Yeah, the game i played today i got started on South America and worked my way up north, before moving on across the oceans with Japan and the UK. Had all of them too, aside from like two one-CP minors. Couldn't get into France and Russia though, even with three Councillors spamming Improve Relations on France i still couldn't muscle out the Servants, they just kept outdoing my progress in the same turn while merging countries to lock me out of those too.

I can recommend putting three pips on Economy and Welfare though, it really helps develop a country. Taiwan and Argentina had space programs booting up around when i called it quits, and i was tech rushing as hard as an average Stellaris game :P

Yep, both EU and US are great to get. France is important, and to do US easier grabbing Canada and Mexico is important.

Yeah, damn shame, that.

As an aside, go for the EU early, they can merge a ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ of nations together. Between that and the US you should pretty much be set.

The no save really kills the notion of playing the demo for the normal people.