izigame.me

Short review

Like its predecessors, Crusader Kings III is built on a principle accessible to all: at the heart of a kingdom, the player's objective is to make their dynasty thrive, generation after generation, making it more illustrious and powerful. The disappearance of the dynasty in total obscurity means the end of the game. On paper, as you may have understood, the idea is quite simple to grasp. The issue, however, is that the franchise has never been a symbol of aesthetics and accessibility. The content is so colossal that it has left many in the dust, much like knights departing on a crusade and being defeated in the midst of a desert. Not to mention the interface, as austere as possible, which has driven away even the most determined players. Tackling this third installment, game designer Henrik Fåhraeus and his team knew they had to provide more significant contextual assistance and clearer guides. In this regard, Crusader Kings III takes a softer approach than its predecessor by offering a real tutorial this time, allowing even novices to grasp the basics and fully dive into managing their lineage.
Crusader Kings III, a colossal medieval sandbox, has no equivalent. With incredible depth, the new gem from the Swedish developers at Paradox takes strategy and RPG to new heights. Aside from occasionally wayward artificial intelligence and a DLC policy that won't please everyone, this installment benefits from a remarkable interface, staggering content, and a much more pleasing visual approach than in the past. Each playthrough is a discovery, leading to decisions that are sometimes unexpected. For the first time, the series features a tutorial and numerous contextual guides, opening it up to a much broader audience. Without denying its origins, Crusader Kings III elevates the franchise to new heights and deserves my applause. Truly remarkable.

Long review

The tutorial is set in 1066, in the southern part of beautiful and sweet Ireland. Murchad of Brain, Duke of Munster, aspires to restore the reputation of a kingdom in decline. Between love affairs, family matters, diplomatic relations, treaties, betrayals, and plots, the burden of a throne never seemed so heavy. To establish and make his lineage prosper, the player must learn to weigh each decision, and that's precisely what the tutorial, with its explanatory guides, aims to convey. Crusader Kings III highlights an immense number of parameters that can be divided into several major segments. First, there is family management, taking into account love stories, marriages (arranged or not), the education of children, and the missions assigned to each of your relatives. Then, there is the diplomatic part and the relationships maintained with your people, allies, vassals, and neighboring or distant kingdoms. Added to this is the notion of fortification (buildings, men-at-arms, including the arrival of knights) and the formation of armies, essential for the conquest of territories. It is also impossible not to mention the significantly enhanced RPG aspect (thanks to a system of personality traits and a clever skill tree system inherited from the Way of Life expansion of Crusader Kings II) or the religion mechanic, derived from the Holy Fury add-on, which makes its return in an improved version. Each character has their own personality, opinions, and it is essential to surround yourself with loyal followers and advisors working towards the same goals. Finally, one must face a succession of random events (disease, etc.). It quickly becomes apparent that the longevity of the dynasty, which involves agonizing decisions, goes hand in hand with daily difficulties. Failing to keep an eye on power and its surroundings is a sure way to be annihilated. And this leads to difficult choices, such as getting rid of an intrusive advisor or even one of your children spreading false rumors and tarnishing your reputation. Thanks to tutorial, you can glimpse the richness of the game, but they are only a timid preview of what truly awaits you.
Crusader Kings III offers a playing field that stretches from Europe to Africa and all the way to Asia. After selecting the desired era (9th or 11th century), all that remains is to choose the character to embody. Depending on the title of the said character (count, duke, king, emperor...), the beginnings will be more or less challenging. Paradox Interactive's creation is undeniably time-consuming and demands hours of governance to grasp all the ins and outs of a playthrough. Every event, whether familial or diplomatic, will have an impact on the ruler's stress gauge. Physical and personality traits must be considered to avoid situations that affect the ruler's mental state. For example, if the ruler is shy, it is preferable to avoid large crowds. Each playthrough is a discovery, and you must adapt to each of the individuals taking the throne (and those surrounding it). Some will be better at combat, others will be more strategic, while some will delegate excessively. What is exceptional is managing a playthrough for several hours only to find yourself in a ludicrous situation due to a misjudgment (an imprisonment, an assassination, a plot, a wounded soldier holding a grudge, a vassal you've sent away...). In this title, nothing is predetermined; the foundations are there, but no one can anticipate the events to come. And that is undoubtedly the great strength of Crusader Kings III, even if, through experimentation, you will eventually discern certain AI routines.
No more endless menus and the slightly cluttered appearance of the second game of the series! In contrast to its predecessor, Crusader Kings III aims to be much more pleasant, modern, and streamlined. The visual leap is considerable, thanks to a superb map, a completely revamped interface, and a myriad of contextual frames that seamlessly fit into the game's new approach. It's not uncommon to be confronted by an event that imposes a crucial choice, and there's no longer the feeling of being drowned in a cascade of menus with imperfect ergonomics. Crusader Kings III has been polished, refined, and meticulously thought out in every detail. The developers have managed to preserve the richness of the series while 'compacting' everything into menus of great clarity. While some shortcuts would be welcome, it's evident that one no longer gets lost, and all information is accessible thanks to cleverly placed icons. In terms of interface, Paradox Interactive's title is simply a case study, and one can easily imagine the time it took for those involved to achieve this result. The introduction of 3D portraits is a welcome addition, with decent modeling and graphical details that will satisfy fans of the franchise. The musical aspect is also a success with good themes.
Crusader Kings II held its throne for eight years. During these eight years, Paradox developers literally inundated the community with multiple DLCs, each addressing a specific theme (management of a different religions, map expansion, incarnation of a historical character, etc.). There is, therefore, a strong likelihood, especially after experiencing Crusader Kings III, that the same will be true for this installment. This DLC policy is sometimes felt during gameplay, as if certain elements were less integrated than others. While the novelties are numerous, it is nevertheless noticeable that certain aspects of the title are less developed than before (or downright absent). For example, the battles could have been more spectacular. I also think about the management of epidemics (Syphilis, Black Death...). It is evident that the game will gain content with expansions coming in the coming months and years. The studio, through Henrik Fåhraeus, has clarified that the add-ons will be less numerous than before and will be denser. For now, fans of wargames with a touch of RPG can rest assured: there is plenty to do with this splendid episode!