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Is CK/DV worth buying now (Nov 2010)

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Dewirix

Dewirix

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Feb 6, 2010
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So I realise this forum might be somewhat biased, but I wouldn't be asking the question if I wasn't leaning towards getting it anyway.

Having just checked on GamersGate I can get CK Complete for £4.49, which seems like a bargain. I'm a relative latecomer to Paradox games (as in, bought EU3 Complete last year and have only played it, HOI3 and Victoria II), so I don't know too much about the back catalogue.

I suppose what I'm asking is if CK will repay the investment of time I'll need to put into it to get to grips with the mechanics. I have to admit that EU3 scared me to begin with as I had no idea what I had to do. To what extent is there read across between EU3 gameplay and CK? I know that CK is more personality-focused.
 
CK is really unlike any other P'dox game (or most any game, for that matter). It is far less about building a successful empire, than it is about creating a good story. In fact, one might go so far as to say it passes from strategy into role-playing.

CK isn't a very difficult game, so if you play strategy games for the challenge, you might be disappointed. However, rarely a succession will pass without some form of crisis or another, certainly enough to keep you on your toes.

Whether or not you should buy the game is really based on what you're looking for. I spent more money than you would, and I am certainly satisfied, so if you want my honest answer I would say yes, buy it.
 
Personally, I got it as a nice game to throw on my Netbook. Its power requirements are quite low, and I'm told it's fairly easy to play casually.
 
Dewirix said:
I suppose what I'm asking is if CK will repay the investment of time I'll need to put into it to get to grips with the mechanics. I have to admit that EU3 scared me to begin with as I had no idea what I had to do. To what extent is there read across between EU3 gameplay and CK? I know that CK is more personality-focused.
Click to expand...

For 5 pounds you can't really go wrong. And I am sure that once you get the hang of the interface and gameplay (and maybe add a mod or two) you'll get your value many times returned with this game.

As for that EU3 feeling (which I think anyone playing EU for the first time felt), you will have some of the same. The manual is nonexistant, and the one that is available is completely obsolete. But there are some good tutorials around (check here) and while the game is old, someone is usually around here to help with any specific questions you might have :)
 
Absolutely! I've had Crusader Kings for about three weeks, and the level of involvement in the game is higher than any of the other Paradox games I've played (EUIII, Vicky 2, Arsenal of Democracy). You aren't an abstract personification directing the nation from on high: you are King William I of England, or Duke Baudwin de Flandre, or Robert Beaumont, Count of Leicester. The game isn't about "preserving a legacy", it's about keeping your family safe and respected throughout the centuries. To me that's a much easier goal to aspire to than "FOR THE GLORY OF ENGLAND".

Besides all that, the level of detail allows you to infer relationships between the characters. In my one of my earlier de Flandre startups, the game generated an incestuous affair between my niece and nephew. I laughed at the silly bug, but as the years went on they seemed to accumulate more and more friends and rivals, until after two decades the entire court seemed to run around the relationship. The game had created a realistic and entertaining response to an unlikely event - whether by sheer fluke or by code - and that helped draw me in.

To sum up: incest is winces- wait, no, bad moral, bad moral. Buy Crusader Kings, because the characters make it come to life. Yes, that seems more appropriate.
 
Get it. It's a steal. DV makes everything better. Interface will take a day, but it's quite useable afterwards. Only thing truely lacking is the family tree.

But yes, get it. I just saw it for $5. It's the best price you'll find on that.

O and to anyone who cares, Medieval 2 Total War + Kingdoms is also up for $5. Now that's just crazy. Add Stainless Steel mod to that and your gold.

Sorry for the Off topicness.

Enjoy.
 
I just bought it two days ago. I had heard it was a good game but I'd not got around to buying it until I saw Complete on sale.

It's all I've been playing. Even after buying M2TW Gold at the same time. They dynastic gameplay and scheming is great fun. It definitely has feudal RPG elements in it.

I agree that the interface isn't as refined as many other Paradox games but it's not completely terrible. I was very glad to find that it runs on my 1680x1050 widescreen just fine with a simple settings.txt file edit.
 
Thanks for all the replies. I've gone ahead and bought it as the price is low and it seems like the sort of thing I'll enjoy.

Getting time to play may be an issue at the moment.
 
Just purchased it. I'll be playing it to see what it's about. By the way, is their any Gameplay AARs? Looking around, it seems like all of the CK AAR's are Narrative.
 
Surume said:
Just purchased it. I'll be playing it to see what it's about. By the way, is their any Gameplay AARs? Looking around, it seems like all of the CK AAR's are Narrative.
Click to expand...

Check the forum I link to in my post above ... there are some tutorial AARs, as well as some youtube vids that might help you get started.
 
Aldo said:
I am considering it myself. CKII release is not really near enough to be a factor in this decision.
Click to expand...

i would do it. i'm having a blast and it was cheap. it bumped vicky2 to the shelf.
 
Its worth it, good airplane ride game to pass the time while you dream of CKII.
 
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