Crusader Kings III

 PC
User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 712 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 586 out of 712
  2. Mixed: 71 out of 712
  3. Negative: 55 out of 712

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  1. MaXiMuS_54
    Sep 2, 2020
    8
    The game provides a lot more streamlined stable experience and the game runs very smooth, you can go very fast on 5 speed. Some mechanics were made a lot easier like transfering titles to characters, but it still needs a long way to go to fleshing out mechanics like CK2 has. The game can be quite a mess within a 100 years and the game certainly needs polish.
  2. Aitorsito_Trump
    Sep 6, 2020
    8
    La gama cromática cuenta con un amplio abánico de colores pastel además de suaves y sensuales tonalidades, apela mucho a la convicción que un servidor posee de el periodo medievo europeico. Viva el betis
  3. Renaigse
    Sep 24, 2020
    8
    потенциал у игры прям 10/10, на данный момент контента, как ни странно мало, НУЖНО БОЛЬШЕ КОНТЕНТА
  4. BLurii
    Oct 20, 2020
    8
    Impressive game, very good mechanics and surprising history, overall i think it's worth buying if you are into this types of game.
  5. PatrikPotter
    Dec 20, 2020
    8
    My personal Review for Crusader Kings III
    Story:9/10 (You and the AI`s around you make the story which is mostly different every playthrough)
    Graphics:7/10
    Music:8/10
    Gameplay:9/10
    Sound:7/10
    Crusader Kings III is a must play if you are a fan of Strategy games.
  6. YigidOx2
    Jan 31, 2021
    8
    Absolutely the best strategy game. Because, like other games, we do not use the strategy of which country to attack, but how can I better manage my dynasty.
    you are trying to do And this is definitely more fun. You cannot even understand how time passes. If you have a friend, this game is completely different. Otherwise, it may take at least 60 hours to play in completely different geographies.
  7. freenik
    Mar 25, 2021
    8
    Could be better with the AIs in the game.
    Apart from the AI everything's great. The system of traits and lifestyle is quite interesting,
  8. Cronus865
    Sep 2, 2020
    8
    Probably the best "base" game Paradox has released. It's still not near CK2, but has a really solid foundation to build on.
  9. Shatamel
    Sep 2, 2020
    8
    Awesome sequel of the great game. The main issues of the game are an awful interface and few missed features from the previous game.
  10. ArdanSortek
    Sep 12, 2020
    8
    I'm having fun so far! Improved graphics, new features, and so far I'm having fun with the "RPG" side of character focused game play. I expect Paradox to nickel and dime many of the missing features (from the previous game) by the way of DLC in the future, but I'm not even mad. As long as they deliver quality content, this is going to be worth hundreds of hours of play for me. Thumbs up!
  11. Zumbie101
    Oct 13, 2020
    8
    Notable improvements from the previous base game, a lot more consistency in your actions rather than leaving most events to % chances a year. Leaves a lot more time to simply have fun with the game rather than sitting around waiting. Will admit the game gets a bit repetative currently with no expansions however have still sunk plenty of time into it.

    Graphics are better with less    Notable improvements from the previous base game, a lot more consistency in your actions rather than leaving most events to % chances a year. Leaves a lot more time to simply have fun with the game rather than sitting around waiting. Will admit the game gets a bit repetative currently with no expansions however have still sunk plenty of time into it.

    Graphics are better with less stutterting than the previous game.    … Expand
  12. kitru
    May 23, 2021
    8
    CK2 на максималках, все то же самое но выглядит красивее.
  13. Nubells
    Nov 16, 2021
    8
    Paradox wasn't actually busy sexually harassing employees while making this game, very good!
  14. Joker77
    Apr 5, 2021
    8
    Игра близка к совершенству, и затягивает на долго. Лично мне не понравилось только ведение войн. Если это допилят, то будет супер, может и на 9 баллов потянет. Must Play я бы все таки ей недал.
  15. elefsar
    Apr 22, 2021
    8
    Playing as a medieval lord is good, mechanics are good, need to be developed and added new stuff like ck2. Better graphics of course.
  16. Bushido95
    Sep 27, 2021
    8
    CK3 одним интерфейсом может напугать геймера и я долгое время был одним из них.
    Наиграв 141ч не могу сказать, что на самом деле она простая, но разобраться в ней на самом деле не так уж сложно.
    Я как большой любитель истории и серии Total War искал ей альтернативу и CK3 оказался отличным вариантом который советую всем хотя бы попробовать и если вы разберетесь оторваться будет сложно.    CK3 одним интерфейсом может напугать геймера и я долгое время был одним из них.
    Наиграв 141ч не могу сказать, что на самом деле она простая, но разобраться в ней на самом деле не так уж сложно.
    Я как большой любитель истории и серии Total War искал ей альтернативу и CK3 оказался отличным вариантом который советую всем хотя бы попробовать и если вы разберетесь оторваться будет сложно.
  17. Yaav13
    May 9, 2022
    8
    My truthful honorable incorruptible conclusive rating of this considered game: 8.
  18. AeonsAlex
    Feb 20, 2022
    8
    Another Paradox game where you start it and 6 hours fly by without even realising. Builds on everything CK2 did right, and by the time all of it's DLC comes out, I'll have sunk another 300 hours into it.
  19. JayRuccMTL
    Sep 13, 2022
    8
    I'm new to Paradox titles and I must say out of the ones I've played, CK3 is by far my favorite.

    It has the right balance of complexity in the gameplay mechanics without being too over bearing, and the UI was purposely designed with the player in mind. I find play throughs very streamlined and dynamic, every playthrough is different and you can literally choose to play as any one of the    I'm new to Paradox titles and I must say out of the ones I've played, CK3 is by far my favorite.

