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Europa Universalis IV - in my opinion, one of the best strategy games ever made.
There is so much to say about this game that I have to deliberately oversimplify most of my review to make it comprehensive.
There are essentially three things that makes this game great, and two things that may still repulse the average gamer.

POSITIVES
The first thing that makes EUIV great is its depth. The level of strategic thinking needed is immensely high due to the number of parameters you must simultaneously keep track off, which ensures you will be grossly engaged in each campaign. The level of well-researched detail that the developers have incorporated into the game, from individuals to events to places, allows you to be engaged into all levels of your nation and makes you feel like a true participant in each historical epoch. Has a strategy game enthusiast there is an alluring complexity to EUIV which motivates me to constantly think of new strategies and tactics.
The second strength of this Paradox title is how almost infinitely "replayable" it is. The vast number of nations available from the start date together with each one's almost unique mission tree and compatible playstyles, coupled with Paradox's frequent updates, raises the question as to whether you will ever be able to fully experience all the game has to offer. The behaviour of the other nations and the uncertain outcomes of each historical event also means that even campaigns you have completed before can develop very differently from each run-through. Chasing the full completion of all 373 achievements on Iron Man mode is also a true Herculean struggle which will both make you feel immensely engaged but maybe also raise questions as to the other ways you might have spent those 1000 hours of your life.
Thirdly, the atmosphere and historical accuracy of the game also makes you feel like a true king, sultan, raj or bishop. As I said earlier the game is very well-researched and has definitely taught me a lot about early modern history that I would certainly never have discovered otherwise, which is understandable given that the very first Europa Universalis title was developed as teaching tool for Swedish middle school students during the 1990s. This also means that EUIV is more of a simulation than a competitive game, which fits people of my phlegmatic nature who prefers the experience of a game over the statistics you achieve by the end of each match.
As I said earlier, there are definitely more great things I could say about this game. But to provide a balanced and truthful review I feel obliged to share two key problems I have with this otherwise monumental title.

NEGATIVES
When I first started playing EUIV, I actually hated the game. This was mainly because the built-in tutorial was so underwhelming that I was completely unprepared for the unbelievably complex strategy game I was about to enter. It took a lot of Youtube videos, over a hundred hours of play time and a lot of insufferable defeats before I started to understand what I was doing. From the point I started to understand the game fully I became increasingly hooked on EUIV, which is part of what makes the game so rewarding. The incredibly steep learning curve makes success ever more rewarding, but I would not blame anyone for choosing to quit the game after the first campaign. So be warned: this game is not for the impatient.
A more serious concern I have about the game is Paradox's exploitative DLC business strategy. To fully experience EUIV you have to buy over 300 dollars worth of DLC which has been released since its original publication. These DLCs do not just enhance the EUIV experience; they are arguably necessary for a complete gaming experience. Without them the game goes from a solid nine, or even ten, out of ten to, at best, a six or seven. Such essential content should not be locked behind a paywall - this is not EA or EPIC Games for Odin's sake! So, my recommendation for approaching EUIV is:
1. Buy the base game on sale.
2. Play the (insufficient) tutorial and maybe five to ten practice campaigns.
3. If you don't love it, leave it in your library to rot. If you like it, wait until all the DLC becomes available for peanuts on Humble Bundle or Steam Sales. Even if you LOVE it, still try your best to get the DLC for a discounted price. We have to send a message to Paradox that this kind of business model should not pay off. Plus, there are much better ways to spend your money than on strategy games, no matter how great they are.
CONCLUSION
As I said, I have a lot to say about this game. But the most comprehensive conclusion would be as follows. EUIV is one of the world's best strategy games due to its strategic depth, nearly infinite "replayability" and historically accurate atmosphere. It suffers from its immensely steep learning curve and lack of useful tutorial tools for beginners, as well from Paradox's rather horrible DLC business strategy. So, if you love strategy games and history, if you are of a patient nature, and, most importantly, have a lot of time on your hands, then I can do nothing but strongly recommend this game to you.
"IMPERARE SIBI MAXIMUM IMPERIUM EST." - Seneca