Crusader Kings 3 Review

Crusader Kings 3 reviewed by T.J. Hafer on PC.
#ign

[@chedychedychedy]

Hey hey people It's time to turn your family tree Into a family circle

[@drsoe08]

Sseth here

[@drakan4769]

sweet home -alabama- medieval europe

[@horseguy4503]

wait.... i know that reference....

[@gameblast5696]

Yaaa 🍜

[@chocolaterain5097]

The best CK2 review ever lol

[@jjoskar5248]

wtf paradox game gets 10/10 at release, is it even possible ?

[@jovalin5939]

Paradox must have a strong hook on IGN

[@alijassim7015]

@@jovalin5939 Hope they really made a 10/10 game!! I would love to play it.

[@lordgachar3465]

I Geass they really did learn something from imperator Rome mistakes...

[@Skulldude-yj9kg]

We got a bot in our reply

[@ilikememes1402]

People who are reading this reply thread. Paradox is a large group and the group for imperator is different with the ck2 og dev group.

[@brownbearboxproductions3458]

10/10 “Your wife’s boyfriend will love it” -IGN

[@dudewithmittens3004]

LOL

[@trtyuiop]

*Wait my wife has a boyfriend*

[@dudewithmittens3004]

IDK Gonna be a shining comment in IGN comments history （〜^∇^)〜

[@dariusgunter5344]

After you killed his brother and he poisend your last drink

[@reeceshugrue6167]

@@trtyuiop Strong hook gained

[@absboodoo]

IGN giving a Paradox game 10/10? Is 2020 really the end of the world? What is happening?

[@wtfinator4]

They gave Madden a 6 which is the real shocker

[@jacktheripper5112]

pinch me man i think im dreaming or something,even TLOU2 didnt get 10 and that game had had potential for it xD

[@fabianthecownip]

They gave Imperator a 8 tho

[@SahilP2648]

@@jacktheripper5112 TLOU2 was horseshit

[@katra777]

@@SahilP2648 story sure but gameplay and settings were top notch

[@samsaunders1183]

Please more reviews from TJ, absolutely phenomenal reviewer.

[@chscelebrity8325]

Because he gave a game a 10/10? Name other games he’s reviewed please cause you can’t say he’s phenomenal over one game

[@Dr_Diaz]

​@@chscelebrity8325 bots

[@OmegaWolfking2]

The Game of Thrones mod is going to be insane, can't wait.

[@watzax26]

Its gonna be hard to make 3d character portraits

[@OmegaWolfking2]

@@watzax26 hard, but not impossible

[@brendenh9461]

Watza they could always be static pictures, you can enable that for the regular game so I assume they could do that easily

[@Nobody-fb7ni]

I never gave the base game a fair shot, I got it for AGOT and mostly played that. Going to start a real world play through this time but can’t wait for the mod!

[@brendenh9461]

cosgrove360 It’s a very hard series to get into imo, but this game feels MUCH easier so far. It feels like a game, not a spread sheet with pictures. Even Hearts of Iron 4 from 2016 by Paradox feels so overwhelming and complicated. I’m glad CK3 seems to be much easier to look at without having an anxiety attck

[@ajdnitro123]

A strategy game getting a 10/10 from a mainstream channel? What is going on? What weird age have I stepped into?

[@ajdnitro123]

@Tommy De Sadi oh then what is it

[@billypilgrim1]

@Tommy De Sadi It's a grand strategy game with RPG elements

[@ajdnitro123]

@Tommy De Sadi Lol that is a more accurate description. A new genre of games called RNGetFkd

[@ninetailedfox579121]

And a AAA sports game getting a lowly 6/10. IGN is trying to give us happy thoughts during these times of misfortune.

[@MavihsLH]

ajdnitro123 IGN have given smaller indie titles 10/10. So it really isn’t a surprise.

[@thejuiceweasel]

If someone who has a 4 figure playtime in the predecessor rates it that highly, then that's actually a helpful assessment.

[@PrettyNormous]

I actually would much prefer an honest review from someone who has not played the prequels. In grand strategy the biggest hurdle is how accessible the game is to new players.

[@sammer7064]

HappyTimeHollis its my first in the series and it actually helps you throughout the gameplay, its fun :)

[@kingoflebanon1986]

@@minhngoctran2930 It's meant to simulate your empire crashing

[@spambot9206]

@@PrettyNormous isnt the main hurdle the price?

[@sifatrabby1962]

So we all went to the end just to be surprised by the 10/10 score! Personally I am starting to like this reviewer. His voice is so charming, calm and fits a pro game reviewer narrative.