    It has the right balance of complexity in the gameplay mechanics without being too over bearing, and the UI was purposely designed with the player in mind. I find play throughs very streamlined and dynamic, every playthrough is different and you can literally choose to play as any one of the characters at any given time, and there are easily 100+.    … Expand
  20. alphaking3306
    Jul 23, 2023
    8
    I have to admit, I'm a paradox fanboy. I love this game. Creating your own character, or playing as a historical one, and living out a historical rendition of a GOT style fantasy is truly an awesome experience. Ruling a feudal fiefdom and working your way up from a count to Duke, King, or Emperor is truly an amazing experience. Friendships can be formed, Love can be found, Lands can beI have to admit, I'm a paradox fanboy. I love this game. Creating your own character, or playing as a historical one, and living out a historical rendition of a GOT style fantasy is truly an awesome experience. Ruling a feudal fiefdom and working your way up from a count to Duke, King, or Emperor is truly an amazing experience. Friendships can be formed, Love can be found, Lands can be conquered, Enemies can be made, Religions can be founded, Families can be built....Incest can be....*cough* *cought*....I didn't say anything....

    Seriously though, there is so much to be done in this game, it's crazy, at least as far as RP and storytelling goes. It MAY get repetitive after several hundred hours...but honestly that's a good investment in my book. The main downsides of the game lay in it's nation-building and strategy elements. Outside of interpersonal interaction diplomacy is much more limited than in CK2, and in regards to warfare and events the game also lacks a bit of depth...but that's been improving with time. Much like CK2 did.

    Overall a great game that I highly recommended if you are a fan of Medieval strategy or general larping **** 8/10, would marry my sister-cousin-daughter-wife twice removed again.    … Expand
  21. Bandrem2
    Sep 2, 2023
    8
    i don't actually like it but it is a very good game, very complex and lots of thought put into it, multiplayer a bit buggy but doesn't take away from how good it is in singleplayer
  22. brpoconnor
    Jun 6, 2022
    7
    It's a solid 6.5-7 for me. It's a fun game, but it feels a little flat when compared to CK2. Hopefully it grows into a better game
  23. Keskin
    Sep 5, 2020
    7
    it is goodit is goodit is goodit is goodit is goodit is goodit is goodit is goodit is goodit is goodit is goodit is goodit is goodit is goodit is goodit is good
  24. AxeWould
    Jan 12, 2022
    7
    Игра реально очень годная, играю в первые в игру от Paradox-ов, и вот прям затянуло моментально на 40 часов, но проблема в том , наверное во мне, что наиграв более 70 часов, я многих механик так и не понял, справочник тут плохо сделан пришлось гуглить и искать ответы на интересующие меня вопросы. А так игра огонь, но поставлю 7 из-за того что вместо Киевской Руси, какая-то помойка сИгра реально очень годная, играю в первые в игру от Paradox-ов, и вот прям затянуло моментально на 40 часов, но проблема в том , наверное во мне, что наиграв более 70 часов, я многих механик так и не понял, справочник тут плохо сделан пришлось гуглить и искать ответы на интересующие меня вопросы. А так игра огонь, но поставлю 7 из-за того что вместо Киевской Руси, какая-то помойка с двуглавым петухом… Expand
  25. g014n
    Sep 10, 2020
    7
    It's a mediocre game and if you don't have a lot of spare time for gaming you should at least wait for the first 3 major and actual expansions before jumping in (as usual with Paradox games). But you wouldn't get that from the actual reviews. The higher scoring ones don't provide much justification, they even list problems that should prevent the reviews from giving near flawless or evenIt's a mediocre game and if you don't have a lot of spare time for gaming you should at least wait for the first 3 major and actual expansions before jumping in (as usual with Paradox games). But you wouldn't get that from the actual reviews. The higher scoring ones don't provide much justification, they even list problems that should prevent the reviews from giving near flawless or even flawless marks. In response, there are many 0-3 reviews which are just as low effort.
    ----

    There are two angles we could consider to justify a score in the middle: 1) what they achieved relative to what they attempted and 2) how this actually plays relative to the expectations that people might have about titles in this series and genre.

    And the game is mediocre, at the moment, in most regards. Every aspect of the game that I could think of has both obvious pros and cons. I would have scored it a 6 had it not been the kind of game that I was looking forward, but also I rated higher because ultimately, they haven't botched my experience at launch as they did with other recent releases. Examples now.

    Value at release is obviously a con from the perspective of expectations. CK2 had more content at release (more history and starting options) than CK3 while it has different but relatively more gameplay features. CK3 also has more optional features that enhance things like modding. It's also more stable in terms of bugs (I've been looking through negative reviews at examples of bugs and they don't make a lot of sense, my personal playthroughs were quite clean even though I played in debug_mode which is inherently less stable). People also suggest a lack of diversity of events at release - it's to be expected, but it impacts those that play it as role playing experience. From my perspective, seeking a more strategy oriented experience - the game is good enough for a casual experience, but it's also kind of repetitive. Just because they intended this and achieved it, do I rate it high? No!! I have no idea if and how many expansions will it take to fix these. HoI4 and Stellaris are still not fixed many years after release, while games like EU4 have been polished sufficiently but also ask way too much money for what it offers. Gameplay, from the perspective of content available at the moment, has big cons as well as some nice pros.

    Other misc examples to emphasize this. The UI is both a hit and a miss. Looks good, love the idea. But in CK2 (which wasn't user friendly to new players) I could accomplish what I needed easier in respect to the stuff that is also present in CK3. If newbies found that difficult, in CK3, they might not even realize that the game has more strategic depth than it really has. There are big cons even though the pros are things I emphatically approve of and would keep even with the cons. But I can't rate it high because of these facts.

    They've changed how you raise armies in the game to simplify it. For newbies, this would seem like a good idea, but it means that they might raise stacks that incur high attrition rates. For every other player, this means that the micromanagement has been changed from raising the armies to splitting the unmanageable stacks. Also, it's a strategy game, but the current system can be exploited to teleport troops between wars. There are other factors that would make sense in a strategy game but weren't considered. Hit and miss at the same time.

    The list could go on and on (and on and on and on....)

