Is it still worth the effort to learn Crusader Kings I?

[paulo_2_5]

I just downloaded this game because I loved Crusader Kings II and wanted to give the original CK a try. (It was also really cheap and with 75% discount so I couldn't resist). When I started playing, though, I immediatly noticed it was waay unfriendlier than Crusader Kings II was to me (something I kinda expected because it was older and stuff).

So I actually don't know if it's actually worth the effort to keep playing this or if Crusader Kings II is superior in every aspect. Is there people still playing the game? Is there enough content online for beginners (one of the most helpful assets when I tried to grasp CK2)?

 

[Will Steel]

This game has a lot, lot more 'medieval' feel and flavour to it than CK2 if you are playing a western European. It is also harder in many aspects.

And then there are some major differences like your vassals can refuse to join your wars, you can influence population balance of a province with various effects, you have a proper tax system etc. Mongols in this game are a really scary and near-unbeatable doom and usually mean end of the game. The diseases are really deadly and even small ones can kill your character.

The friendship/rivalry system works a bit differently from CK2, in my opinion this one is better since it has actual events related to that. Also, tech tree is really flavourful - instead of a plain linear tech system like CK2, here you have plate armours, chainmails armours, crossbows, farming tools, theological discoveries etc. being researched.

It is best to keep them both in my opinion. Only the UI can be a bit difficult to adapt to for new players, and the lack of some innovations can be hard to take in. But it is a great game by itself.

I play CK2 usually, but when I want something really dark and bloody and full of immersion and flavour, I play CK1.

 

[Aardvark Bellay]

Agree with Will Steel, though i'd like to add that the medieval feel gets better with mods and to take care of the sound (especially the COA click and catapult sounds)
i use the mod IamWhoa's SFX 1.0.

 

[Mr. Charisma22]

I would say yes, I really enjoy the original game and do occasionally play it still. Like stated above, the medieval feel is much better in the original.

 

[tului]

CK got handed to me on a DVD(legit copy, just no box, sleeve or instructions) because "You're the only person I know who might like this game". 8 years laters still playing Pox games.
That said, I do not still play it. I can see what others say here about it's pros but overall it's just too painful in the cons section to bother.

 

[Olaus Petrus]

I bought CKI the day when it was first published and I played it whole lot back in the day, but to be honest I haven't played it more than couple of games after CKII was published. While I loved CKI and it did some things better (like it's building system) than CKII, it was a deeply flawed game which was broken in many ways. CKII offers more balanced overall experience. For a new player it might have some curiosity value, but besides nostalgia I can't think of any reason why I should play this instead of CKII.