Crusader Kings II

Its good

this game used to work but now is no longer usable with windows 11. or at least thats been my exsperance with a modern laptop. i have CK3 but i did like the charm of this game and it sucks to have a game that you payed for on a platform like this just not work and crash like your trying to boot a game from 1996 off a cd

Massive time sink, do anything else with your life. Also the sound that the dying infants make is haunting.

I have had so much fun playing this game

The only barrier to entry is your time, so why not?

A great way to spend a day... Or ten.

Love this Game. Steep gaming curve but i watched some yoputube videos and learned enough to get me going. Once I learned the game it turned int one of the greatest gaming experiences ever.

This is a nice robbery by paradox. I enjoy it very much

It's ok

Game is awesome buuuuut..

Multiplayer Desync is real. This is a massive bug in the community.

Paradox need to fix this bug or otherwise this game is not a playable state for multiplayer.
Really hope you guys please fix this bug! This game is awesome to play with friends.

Não existe outro jogo que me permite reformar o Império Romano E colocar cavalos no poder. Facilmente meu jogo favorito.

There is no other game which allows me to reform the Roman Empire and put a horse on the throne. Easily my favorite game ever.

Glitterhoof/10

its Free

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I wanted to knock up my friend's wife, but the co-op doesn't work well and we never got to play.

Are you a King?

CK3 never happened.

fun

Good game

to many buttons and drama

Heavy is the head that wears the crown

better than CKIII

Lots of fun!

game good

It's alright.

Good game

Stil miles better than CK3 in any way possible except the graphics. Far far superior to it's successor.

Kingdom sandbox void. Get absorbed ASAP

Good game. 9.2/10

Cut my teeth on Paradox games with this one, I think it is v beginner friendly. 3 is better in every way but you won't find a better free strategy game on Steam. Totally playable without any expansions, it'll give you a good sense on if this type of game is for you.

Good game; classic, still holds up

Seducing every women from England to Tibet. 0/10 I will probably never get 106 women in real life.

This game is honestly one of my favorite games of all-time. Leading dynasties in the Middle Ages, waging war for your faith, conspiring against your rivals, and managing a realm of vassals from count, duke, king, and emperor. There really is an endless supply of choices you could make that can make each experience unique.

The game also has a charm to it that is hard to describe. Yes, nostalgia can play a part in it but it is also just aesthetically pleasing. The music, sound effects, graphics, designs, etc., they are all amazing. It really is a timeless classic, and thankfully it has a worthy successor in CK3.

A fantastic, expansive, and immersive strategy game - one of the absolute all-time greats. Despite being less popular than others in the genre, and rather outdated now thanks to CK3, it still holds up really well and is honestly endlessly playable. Don't let all the DLCs dissuade you, even the base game is one of the best Paradox game experiences you'll ever have.

This is one of the games I used to replay many times. A classic!

One of the greatest of all time. CK2 combines map painting country management with rpg elements at a time in history that is perfect for it. Feudalism. Take charge of a historical ruler and their family as you fight, scheme, and crusade your way to regional or global dominance. Retake the west as the Eastern Roman Empire, convert all of Scandinavia to Judaism, start a secret satanist coven in Europe. The replay value is endless. On top of fantastic mechanics and solid map art, this game boasts one of the best strategy game soundtracks I have ever heard in my life. From In Taberna to the menu theme, it truly makes you feel like a medieval monarch. I cannot recommend this game enough.

Created an empire and then my heir turned into a polar bear 10/10 also get the agot mod it's peak

What can I say that hasn't been said before? You can take any power in the early medieval world and raise it into a powerhouse, play the most faithful and loyal vassal of your king, or dabble in assassination plots until your house is the only stable one.

You write your own history here, and there's more than enough way to do so, in many different locations in the world. Highly recommend.

Very good game concept and implementation. I still recommend this game even after new CK3 game.

Great game, tonnes of replayability.

Conquer, very good

great game for casual play, not so great if you are a completionist

There are so many cool memories that I can say about this awesome game. Just know you can have crazy events happen like when an adventurer from Africa conquer all of Lombardy and convert half of Europe to the African faith and then she converted to Catholic. Just cool stuff like that makes this game great. Ck2 and 3 are both great in their own ways highly recommend.