    I utterly reject the notion that we should expect less of it because it hasn't had time to develop all the content like CK2 did. We've already paid for the development of said content (history hasn't changed and that game offered a great starting point in terms of content). We're paying for a technical refresh of the series and the notion that they can piecemeal the game is something that I tax on purpose.
    -----

    It's not a compelling strategy game, it's a better casual game. It's the one aspect where it is too similar to CK2. That game could have used a more complex combat system (in the sense of involving the player more).

    The roleplaying elements are not that great at this point. It's the one aspect that I could see making this game shine in the future, but they need a lot more content and context. The UI is also getting a little in the way of this.

    *edit reason: grammar/typos.    … Expand
  26. cruccolo
    Sep 4, 2020
    7
    I have played 1500+ hours of its predecessor, Crusader Kings 2. After roughly 50 hours of CK3 I believe there is potential here. Apart from the graphical improvements, I appreciate some design choices, like the different zoom levels showing geographical/political/parchment map modes, or the autoselection of children education focus (which can be manually changed, of course). However thereI have played 1500+ hours of its predecessor, Crusader Kings 2. After roughly 50 hours of CK3 I believe there is potential here. Apart from the graphical improvements, I appreciate some design choices, like the different zoom levels showing geographical/political/parchment map modes, or the autoselection of children education focus (which can be manually changed, of course). However there are a few really annoying elements:
    - nested menus, which require unnecessary extra clicks to do everything, e.g. 6 clicks to nominate a court physician
    - popup messages, impossible to turn off, telling you every single pointless event in the game. Constant distraction.
    - insufficient character finding interface: e.g. there is no option to filter for characters that would join court    … Expand
  27. prodeathPT
    Sep 3, 2020
    7
    Its good, its an upgrade from ck2 but dumbed down in difficuilty somethings simplified like combat,boat management,intrigue and the UI arent good changes ck2 is still better in these but the rest are good changes graphics,laws,vassals, construction these changes here were better in the end i feel like its better but not that much to justify buying it for 49 euros at this times since iIts good, its an upgrade from ck2 but dumbed down in difficuilty somethings simplified like combat,boat management,intrigue and the UI arent good changes ck2 is still better in these but the rest are good changes graphics,laws,vassals, construction these changes here were better in the end i feel like its better but not that much to justify buying it for 49 euros at this times since i still have ck2 with alot of dlcs i feel like its better in a good half of things ck3 does.im a bit disappointed of ck3 some changes to dumb down stuff to bring a wider audience that might not exist because paradox games are pretty much u like it and give it time to play and learn or u dont play any paradox game its a specific audience regardless playing it was an okay experince.… Expand
  28. techfrizzy
    May 28, 2021
    7
    Big Paradox fan here.

    An amazingly made game. It is intimidating at first with everything going on. Once you get the hang of it though you'll find yourself sucked into a world of strategy that is unlike any other! I still find myself feeling surprised by the game every once and a while. Absolutely worth your time. My only complaint is how many menus and things there are on the    Big Paradox fan here.

    An amazingly made game. It is intimidating at first with everything going on. Once you get the hang of it though you'll find yourself sucked into a world of strategy that is unlike any other! I still find myself feeling surprised by the game every once and a while. Absolutely worth your time.

    My only complaint is how many menus and things there are on the screen. It just feels a bit crazy to new players but I guess that might be part of the appeal for some people? Anywho I'm just glad to have finally figured out how to understand this thing.    … Expand
  29. Talrik
    Sep 10, 2023
    7
    Not a bad game at all, however it falls a bit short given that it's supposed to be a sequel to what is currently a superior game.
  30. SaintTodd
    Sep 8, 2020
    6
    I'm not writing this review to tell anyone that all the people who love this game are wrong, only that it isn't great at everything it tries to do. What Crusader Kings 3 does well, it does VERY well. It's great at weaving emergent narrative, and that's not easy, because I can't think of another game that does it as well. But Crusader Kings is not meant to be Sims Medieval alone, it'sI'm not writing this review to tell anyone that all the people who love this game are wrong, only that it isn't great at everything it tries to do. What Crusader Kings 3 does well, it does VERY well. It's great at weaving emergent narrative, and that's not easy, because I can't think of another game that does it as well. But Crusader Kings is not meant to be Sims Medieval alone, it's supposed to be a Grand Strategy game, and it's mediocre as such, at best.
    Even the game's strength isn't perfect. In a game that focuses so heavily on intrigue, it's odd that I can see exactly what every other character in the world thinks of me.
    But the main issue is the interface, which is antiquated and awkward. It's arguably no worse that the average PC Strategy game, but that isn't saying much. A few notable issues:
    You can't move the map by left click grab and drag.
    Armies often get obscured by the info window of other armies.
    The game autopauses when you have an important decisions to make, but doesn't autopause when your castle is being seiged (which is oddly easy to not notice).

    A bit more polish and this could have been the 10/10 many others have awarded it. For me, it's a fun little diversion, but not a serious strategy game.    … Expand
  31. AllNewSuperfake
    Oct 31, 2022
    6
    Updated (-2) Instead of repairing the flaws of the game, overpriced DLC - including stuff that used to be free in the predecessor - has hit the market, and loading times as well as frequent crashes tell me that the architecture of the base game can't really hold them. Something like the autosave being highly unreliable in a game like this is simply unacceptable, and yet Paradox blames itUpdated (-2) Instead of repairing the flaws of the game, overpriced DLC - including stuff that used to be free in the predecessor - has hit the market, and loading times as well as frequent crashes tell me that the architecture of the base game can't really hold them. Something like the autosave being highly unreliable in a game like this is simply unacceptable, and yet Paradox blames it on mods even if users point out that they don't use them.

    It has all the addictive qualities of it's predecessor, and has become more accessible. The 3D models of your characters are a huge improvement and emphasize that the focus of this game is more on the roleplaying aspects than, for example, Europa Universalis.

    Even though it has it's hick-ups and is cheating a lot, the AI manages to create a dynamic world that will redefine European history every time you start over, and I will never not find the results hilarious. Observing the competition while constantly (and most of the time unsuccessfully) trying to keep your own dynasty in check will never get boring; following the lives of even the most unimportant peasants can tell wonderful stories down the path.

