Another classic by Paradox with a working product on release; a complex game of people in power, seeking more power
Crusader kings II is the latest game by Paradox, one that we've all looked forward to. Its a game of dynasty building set in the late-dark age, early middle age. You choose a Christian dynasty anywhere in Europe and you try to lead it to glory. There is no "end" to the game, you just try to build a long lasting and powerful reigning dynasty in the western world through diplomacy, war and cunning politics. You can choose to start as a lowly count, a Duke, a King or even an Emperor and each strata offers unique challenges and gameplay strategies.
The game is visually appealing; it looks very nice and polished and presents all the information in a clear and efficient way. Those looking for a game whose primary focus is on graphics, like the total war series, will be disappointed. However, where it lacks in visual graphics, it more than makes up for with deep, satisfying gameplay.
The game itself is a lot of fun. It keeps you busy both in peace time and war time, and you learn to care about your dynasty and take pride in certain members that develop.
I find myself often comparing sons to their fathers or forefathers, or wishing that I a nephew or cousin were my heir instead of my borderline retarded and useless son. You marry your sons and daughters to other families with the idea of expanding your family's influence and territorial/titular holdings.
Different families have different challenges, depending on where they are located. For example a Spanish family will be dealing with other power-hungry nobility for control of the peninsula while dealing with the Moors whereas an Italian family will be dealing with its Holy Roman Emperor, other warring italian city states (including Rome) and the dream of independence.
I have yet to embark on a crusade yet but for the idealist who feels the need to recapture Holy Lands, it can be a lot of fun fighting for and holding captured lands in the middle east.
War is no cheap endeavour and if you don't have a good income or savings account, you can be sure that your they will be brief and unsuccessful.
The issue is that you can't add a wargoal while in a war. This means that once you've started a war you cannot add more objectives; worse yet, if you're stuck in a defensive war and you push back your enemy, you can't claim their lands in a counter-invasion. Therefore the best a defending party can hope for in a peace deal is prestige gain for them, and loss for the attackers. However, I'm sure this might be revisited by Paradox.
Plots are another portion of the game, one that I feel is a little hollow. Plots allow your main character to fulfill his ambitions; become steward, kill X, have a son, amass wealth, etc. However I feel that these are a little superficial and easy to achieve. The option to kill your wife is always there. I suppose, it can be a useful option to have at all times, but often after the more feasible options are achieved (i.e. have a son, amass wealth) you are only left with that one plot which more often than not, I don't need to complete. In other words, the plots are too few and uninspiring to the point where I don't really do them after the easy ones are complete. Again, I see these as being revisited by the devs and the modding community will surely add its own changes.
So far I've played as the Kingdom of Leon in spain, the Duchy of Connacht in Ireland and the County of Monferrato in northern Italy. All three have been a lot of fun and have been very different in terms of challenges.
There is a lot more to talk about, but those were the main points which are the most pervasive. I've enjoyed the game tremendously so far; it is certainly one of their best titles to date.