[@mark_medina_ign4725]

TJ is the reviewer and the narrator

[@klurikon3004]

@Tamer Ciftci here I come with half life alyx and Black mesa 😉

[@klurikon3004]

@Tamer Ciftci damn you got triggered easily like most sony pony's.

[@LaserPuppies]

@Tamer Ciftci console wars got old in 2008. Grow up

[@byronviljoen4899]

He has a podcast called 'No CB a grand strategy podcast'

[@tc4ltheking]

TJ thinks it’s a 10. Well that’s exciting, I was already excited, now I’m pumped.

[@Nickyeah]

Especially coming off of how disappointed I was with Imperator Rome, I'm happy this game seems to be promising.

[@PumpkinBread2]

IKR?!

[@martinrdh96]

big lul...

[@Chironex_Fleckeri]

It's IGN lol. The review is meaningless

[@jmarra07]

Well, if TJ said so then who can argue...

[@HeyMyNameIs...]

This game is the sims 3 for historical strategy games. It reinvents old ideas and also introduces new ones, it will probably re-release old expansion but with the new systems of the core game and that's what excites me the most about this game!

[@lynxerax7011]

hard to release most old expansions when most of the mechanics are already in or made obsolete by better variants

[@geminusleonem9365]

@@lynxerax7011 Well, there is always the classic Byzantine DLC (with a new governing system), the Republics Expansion (hopefully with some proper new Trade mechanics added in), the Nomads Expansion, the Far East Expansion (with a map extension), the Charlamagne DLC, the Dark Ages DLC, a Religious Expansion (more and deeper interactions with religious figures with some added councils and schisms), and of course the inevitable Aztec Invasion DLC.

[@Plague_Doc22]

So what excites you the most is that u'll have to rebuy expansions lmfao

[@user-wl8mf3dq6f]

HonestGamer Isaac paradox said they are not rehashing the previous dlc from CK2. This game will have its own unique dlc.

[@JamazVu]

lmao, the characters actually look like the Sims models

[@Vinzerothx]

The way TJ keeps dragging the pop-up windows to the left side, increases my stress levels

[@rd0676]

So ready for the Game of Thrones mod 😁

[@reeceshugrue6167]

The mod's developers got early access to tools, so we'll see how things go!

[@crazybiscut]

I just want dragons and walkers face off

[@nintendoeater93]

@@reeceshugrue6167 for real !!! How long did it take for CK2's mod to come out

[@giannizwaenepoel8702]

@@reeceshugrue6167 So GoT got privilages again? Thats sad. Its a great mod and all but leaves the smaller conversion mods in the dust.

[@tudor5716]

@@giannizwaenepoel8702 every modder has acces to the modding tools not only the AGOT team

[@CalmSmilingMan]

Say all you want, but the family tree alone impresses me.

[@jovalin5939]

It was absolutely beautiful. I completely understand what you mean.

[@ashmitpattnayak8060]

get ready to turn it into a family circle!

[@CalmSmilingMan]

@@ashmitpattnayak8060 Yo! This game is gonna be spicy, ma dude.

[@andrewmartin1657]

I

[@jolennijoben5705]

@@ashmitpattnayak8060 Habsburgs: laughs in selective breeding.

[@ryanwaasdorp]

10/10? Damn IGN.

[@SweetYeya]

well, typical ign reviews lol

[@ippothedestroyer]

@Dominic Ign is a crappy reviewer.Its pretty obvious.

[@Venomonomonom]

Boring 3/10. Windbound 8/10

[@SweetYeya]

@Dominic ign reviews fanboy? this is the first time i see one

[@trtyuiop]

*10/10, so this is going to be a GOTY nominee?*

[@virenkeswani]

10/10 doesn't meant goty nominee rem control ..

[@MrUbister]

1. Cyberpunk 2077 2. Crusader Kings III Best

[@Pietro-Smusi]

probably best strategic title of the year, but it's too niche to be GOTY

[@MrUbister]

@@Pietro-Smusi CK2 might have been borderline strategy/RPG but I think CK3 can hardly be called anything but a RPG game first and 4X/strategy game second at best. The stress mechanic encouraging roleplay for example really highlights that And the way lower learning curve will probably attract more people, but year for this year it won't gain enough traction stilll yet.

[@1kbmahan]

Pointing and clicking = game of the year. Sounds reasonable I guess

[@YouLikeBosch]

Gotta say, I tried to play CK2 and put it right down - it was far too inaccessible for a grand strategy noob like myself. This successor, however, has been so simple to pick up and roll with. The tutorial is finally competent enough to get you on your way before detaching the leash. I'm very impressed, and I haven't been able to put it down in the 30 hours I've played.

[@i3lia7mad]

Reviewing a game like this is a challenge for any reviewer. Well done.