    The expanded religion system is the second big improvement that makes Crusader Kings 3 worth buying. The only downside to religious as well as personal traits is that the AI doesn't really roleplay at all; too many entities on the map are cheating, lying, fornicating warlords that will turn into child-murdering cannibals if you give them the chance, no matter how peaceful, calm and honest they are in theory.

    Right now there are balancing issues, especially when it comes to the AI using female characters as anything but currency in negotiating alliances, that hopefully will get addressed in future patches. Alliances itself, especially if you need them in your wars, are another thing that needs to be fixed.

    Still, as of now this is a game worth playing over and over again, and where losing is just as much fun as succeeding. Even though it's missing the long, long, LOOONG line of DLCs that CK2 had, it already feels quite complete; as a matter of fact I feel like someone cut all the fat away. At the same time there's already a promising modding community out there, so this game's future looks like a 9+.    … Expand
  32. Sir_Michael
    Sep 5, 2020
    6
    Awful interface! UI elements are scattered around the corners of the screen.
    Also looks like world map was painted with watercolors. Waiting for DLC, while playing is very uncomfortable.
    BTW, bad Russian localization!
  33. SamNY
    Sep 19, 2020
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It's not bad but in many ways it's a step down from CK2. Fix this Paradox.

    The Mayor and Bishop system is completely messed up, worse than before. Instead of making it more in depth, they've made it superficial and harder. Adding in historically incorrect rules and making it harder to search for characters. Add in the amount of bastards and you've made the game almost unplayable. I get the desire to streamline but you did it the wrong way. CK2 cared so much for its world building and you've thrown all that away.

