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. 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.
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. PR9Gaming
    Aug 12, 2023
    9
    Great because it's more of an rpg featuring your character than a 4X game. The major issue with it has always been the ai as you couldn't win crusades without insane effort AND luck, though that seems to have been addressed in recent expansions/patches. Its paradox so they still charge way too much for DLC, so just buy em on sale or from a key site.
  5. 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
  6. thethethe4
    Jul 25, 2023
    10
    Crusader Kings 3 improves upon its predecessor in every way possible, there is a lot more content in the base game than there is in CK2. There is still plenty locked behind pay walls but it's not as bad as it is in CK2 or other paradox games. The map and graphics have also greatly improved and you can now actually see an animated version of characters. You can also design your ownCrusader Kings 3 improves upon its predecessor in every way possible, there is a lot more content in the base game than there is in CK2. There is still plenty locked behind pay walls but it's not as bad as it is in CK2 or other paradox games. The map and graphics have also greatly improved and you can now actually see an animated version of characters. You can also design your own character now with a detailed new system that allows you to edit the physical features of characters as well as their traits. The UI in CK3 has also seen huge improvement when compared to CK2, you can actually find what you want. CK3 allows you a lot of freedom in how to deal with threats and at times it resembles a RP game because of how deep your dynasties story can become and because of that I would highly recommend purchasing this game.… Expand
  7. 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
  8. 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.
  9. kashlewin
    Jul 15, 2023
    9
    In my option, one of the best strategy game of all time. Re playability is great, in game wiki is awesome and really clear, graphs are good, achievements are diversified, DLCs are somewhat interesting (some beeing completely useless for their price, but mostly are a great adidition). I give it a 9 because the game gets really slow when you conquer a big part of the map, performances couldIn my option, one of the best strategy game of all time. Re playability is great, in game wiki is awesome and really clear, graphs are good, achievements are diversified, DLCs are somewhat interesting (some beeing completely useless for their price, but mostly are a great adidition). I give it a 9 because the game gets really slow when you conquer a big part of the map, performances could maybe get better. If you like strategy game, definitly try it out.… Expand
  10. Dimocracy
    Jul 6, 2023
    10
    The best strategy game I've ever played. I really like the stories that are formed during the game with the help of artificial intelligence.
  11. FeachnoMacLir
    Jun 19, 2023
    9
    This game is great!!
    While you can conquer different realms there is huge rpg behind all the mechanics.
    First you can participate in tournaments, hold events and hunt, which upgrades your character. It feels natural and remind me about best years in DnD. Second struggle for power between your heirs. You can do a lot to help your chosen heir to ascend to throne. Third conquest. You can    This game is great!!
    While you can conquer different realms there is huge rpg behind all the mechanics.
    First you can participate in tournaments, hold events and hunt, which upgrades your character. It feels natural and remind me about best years in DnD.
    Second struggle for power between your heirs. You can do a lot to help your chosen heir to ascend to throne.
    Third conquest. You can create huge realms and even create your own empire!!
    Fourth changing your culture and upgrading your dynasty. You can get a lot of awesome bonuses from it!! And especially from merging cultures.

    I would recommend it to any rpg fan - it is more of an roleplaying game rather than strategy!    … Expand
  12. HydrophobikFish
    Jun 9, 2023
    10
    Super well realized game. It has less going on that its predecessors in terms of deep systems or simulation, but exceeds it when it comes to the personal and dynastic stories of the characters. It sells the individual fantasy of being a ruler incredibly well. Amazing if you're into history or alt-history. Has room for growth, definitely not without flaws, but the base product with DLCs isSuper well realized game. It has less going on that its predecessors in terms of deep systems or simulation, but exceeds it when it comes to the personal and dynastic stories of the characters. It sells the individual fantasy of being a ruler incredibly well. Amazing if you're into history or alt-history. Has room for growth, definitely not without flaws, but the base product with DLCs is so good it still deserves a 10 fro me… Expand
  13. dahanbeige
    Jun 8, 2023
    9
    非常好的游戏，玩起来很舒服让人一玩就停不下来，欲罢不能。
    其中的暗杀与拉拢过程做得很有特色。
    本游戏也完美体现了欧洲中世纪的“光明”，是一个模拟历史的好游戏。
  14. 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.
  15. 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
  16. TianLong1
    Mar 31, 2023
    10
    Very complex strategy game with never seen before range of options to win your way to the throne, be it through politics, conspiracy or brute force, the most challenging aspect is to manage your kingdom and maintain power. Managing one's bloodine to make sure they stay in power or undermine other clans so they get weak, there is so many layers of strategy to make sure you stay at the top,Very complex strategy game with never seen before range of options to win your way to the throne, be it through politics, conspiracy or brute force, the most challenging aspect is to manage your kingdom and maintain power. Managing one's bloodine to make sure they stay in power or undermine other clans so they get weak, there is so many layers of strategy to make sure you stay at the top, even though at some point you find the best way of doing that, there is lot of mechanics that can turn things around like your ruler having bad traits or getting assassinated, and so on.… Expand
  17. darupengodofwar
    Mar 31, 2023
    9
    A great game, I spent dozens of hours in it, my main achievement was losing to the Mongols.
  18. 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.
  19. 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.
  20. Souls2
    Nov 16, 2022
    10
    The one who had to be the true strategy Goty of 2020, the best Paradox game so far, a very deep but friendly game for learning and newcomers to this type of title.
  21. JosJim
    Nov 9, 2022
    10
    The best strategy game I've ever played in my life, the game has completely lived up to fans expectations, considering how high the bar was set by its predecessor Crussader Kings 2. Ck3 has a great variety of mechanics that will make you spend all day playing it and you will feel like you will be missing a lot more time just to finish a single game. What a great game!
  22. 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
  23. 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
  24. 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
  25. dr-kenobi
    Sep 7, 2022
    10
    The best grand strategy out there on the market. Paradox did a fantastic job. There's just so much in this game you could replay it for years to come.
  26. StarkAgentos
    Aug 1, 2022
    10
    Прошёл игру за 2 часа, играя за династию Рюриковичей и став вассалом короля Новгорода и потом потеряв все свои земли. Игра намного лучше предыдущей части, улучшены графика, интерфейс.
  27. Polthank
    Jul 23, 2022
    9
    I had not given CK2 a chance because it seemed overwhelming but I bought CK3 with a friend to encourage my desire to play it, spectacular mechanics, the game punishes you if you are stupid or make absurd decisions, excellent customization strengthened by the mods.
    Without anything else to add a complete and totally enjoyable game.
  28. vegasdiamond
    Jul 7, 2022
    5
    Amazing. Very addictive. Soooo tired
  29. vova22379
    Jun 20, 2022
    6
    ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
  30. HumG
    Jun 15, 2022
    10
    A masterful symphony of a game that is much simpler and easier to get into than ck2, while still retaining the general feeling from ck2. You could play the exact same ruler, with the exact same scenario a hundred times and have it still be different each time. The graphics have improved substantially and if you have some extra cash, you should definitely get this game, but wait for some ofA masterful symphony of a game that is much simpler and easier to get into than ck2, while still retaining the general feeling from ck2. You could play the exact same ruler, with the exact same scenario a hundred times and have it still be different each time. The graphics have improved substantially and if you have some extra cash, you should definitely get this game, but wait for some of the DLCs to go on sale, 25 dollars for the Royal Court DLC is absurd.… Expand
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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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