Crusader Kings 2 Review (Windows PC)

The only moniker that even gets close is “Socio-Economic-Political Simulation.”  Wealth passes with death to your Heir, Prestige adds up as Heirs gain power and pass on, Piety is tracked and added in over time, and the list continues.  At one point, the King’s wife was also his Spymaster and would send messages like “Dearest Husband: it is with great regret that I must inform you of a plot to poison you.”  Children point out their aspirations such as plans to marry a Ruler, or hopes of becoming your Chancellor.  Deal with each on its own or intervene to ensure the King’s will is felt directly.

Graphics are stunning with many options to view your Kingdom, Empire, Religion, Diplomatic ties, and more.  Zoom in for a view of siege engines and Cabinet members, or zoom out and watch the numbers fly.  Like most “simulation” games there is a Time function to speed things up, and then the action really whizzes by!

This game really feels like an RTS up on a continental scale.  Players might not see all the individual Military units, but you can control technology level of numerous areas.  The only criticism is that these tech changes aren’t visceral.  They don’t feel like they do much.  RTS players are used to seeing new units, new production facilities, and different attack animations.  This game changes some taxing figure, affects some social variable, or enhances your warmongering numbers.

These aren’t max numbers, but several sections have been progressed and there just wasn’t a way to quantify the results.  Should a player focus on one major benefit, or increment each one over a longer period?  It was hard to tell what strategy made a difference.