[@mikahkohen1056]

Woah... I’ve never seen IGN give a 10/10 before!? Of all the games they’ve reviewed I would have never of thought a game like this would get a masterpiece rating! It goes to show there’s more than one way to make a great game.

[@BobsiPringlez]

Saw the Irish Lads play this, looked like a blast

[@PumpkinBread2]

LOVE IT. Can't freaking wait. Thanks for having a strategy gamer who loves PDX titles review this.

[@wealiveandliving]

Still need to see the game for myself but, still happy there was some content on it

[@The_Real_Eman]

You can see some gameplay from KZbinrs which got early access to it

[@robertagren9360]

There's pictures, they're moving It's alive!

[@MrHomelessHobos]

@@robertagren9360 hi

[@Steveypoos]

This games makes you FEEL like a caped crusader king - 10/10

[@aaronsegal6052]

It has a little something for everyone.

[@royalhero4608]

I really hope they bring back a 700s start date, that was always my favourite

[@OlivierBL]

10 / 10 "My mother is also my sister" - IGN

[@wheresashutosh]

Was it only me who was bothered by him constantly dragging in game windows before clicking onwards 🤔

[@Mr_Spaghetti]

man y’all are just never happy with IGN huh

[@luiswest7533]

Mr Spaghetti LMAO for real

[@Tap02]

Beta’s do that. They avoid direct action.

[@nonomen6665]

That's what every Crusader Kings player does, that's how you know she's legit.

[@Whitedudeabove]

Thank you, I was looking for someone to point this out. I was really bothered by it as well.

[@bstajic]

Characters developing their own personal stories through traits and retinue. This is something the Total War games have lost since the Medieval 2, and I sure hope they'll bring it back for the Medieval 3 one day.

[@MisterRawgers]

Who’s here after seeing this game on Xbox game pass?

[@sergiutelbisz1955]

The only game I have preordered for a very very long time. I knew this was meant for my soul to enjoy. Happy gaming people!

[@MavihsLH]

This review got me more hyped than ever. Already sunk hours into 2, prepping for this release. Can’t wait to get into it!

[@kundanpal3785]

Available on Game Pass PC. Damn excited.

[@Brutalismus_]

Love me some grand strategy. Cannot wait for this to drop tonight.

[@fall0rn]

How do you get cutscenes to work? Oo there is like nothing that guides you through a "campaign" im kind of confused, the tutorial left me pretty clueless aswell on how to actually play the game lol

[@scorpioninpink]

10/10, so GOTY nominee?

[@drakan4769]

probably too niche a genre for GOTY, but paradox is known to be the masters when it comes to grand strategy

[@MavihsLH]

scorpioninpink It’ll get best strategy for sure.

[@thisisgame]

@awd awion could you tell us what the other games are?

[@tolgayatamturk2304]

lol only casual games get GOTY. Disco Elysium also really deserved it back then

[@NeonLeonNoel]

How do you make your army join your allie’s? It’s different than in CK2.

[@crunchomancer]

A game about slightly dragging pop-up windows to the left.

[@johnwhiteX]

I’ve never played this games but as a fan it historical turn based strategy games I’m intrigued. I love the total war franchise and was wondering how the two compare?

[@drsoe08]

Its difficult to compare the two because even if they're both strategy games they have very complex differences, for example you can play the CK games as a straight up RPG game even its billed as a strategy game.

[@thejackman687]

Total War is mainly about the awesome battles, and the politics and strategy is their to make the battles meaningful. In CK spying, diplomacy, combat, and management are all about equal in importance. If you love Total War for the great combat it can be a hard transition as there is no player skill in combat only character skill. Its all in rigging the deck beforehand.

[@Eltener123]

total war is like 10 times easier

[@OfficialKamElite]

remember when you guys gave evolve a 9, I do

[@frazercochrane8750]

Pepridge farms remembers

[@Uldan1988]

10/10 !? *Spiff Happy noises* Perfectly Balanced

[@dariusgunter5344]

20/10 Fun, 0/10 balance, so we take the even 10/10 xD

[@yakov5107]

bro ngl i cried

[@Legion12Centurion]

Hey isnt that the voice actor in the beginning that did the phenomenal job narrating those King Arthur games that was sort of Total War meets heroes of might and magic years ago. I remember they released 2 games and they had these narrated text adventures built in and it was really a clever way to immerse the player for all the faults of the games. And you got to pick options on what to do. Might not be the same voice but they sound a bit alike.

[@mihailojovicevic5576]

Can't wait for tomorrow. I already bought royal editions!

[@thecircusfreak5364]

To all of you newbies to this sort of strategy - paradox games are absolutely phenomenal. Not for everyone, but they’re incredible if you put the time into them.

[@ippothedestroyer]

I just wanna see how much is left out from crusader kings 2.