    Also, I'm saying this as a POC, can you quit with PC nonsense too. Yes, in the modern era its appropriate, 100%. In medieval society religion was everything as was culture.
    In summation, this is a worse offering than CK2 and I hope you fix it ASAP.    … Expand
  34. vova22379
    Jun 20, 2022
    6
    ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
  35. Squaredash
    Jul 19, 2023
    6
    This game is pretty fun, especially if you’re a fan of grand strategy games, but I did not have a clue what I was doing half the time. I really did try to learn the game from guides, tutorial videos, and friends, but I couldn’t make much sense of this game and it’s mechanics. Plus it’s a huge time sink for something that feels like such a sandbox of a game.
  36. Crimson9
    Dec 21, 2022
    6
    An improvement over CK2 in every way, but it will take a few years and a few DLC and mods for it to rival CK2 with DLC and HIP.
  37. Resoul
    May 6, 2023
    6
    Not as good as CK2 there's some stuff that's better but also things that are worst and overall CK2 is better, CK2 is also way way way more newcomer friendly in fact CK2 is the most newcomer friendly out of all paradox games CK3 on the other hand loses a lot of that newcomer friendliness of CK2 one of the big reasons for this is that they moved the main part of the Ui from the top left toNot as good as CK2 there's some stuff that's better but also things that are worst and overall CK2 is better, CK2 is also way way way more newcomer friendly in fact CK2 is the most newcomer friendly out of all paradox games CK3 on the other hand loses a lot of that newcomer friendliness of CK2 one of the big reasons for this is that they moved the main part of the Ui from the top left to the right top and sadly i don't think there's a mod to move it back to the top left like it is in CK2 and this might not sound like a big deal for new players who never played CK2 but it's just kinda painful and hard to use when it's on the right, i do like that you can make your own character tho without losing the ability to earn achievements but if you're new to crusader kings just get CK2 it's even free now meaning even if you don't like it you're not gonna waste/lose money like you might with CK3… Expand
  38. RustyJames
    Sep 6, 2020
    5
    Not the game we all expected! Lots of cons, but the worst part is UI. Maybe it will be different game after some years and tons of DLC (for $$$). CK2 is way better now.
    5/10
  39. Fana-du-jeu
    Sep 8, 2020
    5
    Le jeu est sympa , mais les combats c'est une blague on dirais une partie de loup ( tu bat un adversaire , il s'enfui , il reviens tu t'enfui etc etc ) , niveau graphismes c'est pas mal , pour l'intrigue et les histoires racontés c'est plutôt moyen , après avoir fait plusieurs parties je tombe très souvent sur les mêmes lignes de dialogue avec les mêmes choix a faire ( il y a desLe jeu est sympa , mais les combats c'est une blague on dirais une partie de loup ( tu bat un adversaire , il s'enfui , il reviens tu t'enfui etc etc ) , niveau graphismes c'est pas mal , pour l'intrigue et les histoires racontés c'est plutôt moyen , après avoir fait plusieurs parties je tombe très souvent sur les mêmes lignes de dialogue avec les mêmes choix a faire ( il y a des différence en fonctions des traits de personnalité mais quand même ) , j'aime beaucoup les jeux de stratégie et je ne vois pas ce que ce jeu a d’exceptionnelle… Expand
  40. rapha92santos
    Sep 5, 2020
    5
    let your enemy arrange a marriage with a super power kingdom, and thats it, game over. I always trIed to like the paradox games, but never really master them and not for lack of trying, they are just broken, not truly giving the gameplay a sense of improving in campaign, its always do cearting thing over and over reaching barely results that you in the end reach no where.
  41. Gorbunov2004
    Aug 12, 2021
    5
    Полная херь а не игра, Война даже сделана убого. У врага 1000 бойцов а у меня 2000 логично что я при объявлении войны должен призвать больше солдат а фиг при объявлении войны у меня 1000 а у него 2000 офигенно просто. Также власть в стране хотела захватить моя племянница я послал чтобы её убили а они начали плести интриги нафига если можно просто отправить солдата и пусть её придушит. НоПолная херь а не игра, Война даже сделана убого. У врага 1000 бойцов а у меня 2000 логично что я при объявлении войны должен призвать больше солдат а фиг при объявлении войны у меня 1000 а у него 2000 офигенно просто. Также власть в стране хотела захватить моя племянница я послал чтобы её убили а они начали плести интриги нафига если можно просто отправить солдата и пусть её придушит. Но нет эту игру же делали Paradox Interactive! Все что хорошо в этой игре это музыка и она офигенна.… Expand
  42. Molazza
    Jun 28, 2021
    5
    Good graphics, repetitive and empty gameplay. We have to pay for a lot of dlc for play a decent game.
  43. vegasdiamond
    Jul 7, 2022
    5
    Amazing. Very addictive. Soooo tired
  44. Ananisapta
    Sep 14, 2020
    4
    I have generally enjoyed strategy games and RPGs. This was billed as both but I was neither entertained nor educated. Some of the historical references were absurd, such as an outbreak of Lollardy in the 11th century, 300 years before it existed in our history. I didn't find the combat very strategic; you need to manage your army so you can be ready for conflict, and you need to beI have generally enjoyed strategy games and RPGs. This was billed as both but I was neither entertained nor educated. Some of the historical references were absurd, such as an outbreak of Lollardy in the 11th century, 300 years before it existed in our history. I didn't find the combat very strategic; you need to manage your army so you can be ready for conflict, and you need to be aggressive to have any fun at all, but when it comes down to it you have no serious strategic or tactical role to play. I managed to preserve my dynasty through a couple of generations but then a bizarre artifact of Irish politics left me with no attractive character to play. Shortly after that, the person I had nominated as my heir in the previous incarnation led an uprising against the character I was stuck with; when I ceded my title, I was told that the game was over. If I wanted to play the character I'd ceded to, I found he had become the liege of some foreigner I'd never heard of and the kingdom I worked so hard to build was fragmented and impoverished. It's a little too much gloom and doom for this season of plague and tribal politics; I'm going to find something that's more fun!… Expand
  45. jaco111
    Sep 12, 2020
    4
    I fully understand that it cannot have the huge amount of features part 2 has with all dlc but they could have added a little bit more. At the moment it's simply not fun to play for me and the reason are a lot of different issues. While revolts were annoying in ck2 they made the game more interesting. I see some factions forming in ck3 but never had a revolt of my lords in about 40 hoursI fully understand that it cannot have the huge amount of features part 2 has with all dlc but they could have added a little bit more. At the moment it's simply not fun to play for me and the reason are a lot of different issues. While revolts were annoying in ck2 they made the game more interesting. I see some factions forming in ck3 but never had a revolt of my lords in about 40 hours game time. Filter options are missing for example for vassals having a different religion. You can scroll through the whole list checking manually and that's abetter UI? Talking about the UI do you remember the option on the character screens to disallow taking part in battles? After loosing 3 sons i found the option in army management-> knights. Several clicks and you have to remember checking it every time a son reaches adulthood, well at least you have to remember if you prefer to keep them alive. And i could continue my rant for a long time. I guess they will fix many of those problems and once there are some DLC's the game will probably also get more interesting. Hmm wanted to stop the rant but talking about DLC the first dlc package sold for 30 bucks without any information about the content , let's say i'm not impressed.… Expand
  46. georgy999
    Sep 17, 2020
    4
    I burnt up. I don’t get it - what a hell wrong with this game. Is Paradox tested it? I have a vassal limit as Emperor at 60. OK, but WTF, why mechanics is not working? "The vassal of my vassal is not my vassal"! Hello, why I create the kingdom in my Empire, grated it to the Duche, grant him de-jure duchies of kingdom and still have vassal limit point at 62/60! What a f... How it can beI burnt up. I don’t get it - what a hell wrong with this game. Is Paradox tested it? I have a vassal limit as Emperor at 60. OK, but WTF, why mechanics is not working? "The vassal of my vassal is not my vassal"! Hello, why I create the kingdom in my Empire, grated it to the Duche, grant him de-jure duchies of kingdom and still have vassal limit point at 62/60! What a f... How it can be ruined so much. Why in CK2 everything is perfectly working (maybe not from start, but I don't remember such disaster), why UI in CK2 is so much better and comfortable, why to compare the de-jure and de-facto borders of my vassal I must do 10 mouse click? I don't get it. I understand that Paradox want to produce DLCs as Sims, but what about mechanics, comfortable interface. Why in CK2 the character search icon is masterpiece and in CK3 is a joke. Where is the cool music, why is antianalyzing is so crap. CK2 was the game where children can learn history, because it was so good and fun; and this – this is the game that have 100 point from IGN, this is **** Aut Caesar, aut nihil.… Expand
