Crusader Kings

 PC
User Score
7.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 47 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 47
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 47
  3. Negative: 6 out of 47

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  1. Zeca
    Dec 12, 2005
    8
    Innovates the EU2 gameplay by focusing on family, territory and political aspects, from a personal point of view. A pity it was released almost broken and only now, after various patches, can show its shine. Nice game.
  2. JohnnyK98
    Jun 14, 2014
    7
    This is a Mac review of Crusader Kings. Seeing as my MacBook can't run Crusader Kings II, I decided to download the first game. I was not disappointed. Crusader Kings definitely has a high learning curve, but after farting around for a handful of hours I was starting to get highly addicted. It's an epic journey as you claim territory, make friends and foes, care for your vassals andThis is a Mac review of Crusader Kings. Seeing as my MacBook can't run Crusader Kings II, I decided to download the first game. I was not disappointed. Crusader Kings definitely has a high learning curve, but after farting around for a handful of hours I was starting to get highly addicted. It's an epic journey as you claim territory, make friends and foes, care for your vassals and kingdom, practice diplomacy, etc. You can really sink your teeth into this game and have an absolute blast. Get a cup of coffee, play, and have fun on your quest. Sadly, there are a few major downsides to the Mac version which really kill the experience. The screen isn't optimized to go fullscreen so you're stuck with black bars at each end of the screen. I also had issues with the game crashing, and it happened every hour or so of playtime. Overall the game itself is a gem, WHEN it works. I can't say that these issues happen to all Mac users, but this is my experience with the game. I would've given the game a solid 9 out of 10, but the crashing and annoying low res box-screen ruins it.… Expand
  3. Yaav13
    May 9, 2022
    5
    My truthful honorable incorruptible conclusive rating of this considered game: 5.
  4. EliasOmhav
    Oct 20, 2007
    10
    Simply awesome.. It's not THAT hard to learn, people are just impatient, it takes maybe 1 hour to learn, if you really put your mind to it, and seriously this is a game that you can play for HOURS AND HOURS AND HOURS.. I know I have!

    *nolifer warning*

    My Swedish Empire will soon rule over all of Europe.. And the Arabian lands! "ONWARD YE MEN IN BLUE!"
  5. Lachliggity
    Feb 7, 2011
    8
    The only downside of this game is the graphics but if you can get past that it is one of the most epic and realistic medieval games.. You will not like this game if you do not like random events because this is pretty much 50% of the entire game..
  6. [Anonymous]
    May 6, 2004
    9
    The only grand strategy game of this period, SP is even better than EUII, don't bother with multiplayer for now... will be pure 10 after usual patches although the thing is stable ATM @1.02
  7. iseeall
    Jul 29, 2013
    6
    This looked like an interesting game at first but let's say it's for a very specific audience. I am fond of Civilization and Total War series, and even Diplomacy these are probably the closest games, but this one just concentrates on different things. On intrigues, on deciding WHO will be this or that minister. Rather than thinking on what to do with your empire you think what house toThis looked like an interesting game at first but let's say it's for a very specific audience. I am fond of Civilization and Total War series, and even Diplomacy these are probably the closest games, but this one just concentrates on different things. On intrigues, on deciding WHO will be this or that minister. Rather than thinking on what to do with your empire you think what house to marry your daughter into. You will put one of your vassals into prison but then release him instead of killing because this gives more reputation or whatever. All this kind of diplomacy and micromanaging small worthless personas (all of this is simulated in extreme detail) is just NOT FUN, at least to me. This game shows the life of a king from its dull and dirty side and this is not what you would want to see in a game or what you would want to play it for.… Expand
  8. DraganZ.
    Apr 18, 2004
    9
    Better than eu2.
  9. BoS.
    Aug 23, 2004
    1
    Although it is a very good game, there are many historical failures and faults, so I have to give it a 1.
  10. Kehaar
    Jun 7, 2014
    9
    I like that each of the Paradox titles contains the many aspects you'd expect of a grand strategy game (military campaigns, exploration, trade, industry, technologal development, politics, etc.), but that each game puts the focus on one or two of those. In Crusader Kings it is about diplomacy and keeping your family on the throne. Initially I was a bit frustrated, because it felt like II like that each of the Paradox titles contains the many aspects you'd expect of a grand strategy game (military campaigns, exploration, trade, industry, technologal development, politics, etc.), but that each game puts the focus on one or two of those. In Crusader Kings it is about diplomacy and keeping your family on the throne. Initially I was a bit frustrated, because it felt like I didn't have a lot of control to steer the game in the direction that I wanted. The more I played, the more I started to like this, actually.… Expand
  11. LesPaul
    Dec 27, 2019
    9
    This game, the predecessor to Crusader Kings II, has far superior character portraits to CKII. Released 15 years ago, I still play this now and then (CK Complete, Steam version) . Can't say this about 90% of the games I have owned, including CKII.
  12. Gorbunov2004
    Aug 9, 2021
    4
    Ничего не понятно что делать и как. Карта уродская на ней ничего не понятно, все слишком плохо!
  13. Zodiac_A
    Oct 25, 2022
    6
    It was the first game with such a setting. It`s really hard to learn how to play it. You will do at least 3-5 complete restarts before you catch the way it should work. For me the main problem is balance, as there are a few regions with extra income. Thus if they won`t be devastated by a neighbor, the empires which control them are highly likely to win. The battle engine is completelyIt was the first game with such a setting. It`s really hard to learn how to play it. You will do at least 3-5 complete restarts before you catch the way it should work. For me the main problem is balance, as there are a few regions with extra income. Thus if they won`t be devastated by a neighbor, the empires which control them are highly likely to win. The battle engine is completely broken. Ok, I may be used to the fact that muslims had better weapons and technology in the earlier medieval period. However, even your army with double troops will be losing dozens of times to your rival from Europe with equal technologic level. No matter who will command it. This fact fully ruined the interest for me. In addition I prefer battles and varied control over the battlefield. Unfortunately paradox don`t know how to create such games even now.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

86
#86 Best PC Game of 2004
64
#64 Most Discussed PC Game of 2004

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
73

Mixed or average reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. Next Level Gaming
    80
    While casual gamers may be put off by its complex political focus, sim and history buffs will love the accuracy this game portrays of medieval politics.
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  2. DailyGame
    59
    After hours of working with this game, unless you’re a history buff or ruler-in-training, you will likely find yourself overwhelmed and lost.
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  3. GamerFeed
    50
    Lack of any good documentation lead us to hours of agony and frustration just to get started. It's a compelling game, and it would have been worthwhile if we knew what we were doing from the outset.
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