dmy-all }}</ref>

''Cossacks'' sold above 500,000 units globally by December 2001.<ref name=euroint>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030228091306/http://www.eurogamer.net/content/i_cossacks | url=http://www.eurogamer.net:80/content/i_cossacks | title=The Art of ''Cossacks'' | date=14 December 2001 | author=Bye, John | work=[[Eurogamer]] | archive-date=28 February 2003 | url-status=dead | access-date=16 April 2019 | df=dmy-all }}</ref> This success made it one of CDV's biggest titles at the time, alongside ''[[Sudden Strike (video game)|Sudden Strike]]''.<ref name=annual2001>{{cite report | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041017052951/http://www.cdv.de/download/share/gb2001.pdf | url=http://www.cdv.de:80/download/share/gb2001.pdf | title=Annual Report 2001 | publisher=[[CDV Software]] | date=March 2002 | archive-date=17 October 2004 | pages=6, 21 | url-status=dead | access-date=16 April 2019 | df=dmy-all }}</ref> Sales surpassed 650,000 units by September 2002,<ref name=elspa /> while the overall ''Cossacks'' series topped 1 million units by the end of that year.<ref name=annual2002>{{cite report | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041017052536/http://www.cdv.de/download/share/gb2002e.pdf | url=http://www.cdv.de:80/download/share/gb2002e.pdf | title=Annual Report 2002 | date=March 2003 | publisher=[[CDV Software]] | archive-date=17 October 2004 | page=36 | url-status=dead | access-date=16 April 2019 | df=dmy-all }}</ref> The franchise surpassed 2.5 million sales by early 2005.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.afjv.com/press0501/050126_cossacks2_napoleonic_wars.htm |title=&#91;afjv&#93; – Cossacks 2 – Napoleonic Wars : l'Empereur est de retour ! |website=www.afjv.com |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051020174152/http://www.afjv.com/press0501/050126_cossacks2_napoleonic_wars.htm |archive-date=20 October 2005 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Critical reviews===
{{Video game reviews
| GR = 78%<ref name="gamerank">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/367463.asp |title=Cossacks: European Wars – PC |access-date=31 August 2008 |publisher=[[CNET Networks]] |archive-date=6 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180506173504/http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/367463-cossacks-european-wars/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
| MC = 74/100<ref name="metacritic">{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/cossackseuropeanwars |title=Cossacks: European Wars (pc 2001):Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=31 August 2008 |archive-date=22 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100222083915/http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/cossackseuropeanwars |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| EuroG = 8/10<ref name="eurogamer">{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/game.php?game_id=149 |title=Cossacks: European Wars |access-date=31 August 2008 |publisher=[[Eurogamer]] }}{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
| GSpot = 7.1/10<ref name="gamespot">{{cite web |url=http://au.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/cossackseuropeanwars/review.html |title=Cossacks: European Wars for PC Review |access-date=31 August 2008 |publisher=[[CNET Networks]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120814031943/http://au.gamespot.com/cossacks-european-wars/reviews/cossacks-european-wars-review-2702187/ |archive-date=14 August 2012  }}</ref>
| IGN = 7.5/10<ref name="ign" />
| NGen = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="NG"/>
| PCZone = 8.9/10<ref name="pczone"/>
| rev1 = ''ESC Magazine''
| rev1Score = 9/10<ref name="esq">{{cite web |url=http://www.escmag.com/v5/reviews/review.cfm?rv=74 |title=Cossacks: European Wars – ESCMag Review |access-date=18 September 2008 |author=Garret Romaine |date=5 September 2001 |publisher=ESC Magazine |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216001103/http://www.escmag.com/v5/reviews/review.cfm?rv=74 |archive-date=16 December 2008  }}</ref>
}}

Reviews for ''Cossacks: European Wars'' range from fair to good. ''Cossacks: European Wars'' received a ''[[PC Zone]]'' award for excellence and the Strategy Player Game of the Month award.{{clarify|post-text= – which month?|date=June 2012}}

Reviewers generally praised the detail and accuracy during gameplay and felt the [[cut scene]]s and opening video were impressive.<ref name="esq" /> A [[GameSpot]] review noted how the game followed the traditional formula of the RTS genre, exhibiting significant similarities to ''[[Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings]]'' but that the diverse types of factions and military units added to the replayability.<ref name="gamespot" /> Another conclusion was that some of the larger scenarios can be quite daunting due to having to manage many resources and a large fighting force. A review in ESC Magazine described it as a complex game with many mouse clicks and fast artificial intelligence for computer opponents.<ref name="esq"/>

A review by [[IGN Entertainment|IGN staff]] concluded that the game's depth, potential and lasting appeal were its strong points but poor design decisions detracted from its [[Gameplay|playability]].<ref name="ign"/> They also thought the [[artificial intelligence]] was below par, as the variable defensive abilities of their forces resulted in significant imbalances.<ref name="ign"/> The ''PC Zone'' review described the game's graphics as detailed and impressive, and liked the historical accuracy, smooth unit movement and 3D landscapes.{{citation needed|date=October 2017}}

John Lee reviewed the PC version of the game for ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'', rating it four stars out of five, and stated that "Like an old movie poster, this carnival of carnage can claim 'a cast of thousands' – as well as adjectives like 'thrilling,' 'sweeping,' and, occasionally, 'glorious.'"<ref name="NG">{{cite magazine|last=Lee|first=John|title=Finals|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|volume=4|issue=4|publisher=[[Future US|Imagine Media]]|date=April 2001|page=90}}</ref>

The editors of ''[[Computer Games Magazine]]'' nominated ''Cossacks'' as the best real-time strategy game of 2001, but ultimately gave the award to ''[[Kohan: Immortal Sovereigns]]''.<ref name=cgm11th>{{cite journal | author=Staff | journal=[[Computer Games Magazine]] | title=11th Annual ''Computer Games'' Awards |date=March 2002 | issue=136 | pages=50–56 }}</ref>

==Related games==
Two sequels were released: ''[[Cossacks II: Napoleonic Wars]]'' in 2005 and ''[[Cossacks 3]]'' in 2016. There is a spin-off of ''Cossacks'' from [[GSC Game World]] using the same engine, ''[[American Conquest]]''.<ref>[http://www.gameplasma.com/reviews.php?do=view&id=358 Three Centuries of War]{{dead link|date=August 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} at gameplasma.com</ref> GSC Game World developed ''[[Alexander (video game)|Alexander]]''  for [[Ubisoft]] in 2004, a less successful strategy PC game based on the movie [[Alexander (2004 film)|Alexander]]. Also to be noted is the real-time strategy role-playing game ''[[Heroes of Annihilated Empires]]'' released in 2006; which, owing to poor AI, became a less successful project.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{GSC Game World}}

[[Category:2000 video games]]
[[Category:CDV Software Entertainment games]]
[[Category:Cossacks (video game series)]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:Real-time strategy video games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Ukraine]]
[[Category:Video games set in Africa]]
[[Category:Video games set in Europe]]
[[Category:Video games set in the 18th century]]
[[Category:Video games set in the Caribbean]]
[[Category:Windows games]]
[[Category:Windows-only games]]