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. eywee
    Sep 15, 2020
    10
    the 2... just better nonsens XD
    everybody should try this game once i think
  2. 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 Some of the historical references were absurd, such as an outbreak of Lollardy in the 11th century, 300 years before it existed in our history.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 Some of the historical references were absurd, such as an outbreak of Lollardy in the 11th century, 300 years before it existed in our history.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
  3. 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.
  4. 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
  5. mishamavashi
    Sep 12, 2020
    9
    5gb game = a lot of fun and variable gameplay.
    worth its money and time. buy in steam
  6. 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!
  7. 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
  8. Karas
    Sep 10, 2020
    10
    Absolute masterpiece.
    Great tutorial, great music and interface. Fun, rewarding ... Game of the year
  9. Aorta668
    Sep 10, 2020
    10
    Great game, nice more intuitive interface. More improved gameplay compared to the second part
  10. Thilus
    Sep 10, 2020
    9
    Simply said: even with no DLCs Crusader Kings III plays like a finished product right from the start, which -- in terms of games developed by Paradox Interactive -- means that this might be the best grand strategy created by them to date.
  11. 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
  12. zytros
    Sep 9, 2020
    10
    I made an account just to say how incredible this game is coming from just Standalone compared to CK2 the difference is just- its the same game but I can't even imagine going back to CK2. CK2 is dialup and you never knew you needed modern internet. My favorite parts are the random events and the ability to uncover secrets, Characters are really fleshed out in part because of this. TheresI made an account just to say how incredible this game is coming from just Standalone compared to CK2 the difference is just- its the same game but I can't even imagine going back to CK2. CK2 is dialup and you never knew you needed modern internet. My favorite parts are the random events and the ability to uncover secrets, Characters are really fleshed out in part because of this. Theres also so many interwoven options that change the game. Such as choosing traits at the cost of stress which can lower your lifespan and have you commit ''outburts'' once you obtain a 100%. Some of the most hilarious secrets I've uncovered have been made by my Albino spymaster; the King of England is having incestuous relations with his son the bishop! Then choosing to publicly announce the sins OR blackmail them for cash or actions! They can give up territory with a strong hook lol OR be hated on by there Church affiliation and there people. It's pretty great. I expected a CK2 resale which rarely had interesting random event moments and a by comparison boring intrigue system. They did there work and its breathed in new life to a great game.… Expand
  13. BlackWidow
    Sep 9, 2020
    10
    Paradox delivered and then some. I loved CK2, and this follow up did not disappoint. It has already reached critical acclaim by many critics, and it deserves every ounce of that praise.

    A lot of things in CK3 have been improved; graphics, interface, maps, choices, music, combat, and wow, I love the new 3D character models. Awesome! The characters look almost real! Ok, BUT... the game    Paradox delivered and then some. I loved CK2, and this follow up did not disappoint. It has already reached critical acclaim by many critics, and it deserves every ounce of that praise.

    A lot of things in CK3 have been improved; graphics, interface, maps, choices, music, combat, and wow, I love the new 3D character models. Awesome! The characters look almost real!

    Ok, BUT... the game does have a few glitches here and there. Patches will fix this though. I'm also looking forward to the future DLC. Can't be released fast enough for me. lol. Any ways... Thank You Paradox for a truly EPIC game. 10/10.    … Expand
  14. 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
  15. 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
  16. Eorliga
    Sep 7, 2020
    10
    Just a perfect game. CK2 was my favorite game, maybe CK3 is my future favorite game.
  17. BOJIOTOBA
    Sep 7, 2020
    10
    Хорошая игра на старте во всех смыслах. Была проделана большая работа по адаптированию интерфейса, он стал более удобным и отражает дух времени.
  18. faonik
    Sep 7, 2020
    10
    The best sequel to Crusader Kings II, we are waiting for DLC with china and japan.
  19. 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
  20. 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
  21. 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
  22. Diethart
    Sep 6, 2020
    10
    Amazing game with tons of potential. I've spent all my vacation on this masterpiece and I have no regrets. Much love to Paradoxes.
  23. jbrock11
    Sep 6, 2020
    9
    I'll give it a 9 but it's probably more like a 7 or 8 compared to CK2. Love the graphics upgrades and it's cool to see 3D characters now but man, pretty much everything else is downgraded. Options are way more limited than what they were in CK2. I'm thinking they'll be able to fix these kinds of things in future patches and DLC that's why I give it 9 but if you're looking for a similarI'll give it a 9 but it's probably more like a 7 or 8 compared to CK2. Love the graphics upgrades and it's cool to see 3D characters now but man, pretty much everything else is downgraded. Options are way more limited than what they were in CK2. I'm thinking they'll be able to fix these kinds of things in future patches and DLC that's why I give it 9 but if you're looking for a similar experience to what you'd get out of CK2, you won't find it in CK3 ( at least not right now ).… Expand
  24. 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
  25. Socratides
    Sep 6, 2020
    10
    Crusader Kings III is much more beginner-friendly than its predecessor games. Information about anything is accessible within the game.
  26. 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)
  27. HugeyBear
    Sep 5, 2020
    9
    My first experience of Crusader Kings and after getting over the extreme learning curve, it has been a really enjoyable experience.

    The stories that are created are sublime. It’s arguably the best storytelling game out there. I just got myself in a war to secure land for my son and heir only for my husband to die mid war, derail the whole thing by pushing my stress over the edge and    My first experience of Crusader Kings and after getting over the extreme learning curve, it has been a really enjoyable experience.

    The stories that are created are sublime. It’s arguably the best storytelling game out there. I just got myself in a war to secure land for my son and heir only for my husband to die mid war, derail the whole thing by pushing my stress over the edge and giving me a mental breakdown whilst through all of this securing 1st in line succession for my son and heir by murdering the son of duchy of Lombardi and having to imprison my strongest vassals daughter for having a sexual affair with her father.

    That’s just one of so many examples of the stories that unfold. It’s a fantastic world of medieval intrigue.

    There are some quality of life improvements that I would like that would make it more accessible.

    With a few quality of life improvements this game will be and masterpiece and I’m sure it will get there with content updates. It’s very close to perfect.    … Expand
  28. Pucks
    Sep 5, 2020
    9
    After I was completely overwhelmed by the second part of the series, I really have to say that it is one of the best strategy games I have ever played. Only the business part is missing a little bit.
  29. 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.
  30. 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
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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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