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"Right action is better than knowledge; but in order to do what is right, we must know what is right."
- Charlemagne

💻 Description:

Crusader Kings III (CK3) is a grand strategy game developed by Paradox Interactive. Like its many predecessors, it relies heavily on macro and micro-management, mainly by testing the player’s leadership and cunning. The beloved sequel continues the CK legacy by refining the already well-made mechanical aspect through the implementation of more modern graphics, a detailed map and some small yet impactful tweaks. The staggering amount of content offered is further built upon with the introduction of its many DLCs, which in turn add more flavour to the original recipe.

📖 Setting:

In the history books, the era of duchies, kingdoms and empires is marked by skilled individuals who dance gracefully on the ashes of their former enemies. But alone a sharp sword or a flexible bow cannot always lead to victory, as diplomacy, stewardship, learning and intrigue play an equally important factor in the ways of war. What kind of path will your dynasty follow?
History
The CK3 experience can be divided into six defining periods of our world’s history. From the conquest of York, by the notorious sons of Ragnar Lothrbrok to the fall of the Iberian Kingdom, which followed the death of Ferdinand I. The player can choose or even create their dynasty, with hopes of ensuring the security and power of each new generation. The game’s end date comes upon reaching the year 1453, providing lots of time for newcomers to the series to explore all the nooks and crannies.
Roleplay
Among the core aspects of the CK3 experience, its roleplay potential counts as the most intriguing one. Each action has a consequence that can impact not only the gameplay but also the player’s in-game appearance. For example, a wound inflicted in battle can threaten the player’s life; however, if treated properly, it can be recognized by the AI as a mark of respect, which provides attraction bonuses and fame. This specific feature not only encourages replayability but also provides immersion that is rarely seen in any other strategy game.

🕹️ Gameplay:

In order to get involved in the action, players are provided with a sophisticated tutorial that, in spite of its comprehensive writing, merely scratches the surface. There are lots of details that cannot be explained by an AI and that, unfortunately, forces the player to read many extensive guides before purchasing. This is the only inconvenience that discourages a lot of newcomers from actually enjoying the CK experience. Despite this bittersweet feature, the complexity of the gameplay is its strongest attribute, as it challenges the hardcore fans to the fullest, by providing difficult choices and decisions. Since there are a lot of things to discuss, this specific review will only cover the crème de la crème of the unique CK3 formula.
Characters
Like in its previous titles, the entire simulation in CK3 revolves around characters, who are defined by their dynasty tree. Depending on various in-game choices, including the assignment of a tutor or the bloodline of his parents, the child born in the dynasty is affected either by gaining specific traits, that in turn affect its skills, or by embracing the virtues of a specific culture and religion. As the game progresses, those features can be affected causing negative and positive results. In case the main character dies, their child or a distant relative will take their place as a ruler, which is determined by succession and other equally important factors. If all the members of the player’s dynasty die, the game ends instantly.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2819017001
Skill trees
As mentioned before, every member of a dynasty can acquire or lose certain traits that impact their skills. Those are, in turn, linked to five unique lifestyles, each having three distinctive paths that affect future events and choices. The character can manoeuvre their way through those different playstyles, by combining branches from different skill trees or through various dialogue options. It is essential to mention that the traits of a character favour specific playstyles, as certain traits boost or limit the progression of a lifestyle path.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2819017980
Identity
Both the characters and the various nations of the CK3 world are distinguished by their culture and religion. Each of them provides different bonuses both to the player and their vassals. For example, people from the same religion and culture are more accepting of each other, whereas the opposite can create conflicts.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2819020391
Culture
The cultural innovations are the ones responsible for the game’s progression, as they unlock attributes that otherwise, the player won’t have access to. Those features include; specific military units, specific buildings, as well as inheritance laws. The culture head, the ruler that has the most counties of the same culture, is responsible for the innovation’s progress. Depending on their learning skill and certain perks of the above-mentioned skill trees, the progress of innovation will be either shortened or prolonged.
Religion
Religion, on the other hand, provides mostly limitations that, if taken lightly, will eventually determine the progress of a playthrough. A male-dominated religion, for example, does not allow the initiation of females in the clerical tradition and so on. With enough piety, the player can reform the religion or even create his own, shifting the course of the game to their own needs.
Stress level
With the purpose of limiting the many overpowered playstyles, the game introduced the stress level system. Each time the player does not follow their character’s personality restrictions, they will be getting a stress penalty. For example, truthful rulers get a stress penalty if they indulge in assassination schemes. If the penalties exceed a certain limit, characters will have a mental breakdown, thus forcing them to adopt a predominantly negative coping mechanism (a bad trait). If the player chooses to ignore those breakdowns, they will eventually lead to their character’s demise.

👁‍🗨 Visuals:

The mediaeval aesthetic of the game is spot-on, with lots of attention put into detail. From the background scenery of a court to the lavish character outfits and the various facial characteristics, the player can easily extinguish the amount of effort put into the accurate representation of armies and heraldry. The same thing can be said for the negative and positive traits that are depicted by vivid colours and clear shapes in the character spreadsheet.

🎧 Audio:

Undeniably the most surprising feature of the game. The different sound effects, which coordinate perfectly with the beautiful background music, left me speechless. The Norsemen have battle horns, the West civilizations flutes… I still cannot forget the vivid tune playing in the background, when I took part in my first Crusade. It is such a unique feature, yet so underappreciated.

📋 Verdict:

CK3 is not “a” strategy game; it is “the” strategy game that undeniably stole my heart with its unique concepts, along with its beautiful soundtracks and scenery. It is a demanding game, not for the faint-hearted, due to its complicated mechanics and difficult learning curve. Overall, I consider it a one-of-a-kind experience.
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