Really fun and interesting, however the base game is pretty limited. Should buy at least a few DLCs - that makes the games' experience way more enjoyable. Without the DLCs it feels like you can't really do much and the game is much harder and boring. Overall, really great game for people into real grand strategy, but the time required to learn it is quite high.

nice game strongly recommend

good

If you love medieval history with all its scheming and plotting to make your dynasty thrive, this is perfect for you. I could sit for hours and just browse the maps with all details on kingdoms, cultures, religions, dynasties etc. It's literally a playable history book :)

i have yet to learn how this game works 100/10

So anyway:

Poisoning my wife had no consequences, and my new marriage to secure myself a son were accomplished swiftly. Nevertheless, a few peculiar events did follow. I was working late in my study one night when a figure crept up from the dungeons. Who could this be? I peered around the corner, and was alarmed to discover my willowy, nine-year-old daughter stepping out of the dungeons, wiping her hands on her dress.

I rose and confronted her at once. My daughter made no attempt to hide the strange, blood-like stains on her hands, and she smiled wanly at my questions. She had a peculiar look in her eyes, and I noticed that she had a small, cruel-looking knife at her side, also color of blood. She was a quiet child, and answered me nothing. Exasperated by her intransigence, I sent her straight to bed.

I thought nothing more of it. My wife had been a wildcat with bizarre and occult interest; I assumed some of this weirdness had rubbed off on her child.

A few months later, tragedy struck. My other daughter, the elder, pitched headlong off of the castle wall and broke her neck. I was sick with grief; she had looked so like her mother, and had been developing so nicely. I could hardly focus on matters of state. Some in my court suspected foul play - my spymaster seemed like he had a theory, but wouldn't yet put it to me. I, for one, was convinced it was a judgement of God on my sins. After all, my older daughter had been walking alone except for the younger.

Perhaps another year passed. My new queen has swollen with child, and we pray day and night that it shall be a boy to succeed me. Then I hear horrible news: my spymaster was killed in a brawl in the lower town! Appalled, I ordered an investigation. The murderer was never found, but I learned that he had allowed himself to be drawn into a knife-fight with a group of feral urchins. Apparently, a waif of a whore girl had expertly cut his throat. It will take some time to accomadate my new spymaster to the secret workings of the kingdom.

I was encouraged by the birth of my son, but it was difficult to escape the sense of a pall about me. God's judgement laid heavily upon me, and my woes did not cease. No sooner was the child born than it died. My court physician said the child had asphyxiated, but I do not know how this could have been the case. No one was allowed to see the child except my immediate family - myself, my wife, and my darling daughter from my previous marriage.

I suppose you can see what I did not. My sins against God were great, I know this. Even now I turn in the hell that was prepared for me. But no greater error did I commit than to kill my first wife, who was an adept in the forbidden mysteries of darkness. I shudder to recall the horrific tomes she kept, which I burned. But I did not destroy all of her works. The spawn of the devil came for me only two short years later. She had learned poisons, God knew how, or from whom, at her age. She watched my writhe in agony, her cold eyes drinking in my pain, soulless eyes no girl could possess. Then she ended my suffering, and threw me down to the hell she had arisen from.

In a few short years, my daughter ascended to the throne of my hard-won kingdom, every potential rival from my extended family dead. And then her reign of terror began.

But that's another story...

Crusader Kings 2 offers an unparalleled experience in strategic depth, demanding both critical thinking and constant decision-making in ways few other games do. Unlike many titles where you can simply follow a fixed progression, Crusader Kings 2 is a dynamic, ever-evolving narrative. Every character is defined by a complex web of traits, ambitions, and relationships, and as a player, it’s your job to navigate their paths—whether through careful diplomacy, ruthless ambition, or sheer survival.

The game’s brilliance lies in how traits shape not only the individual but also the destiny of entire dynasties. One decision can set a ruler on a course that will affect generations to come, while another can unravel everything you’ve built. A powerful monarch might rule for decades, but a single illness or an unforeseen betrayal can reduce even the mightiest king or sultan to a puppet in the hands of fate. You might find yourself suddenly succeeded by a seemingly insignificant heir, like a homosexual daughter who, by the game's laws, might face opposition from powerful factions within your realm. The succession could be a disaster or an opportunity, depending on how you choose to play your cards.

If you come into Crusader Kings 2 thinking that it’s a game where you can simply pursue your personal ambitions unchecked, you’re mistaken. It’s not a title where you can just “win” by brute force or sticking to a single goal. Crusader Kings 2 is a game of survival, with every decision carrying the weight of potential consequences. The fate of your dynasty is rarely in your hands alone, and failure can come swiftly, often not from your own actions but from the shifting tides of the game’s internal politics. You must always be ready for the unexpected, whether it’s a deadly illness, a rebellious vassal, or a foreign invasion that leaves your kingdom in tatters.

This is a perishing game, where absolute dedication, patience, and discipline are required if you’re to navigate its unforgiving challenges. Your ambition may lead to great achievements, or it may see you undone by forces beyond your control. But above all, Crusader Kings 2 challenges you to aim for greatness—and to accept that greatness is fleeting. You’ll either die trying to achieve it, or die because you didn’t adapt quickly enough.