  47. XBliss
    Sep 27, 2021
    4
    CK2 with improved graphics, interface and clipped content. Yes, the new CK does not have any content from Ck2's DLCs and you know what it means if you played paradox games before... For next ~5 years this game will have around 20 DLCs implementing content that already was in previous game.
  48. PenetratorGod
    Jan 17, 2023
    4
    The game is beautiful and definitely has potential, but the development process has been so terrible that I can't give it a high score. The way the production company treats their games and their players is a disgrace. The game will probably only be fully playable in 2025 or so.
  49. Quazder
    Aug 22, 2023
    4
    Got bored after 10 hours of playing it I guess my adhd is just too big to play this game
  50. LaughingSam
    Sep 19, 2020
    3
    Worried they dumbed down a lot of things from CK2? They did.
    Worried they left out years of innovations to sell them back to you? They did.
    Didn't worry that they might do something purely pants on head like make the entire world use gavelkind succession for centuries? You should have.
    But now with playing dress-up!
  51. AlexBBerg
    Sep 2, 2020
    3
    If this was the console version of CK2 it would be pretty good. It's not, so it isn't. Cut content and bad UI. Might be good in 2-3 years, but they are gonna milk this for sooooo much DLC.
  52. achmedino
    Sep 3, 2020
    3
    You will basically be paying more money for a game with less content than Ck2. There are currently only two gameplay styles - feudal and tribal - and these play the same all over the map with only slight differences in religion. You're better off spending your money on DLC for ck2, and play that for 1000 hours than buying this and playing it for 50 hours, just to enjoy the new UI and theYou will basically be paying more money for a game with less content than Ck2. There are currently only two gameplay styles - feudal and tribal - and these play the same all over the map with only slight differences in religion. You're better off spending your money on DLC for ck2, and play that for 1000 hours than buying this and playing it for 50 hours, just to enjoy the new UI and the couple of added features that ck2 doesn't have.… Expand
  53. SebastiedJuan
    Mar 3, 2022
    3
    Nice bubble simulator
    They create a great game, potentially AMAZING and an history masterpiece around the stupid basic idea of a common MAP PAINTER.
    If they can fix this in futures Dlc (making hard way to conquer the world, make this impossoble with a lot of mecanism that they can put in, and focusing more on the rest of the expirience) the game can ideally easly get a 9,5 because yes,    Nice bubble simulator
    They create a great game, potentially AMAZING and an history masterpiece around the stupid basic idea of a common MAP PAINTER.
    If they can fix this in futures Dlc (making hard way to conquer the world, make this impossoble with a lot of mecanism that they can put in, and focusing more on the rest of the expirience) the game can ideally easly get a 9,5 because yes, this game can really be a total giant masterpiece, but it is not, for that reasons.
    I.a. totally broken and is a shame for a strategik games. Game deserve a 6 or a 7 but i give 0 cause reviews are unfairs.    … Expand
  54. DickPain
    Jan 1, 2022
    2
    This game is an unrewarding chore interspersed by occasionally interesting fragments of written text. Whether I owed a county, or a duchy, the game is pretty much the same. Children are born. Marriages happen. And players continue having to scrutinise the similar stat lines of hundreds of NPCs.
  55. RBH1
    Sep 29, 2020
    2
    the game feels like it's written and designed by and for social justice warrior.... this ain't crusader king, it's social justice warrior king.
  56. taurus4901
    Sep 2, 2020
    2
    One of the most disappointing games for me, after dumping in 1.6k hours in Ck2, 600 hours in EUIV and 300 hours in Vicky 2, this and imperator really left a bitter taste in my mouth. The game is dumbed down to an unbelievable extent. There are not enugh map modes, no economic mapmode or no direct vassals mapmode, what the hell were they thinking, character finder doesn't have a would joinOne of the most disappointing games for me, after dumping in 1.6k hours in Ck2, 600 hours in EUIV and 300 hours in Vicky 2, this and imperator really left a bitter taste in my mouth. The game is dumbed down to an unbelievable extent. There are not enugh map modes, no economic mapmode or no direct vassals mapmode, what the hell were they thinking, character finder doesn't have a would join court option, can't wait for these to be added in later as DLCs. Armies are a joke, they weren't that complex in ck2 either, but they did the trick, here they're a complete joke, no more left flank,center and right flank commander based on their traits as such you just put one dude with high martial and you're good to go, yet another proof of them dumbing down the game to make it more and more casual to try and appeal to the mythical wider audience. Navies are gone, that's right. We're back to the absolute whack system in CK1, where the army of a large landlocked empire can just pull a fleet out of their asses, sure the CK2 system had some flaws regarding fleets, but atleast there was some plannign around it in early game.This feels like a massive opportunity for them to throw in row men row dlc. Remember when paradox used to throw shade at civilization and Rome 2 total war for having soldiers that turn into ships, oh how the mighty have fallen. Actually speaking of which this feels like a really bad rip off of civilization merged with sims and a bit of previous titles from paradox, literally the worst of all them. I found the music extremly boring and generic and got tired of it really fast (2 hours of playtime to be more exact). The interface looks boring and bland and it's a complete pain in the ass to navigate through, with subemenus hidden inside submenus and such as opposed to CK2, where you just had all the menus displayed on the main screen. The keybindings for map modes, yet another thing that you can't change it's annoying as hell, in CK2 they were all keybound to q,w,e,r,t,y in the order they were displayed, now it's an absolute **** there, and you will have an easier time just clicking on them. All in all terrible experience for any veteran player of grand strategies around here. Avoid this all together, get the original CK2 for free and spend the rest of your money on dlcs, it's a much better deal.
    Also another, note: This piece of **** shouldn't have been made in the first place, when the original ck2 was still perfectly functional and up to date, how about that god damn victoria 3, paradox? But unfortunately, paradox seems to follow ea's bussiness model with sims. Milk the hell out of a game for years and years, then release a new game that's only a minor graphical upgrade while being barebones in any other category.
    Terrible experience once again, worse than march of the eagles or imperator. Everythign that made the predecessor fun has been sacrificed on the alter of accessibility for the casual player, who'll buy this, play for 6 or 8 hours or so and then quit never to touch it again    … Expand
  57. enki666
    Sep 3, 2020
    2
    Literally disappointed.
    I used to play CK2 earlier and it was my favourite paradox game because it’s an rpg with ruler role-pool. Now about this game. Tutorial was very exciting: new lifestyle system and traits, new intrigue mechanics, and new visuals of titles on map, like baronies areas on map, and ofc new confessional reforms and amount of religions and confessions... These things    Literally disappointed.
    I used to play CK2 earlier and it was my favourite paradox game because it’s an rpg with ruler role-pool. Now about this game. Tutorial was very exciting: new lifestyle system and traits, new intrigue mechanics, and new visuals of titles on map, like baronies areas on map, and ofc new confessional reforms and amount of religions and confessions... These things turned out to be unnecessary! You have no motivation for changing your confession, because it just became a modifier, not more. Everything you do is just fighting with neighbours with autofleet, stupid casual battles, etc. This game literally become a synthesis of sims (mobile sims with no gameplay that just posing on a named pc game moneysucker) and civilisation. It is not a crusader kings 3. It is a game, that looks like crusader kings, named “crusader kings” and trying to show us a lot of gameplay features, that literally made of cardboard. Very sad, that paradox became default publisher of casual games, pretending to be a heir of CK series. Very bad, dcl wont help.    … Expand
  58. max_gradient
    Aug 3, 2023
    1
    Can't recommend in this state at this price.

