Crusader Kings III: Fate of Iberia Review (Kate27)
Reviewing (mostly) every game (or DLC) in my library, part 125:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆☆☆☆ (6/10)
Crusader Kings III: Fate of Iberia promised something new: a grand, dynamic system called the Struggle, representing the centuries-long cultural, religious, and political clashes in the Iberian Peninsula. And for the first few hours, it delivers. The map feels tense and reactive, the events are flavorful, and the mechanics create a sense that you’re caught in something bigger than yourself.
But over time, cracks start to show. The system feels like it’s fighting against the rest of the game’s design—turning conquest into a waiting game and masking important decisions behind vague mechanics. There’s great flavor here, but the execution often feels like a test of patience. If you’re deeply into roleplay, religion, or cultural flavor, there’s a lot to like, but it’s not essential. A “wait for sale” DLC unless you’re obsessed with Iberian campaigns.
🛡 Pros:
Thematically rich setting. Iberia has always been one of the most interesting parts of the medieval world. The interplay between Muslims, Christians, and Jewish communities gives the region a unique dynamic. Fate of Iberia leans into this, offering flavorful events, hybrid culture potential, and historical tensions that feel grounded and meaningful.
The Struggle system is ambitious. This isn’t just a few decisions and event chains. It’s a multi-phase, region-wide mechanic that changes how you play. As the Struggle progresses from Hostility to Compromise or Conciliation, different playstyles are rewarded. You’re not just reacting to your neighbors; you’re pushing the region toward ideological outcomes.
Strong support for hybrid cultures and tolerance mechanics. If you enjoy hybridizing cultures or managing religious pluralism, this DLC gives you tons of room to experiment. You can create multicultural realms where Mozarabic Christians and Berber Muslims coexist—or you can push aggressively toward domination and reform.
New decisions and events reflect Iberian flavor. You’ll get special decisions tied to the Struggle’s current phase—ranging from organizing interfaith debates to razing enemy holy sites. These can be strategic, not just decorative, offering real benefits depending on how you play.
🔥Cons:
The pacing is painfully slow. Struggles are supposed to evolve naturally over time, but in gameplay terms, this can mean dozens of years (or even a century) of doing minor actions just to nudge a hidden meter. If you’re not roleplaying super hard, it feels like a slog. You can’t really “push” the system unless you dedicate your entire run to it.
The mechanics are unclear and uncommunicative. There’s very little in-game guidance on what actions affect the Struggle’s phase. It’s easy to accidentally end the struggle prematurely or get locked into a direction you didn’t mean to pursue. Even experienced players have to guess at how their choices are being counted.
The tension fizzles out. The setup is compelling—religious enemies, scheming nobles, tense borders. But the “climactic” end of the Struggle often feels anticlimactic. Once you choose a resolution path, the mechanics more or less end. You get some bonuses, but the world doesn’t radically change. No big war. No massive cultural realignment. Just... it’s over.
Replay value is limited. There are technically multiple resolution paths, but the build-up is always the same. You’ll likely see most of the content in one or two playthroughs. After that, it feels more like a gimmick than a core part of the game.
Possible soft-locks. You can accidentally choose a resolution option or take an action that locks you into a struggle path—with little warning. It’s especially frustrating because this usually happens hours into a campaign. A few wrong moves, and you’re stuck waiting for the endgame to limp along.