So I challenge you: strive for greatness, adapt to the shifting currents of power, and leave a legacy—or perish in the attempt.

Final Rating: 9/10

Introduction

Crusader Kings II, developed by Paradox Interactive, is a grand strategy game set in the medieval era, where players control a noble dynasty rather than a nation. The game emphasizes political intrigue, dynastic management, and the complexities of medieval rule, offering a deep and complex experience focused on expanding your family's power through warfare, diplomacy, and cunning. It became a cult classic and remains one of Paradox’s most celebrated titles, known for its intricate gameplay and player-driven narratives.

Gameplay and Mechanics

Crusader Kings II is about managing a dynasty rather than just a kingdom. Players start as a ruler with a defined title—king, duke, or count—and must navigate a world filled with political alliances, wars, and religious conflicts. The game’s focus is on building a legacy, using marriages, alliances, and tactical decisions to ensure your dynasty thrives across generations.

The game offers a vast map covering Europe, the Middle East, and parts of Africa and Asia, filled with hundreds of characters, each with unique traits and ambitions. The character-driven gameplay is the core of Crusader Kings II, where players must balance the desires of their vassals, heirs, and rivals, while managing diplomacy, religion, and military campaigns.

Dynasty and Character Management

The heart of the game lies in managing your family and heirs. Players must secure alliances through marriage, manage inheritances, and ensure a stable line of succession. Intrigue plays a major role, with options to plot assassinations, manipulate court members, and navigate complex family dynamics.

Every character in the game has unique traits, which influence their behavior and decisions. Players must work with or against these personalities, making strategic decisions that can lead to either the expansion or collapse of their dynasty. The role-playing elements are strong, offering a personalized experience as players craft their own stories of betrayal, romance, and conquest.

Expansion Packs and DLC

Paradox Interactive supported Crusader Kings II with numerous expansions, significantly enhancing the base game. DLCs like The Old Gods, Legacy of Rome, and The Republic added new mechanics, playable religions, and expanded time periods, enriching the gameplay experience. While the extensive DLC model adds depth, the cost can be overwhelming, making it challenging for new players to access the full experience without purchasing multiple expansions.

Graphics and Sound

The visuals of Crusader Kings II are functional, focusing on a detailed map and character portraits rather than flashy graphics. The game’s art style is clean and effective, providing a clear view of territories, armies, and political boundaries. Character portraits are dynamic, changing with age and traits, adding a personal touch to the game.

The soundtrack, composed by Andreas Waldetoft, is atmospheric and fitting, with medieval-inspired music that enhances the immersion. The sound effects, while minimal, complement the game’s strategic focus without becoming intrusive.

Replayability and Community

Crusader Kings II offers immense replayability, with countless starting scenarios and the freedom to play as nearly any ruler on the map. The game’s emergent storytelling and dynamic political landscape ensure that no two playthroughs are the same. The strong modding community has also created popular mods like Game of Thrones and After the End, adding new content and scenarios that extend the game’s life.

Difficulty and Learning Curve

The game’s complexity is both a strength and a barrier. The deep mechanics and layered systems can be intimidating for newcomers, requiring patience and a willingness to learn. However, for those who invest the time, the strategic depth and storytelling potential offer a uniquely rewarding experience.

Conclusion

Crusader Kings II is a masterful grand strategy game that combines political intrigue, dynastic management, and player-driven narratives. Its complex mechanics, character-driven gameplay, and deep role-playing elements make it a standout title in the strategy genre. While the steep learning curve and extensive DLC model may be daunting for some, the game’s depth and replayability make it a must-play for fans of grand strategy and historical simulations.

Pros:
- Deep, character-driven gameplay with emergent storytelling.
- Rich political and dynastic management mechanics.
- High replayability with diverse starting scenarios.
- Strong modding community enhances content and variety.

Cons:
- Steep learning curve may be challenging for new players.
- Extensive DLC model can be costly.
- Visuals are functional but lack modern polish.

Final Rating: 9/10

Crusader Kings II is a genre-defining grand strategy game that offers a unique blend of historical simulation and role-playing. Its intricate mechanics and engaging narratives make it a timeless classic, well worth playing for those who enjoy deep, strategic experiences.

I use to love this game but is absolutely broken now. I loose every battle even though my Army General has a rating 10 plus higher than the opposing general and I have twice the number of troops. Then about three generations later one of my shit brothers comes along with a host of troops and nails me.... game over. This exact ending has happened the first and last 2 times I started playing again. Off you fuck into the never be played again shit tin.