    * Too much focus on RPG part of the game (frequent random events that get repetitive/annoying very quickly) instead of the mechanics. Many parts of the game could use new/deeper mechanics (HRE, papacy, crusades, diplomacy, republics etc.). Unfortunately the DLC seems to focus on even more RPG events instead of core game mechanics. * Game    Can't recommend in this state at this price.

    * Too much focus on RPG part of the game (frequent random events that get repetitive/annoying very quickly) instead of the mechanics. Many parts of the game could use new/deeper mechanics (HRE, papacy, crusades, diplomacy, republics etc.). Unfortunately the DLC seems to focus on even more RPG events instead of core game mechanics.

    * Game too easy overall. Limitless aggressive expansion is possible. Intrigue is too powerful.

    * Bad UI, even by Paradox standards. The new map lacks many important viewmodes that were essential in CK2, and requires you to zoom in/out constantly to finally fade in the content you need (armies, counties etc. - but at the same time you get useless terrain features, snow effects etc.). This requires constant use of the mouse wheel, which makes for very poor ergonomics. UI Scaling beyond 130 % not possible without losing content, making text too small on UHD displays.    … Expand
  59. arnold73
    Mar 19, 2022
    1
    di più non si può senza neanche i sub ita, andate va ...avete messo 200 lingue , ma l'italiano niente
  60. Pashu1289
    Aug 30, 2021
    1
    Potentially good game but no Ukrainian language. If dont speak English well - dont bye it, there is a LOT text in the game.
  61. Screammer
    Sep 2, 2020
    1
    This game cannot be called historical, the authors allow themselves to simply take and destroy one of the greatest countries of the Middle Ages, Kievan Rus and insert in its place a misunderstanding that Russia did not exist in 1066 AD, the Russian Empire appeared only in 1721 AD. The authors do not read history and do everything only with an eye to where there is more market for the saleThis game cannot be called historical, the authors allow themselves to simply take and destroy one of the greatest countries of the Middle Ages, Kievan Rus and insert in its place a misunderstanding that Russia did not exist in 1066 AD, the Russian Empire appeared only in 1721 AD. The authors do not read history and do everything only with an eye to where there is more market for the sale of this pseudo-historical game. It's a shame for such a big game.
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kievan_Rus%27    … Expand
  62. otto500206
    Nov 14, 2020
    1
    This game is not better than it's predecessor, because of the big amount of cut things and the big amount of dumbing down. 2 government types(nomads and merchant republics), the old levy raising system, bloodlines. artifacts and more things that I didn't wrote to here is cut. And we have just 2 two things against that in CK3: lifestyle and a legacies system.

    The game looks great, but    This game is not better than it's predecessor, because of the big amount of cut things and the big amount of dumbing down. 2 government types(nomads and merchant republics), the old levy raising system, bloodlines. artifacts and more things that I didn't wrote to here is cut. And we have just 2 two things against that in CK3: lifestyle and a legacies system.

    The game looks great, but should we really care about graphics this much on a strategy game like this?    … Expand
  63. Ezner
    Nov 14, 2020
    0
    I can't remember the last time I was in such strong disagreement with the reviews for a game. I'm new to the series but a big fan of the genre. I love games with complexity and nuance. I love games that make you yearn for "one more turn."

    But Crusader Kings 3 - ain't it. The game is completely incomprehensible. I have started and restarted the "recommended start" level about 40 times,    I can't remember the last time I was in such strong disagreement with the reviews for a game. I'm new to the series but a big fan of the genre. I love games with complexity and nuance. I love games that make you yearn for "one more turn."

    But Crusader Kings 3 - ain't it. The game is completely incomprehensible. I have started and restarted the "recommended start" level about 40 times, and have quit in frustration about 40 times, as various nonsense random events ruin my game start just about every time. Coupled with the fact that you can't choose your starting skill tree means I had to start and restart the game multiple times to get the starting character I actually wanted. I have never reviewed a video game before in my 32 years on this earth but I had to come here and warn others about this. Do not waste the $60!    … Expand
  64. TreborYelam
    Sep 4, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Turn on debug mode. You aren't actually playing as your own children. They took the seduction problems of CK2, ramped them up to x10, and removed the option to disable AI seduction. If you want your immersion wrecked, literally just turn on debug mode and check. No one in your family tree is actually yours, literally almost every single character and AI is getting cucked.

    Ruined the fun for me. I'm spoiler tagging this so that innocents don't have to see it and get their immersion broken.    … Expand
  65. Adast_Adamov
    Sep 13, 2020
    0
    I can't condone Russian revisionism of history in any form. Kievan Rus and Russia are not the same thing.
  66. IKamin
    Feb 18, 2021
    0
    The game is great, but... The Tsardom of Russia (predecessor state to the Russian Empire) historically wasn't formed until 1547. It is not historically accurate to name Kievan Rus this way.
  67. Kadirov
    Jan 4, 2021
    0
    Каким-то образом это "чудо" получило 4 место в списке лучших игр за 2020. А всё потому, что у этой, кхм, игры всего 300 отзывов и она никому не интересна кроме узкого круга задротов, что всегда наставят ей десятки. в отличие от того же Киберпанка, с его несколькими тысячами, что интересен более нормальной аудитории и соберет отзывы от более широких масс.Каким-то образом это "чудо" получило 4 место в списке лучших игр за 2020. А всё потому, что у этой, кхм, игры всего 300 отзывов и она никому не интересна кроме узкого круга задротов, что всегда наставят ей десятки. в отличие от того же Киберпанка, с его несколькими тысячами, что интересен более нормальной аудитории и соберет отзывы от более широких масс.
  68. VALTURY
    Dec 24, 2020
    0
    Historical game? Ukrainian lands (Rus`) called Russia. It`s big mistake, on CK2 all right - Ruthenia (Ukraine) - was Rus`, why in new chapter u call this land like Russia?
  69. roycc
    Sep 3, 2020
    0
    This game is basically a reskin of CK2. The only notable part about this game, compared to its predecessor, was the newly animated characters. But, since this game is lacking a ruler designer, that’s not all that much to bring home. Keep in mind this game launched with 4 DLCs, no telling how many more are to come. Typical paradox money grabbing copy & paste coding work.
  70. RetartedPersoN
    Sep 10, 2020
    0
    Unnecessary money-grab re-skinned sequel of Crusader Kings II, created by team of greedy Swedish cuck developers. Right on time to cash-in after the previous game surpassed its usefulness as a money cow to be milked with DLCs. Shameless, greedy Swedish CUCK developers announce plans to release paid DLCs months before the game is even released. Game is based on vanilla Crusader Kings IIUnnecessary money-grab re-skinned sequel of Crusader Kings II, created by team of greedy Swedish cuck developers. Right on time to cash-in after the previous game surpassed its usefulness as a money cow to be milked with DLCs. Shameless, greedy Swedish CUCK developers announce plans to release paid DLCs months before the game is even released. Game is based on vanilla Crusader Kings II without DLCs, designed to milk as much money as possible in the next years. New features include worse UI, cosmetic graphical reskin, and Seduction Focus from CKII Way of Life DLC turned up to 11 so that all kids in your dynasty are the result of adultery. Also features like gender reversal mode so that women rule in Medieval times and other ahistorical nonsense by this Swedish cucked developer.… Expand
  71. duduoliveira
    Sep 4, 2020
    0
    recomendo todo mundo jogar o jogo esta muito mais simples que o CK2 e muito mais bonito
  72. Strategydrocher
    Sep 6, 2020
    0
    Игра класс но в ней не хватает пока длс и как во 2 части общества (войны маги монахи и учёные)
  73. sanyaverni100
    Sep 6, 2020
    0
    Are you seriously? I understand that money doesn't smell, and the russian market is big, but why rewrite history for this? Kievan Rus is NOT russia, it appeared long before the russian empire
  74. PluToxin
    Sep 6, 2020
    0
    I don't understand how this game is good. I have been playing the tutorial for 3 days and never left Ireland. This game is basically a marriage simulator with no win condition. I arranged more marriages than I did anything else (fight battles, own holdings, expand territory). Also, the Holy Roman Empire and the Byzantine Empire just tap dance all across the map and conquer everything. I'dI don't understand how this game is good. I have been playing the tutorial for 3 days and never left Ireland. This game is basically a marriage simulator with no win condition. I arranged more marriages than I did anything else (fight battles, own holdings, expand territory). Also, the Holy Roman Empire and the Byzantine Empire just tap dance all across the map and conquer everything. I'd rather play Stellaris where I can actually do something. Civ is more fun than this game. 0/10 would not play again.… Expand
  75. Serkumflex
    Feb 12, 2021
    0
    This is a kind of humiliation. Historical inaccuracy about the Russian Empire, which was formed only in 1721, while the game itself lasts until 1453, okay (((
    As for the game itself, it is not bad, it lasted more than one day, but such discrimination and unwillingness to at least google what happened when and how, reflects all the desire to make a more positive assessment.
  76. somedevsaregood
    May 1, 2022
    0
    This game is total **** **** you **** eaters that think this game is good.
    Your all full of **** for like this game being sold for $60.
  77. Mr_Master13
    Dec 19, 2021
    0
    Your product is really great, but finally rename Russia to Rus. Russia is not successor of Rus!
  78. Hooman98
    Mar 15, 2022
    0
    First of all, game is absolutely stunning and I really love it! Just one thing that I wish was different is giving random stats to rullers in beggning of every new games, I played Gilan and Saffarids empire, everytime in the start of new ones your rullers have new stats which effects your entire game! sometimes your ruller is stronger and sometimes weaker depends on your chance by the wayFirst of all, game is absolutely stunning and I really love it! Just one thing that I wish was different is giving random stats to rullers in beggning of every new games, I played Gilan and Saffarids empire, everytime in the start of new ones your rullers have new stats which effects your entire game! sometimes your ruller is stronger and sometimes weaker depends on your chance by the way score is 10!… Expand
  79. Procrustes
    May 15, 2023
    0
    I am tired with paradox selling me unfinished products released on different overpriced DLC stages in order to milk my wallet for the years to come. Thus they deserve a 0 for being anticonsumer and predatory.
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Awards & Rankings

4
#4 Best PC Game of 2020
28
#28 Most Discussed PC Game of 2020

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
91

Universal acclaim - based on 61 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 61 out of 61
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 61
  3. Negative: 0 out of 61
  1. Softpedia
    Feb 16, 2022
    90
    Crusader Kings III has good mechanics and production but what sets it apart is the way it connects to the era it depicts. The experience leans into role-playing and personalities in a way that feels true to the image that most players have about the period between 867 to 1453. Without striving to be educational, the Paradox title also manages to be an excellent jumping-off point to learn more about the period, its main characters, its social dynamics. The development studio has also done well when it comes to post-launch support. There’s downloadable content, of course, but free patches have also arrived regularly, improving systems and eliminating bugs. But more work is needed both in the balance and the immersion department. Crusader Kings III is an excellent way to tell and enjoy stories and I can’t wait to experience how Paradox will add depth to its various mechanics.
    Read full review
  2. CD-Action
    Nov 16, 2020
    90
    A worthy successor to Crusader Kings II. Right now, it is not as deep and demanding as its predecessor with all its expansions installed, but it still is an excellent strategy game. For newcomers it’s a great way to dive into the world of crowned tyrants, treacherous vassals, unfaithful wives, and inconvenient babies strangled in their cradles. [11/2020, p.56]
  3. Game World Navigator Magazine
    Oct 21, 2020
    92
    Crusader Kings III is definitely a success. The developers made a huge self-evolving world where the players can do as they please. It’s unrivaled both in scale and level of detail. [Issue#248, p.68]
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