[@Evanz111]

Anyone else checking out reviews after this appeared on the humble choice this month?

[@willromeny1]

Ordered it! Thanks for review sir.

[@PikaPilot]

Why is there not a link to the written review in the description?

[@YuGiOhDuelChannel]

I feel like this review is for those who have played the second one, I have no clue what is going on in this game from this video lol

[@joeywild2011]

Let me explain: You control a ruler of a piece of land in the medieval ages (you pick a start year of either 867 and 1066). The goal of the game is to keep your lands and your family strong in various ways. You can rule counties, duchies, kingdoms, and even empires (each next one is bigger than the previous). You can go to war with other territories, or use trickery to get land through marriages and secret schemes (this is more complicated but that’s the basic idea). It’s not just about controlling your land though. Another big part of the game (which they have expanded on for this next game even more) is all about the characters and your family/dynasty. You need to keep your family alive, because if you die and you don’t have an heir for your title/territory that is from your family (if you don’t have any children for example) then it’s a game over. You use arranged marriages to grow your family and make sure you and your children can have their own offspring. Another big part of the game is religion, and you can spread your character’s religion, or change to another one, or even create your own religion by breaking away from the original faith (or even playing as a tribal ruler and reforming your tribal faith into a new proper religion of its own). You play how you want. Want to be a powerful warmonger who conquers all the lands around you? Want to be a peaceful ruler who focuses on their family and makes it huge? Want to be a faithful ruler who fights for their faith and spreads it, becoming known as a devoted King/Queen? Want to be incestuous and have children with your sisters/brothers? Want to assassinate your enemies and have no one know it was you who did it? It’s all possible.

[@drsoe08]

@@joeywild2011 How ironic that the CK games are far better RPGs compared to the mainstream RPGs like the Witcher franchise or Final Fantasy franchise.

[@YuGiOhDuelChannel]

@@joeywild2011 Thanks for the explanation!

[@Novozymandiaz]

@@drsoe08 The Witcher is not a mainstream RPG, its a mainstream ARPG (Action-RPG), which is different from an RPG. Its as much an RPG as it is an Action game. CK is not an action game.

[@yari6309]

I've been waited this game for a year. It's finally released today, but why the F* they release this on tuesday???

[@cyber_human6476]

Hey guys, I really want to get into CK, but do you think I have to play the 2nd or the 3rd first ? ( I started playing the 2th but the UI IS a little bit old... )

[@davidsekhleyan693]

Play the 3rd. He doesn't have bunch of DLCs + CK3 has much better tutorial than CK2.

[@Westernbob1]

How does it compare to having CK2 with all the dlc does it have enough features

[@vidhusharma9452]

I have not played any crusader king game before and I am new to the strategy games mainly play fps. Should I give it a go? Or it would be hard for me to understand?

[@JediMasterYoda66]

it would definitely be hard to learn, but it's definitely worth it if you take the time

[@irtizafayaz]

CK3 is the exact opposite of FPSs. You'll be mostly looking at numbers and words on a static screen. There's no flashy action here. It's more like a tabletop instead of a 3D AAA game.

[@jjoskar5248]

paradox says that ck3 is their easiest game to learn, cause they added tones of tutorials

[@nqh4393]

This game brings out the best of our wisdom and the worst of our moral.

[@omaryrasha7650]

Wise man ❤

[@Ilchiusa]

Is there a game with similar strategy logic and also actual control of field armies? Total war saga maybe?

[@danielf4529]

So I tried CK2 and honestly found it a little too overwhelming in the tutorial and never got into it. I also couldn't read the font despite trying to turn it up. I'd give this is a shot, but I dunno, maybe on sale?

[@PlaySA]

Same story for me. Games like these aren't for everyone, you gotta commit to understanding the mechanics and getting yourself into the natural stories that begin to emerge.

[@arthursalzar7688]

Iam looking for a game that's like age of empires but for the ps4. Any recommendations?

[@Tripdog99]

Does anyone know the name of the song that started playing at 2:53?

[@sergical5]

Either he moves those pop-up windows to the left out of habit, or those pop-up's need to be patched to open in the free space so they're not in the way.

[@1TruNub]

Vicky 3 Confirmed?

[@morgoth9846]

Are there real time battles in this game? Never played a game from these series, but I’m very interested now

[@JohnDoe-dt1me]

No.

[@JediMasterYoda66]

The game uses stats and random number rolls to simulate combat. If you want strategy game with real time battles, the Total War series is probably best.

[@morgoth9846]

Jedi_Master_Yoda69 I actually played Total war, but I thought diplomacy was quite lacking in TW and your relations with other factions. Thank you tho

[@Gabefalconb]

Crusader Kings 3 really makes you FEEL like a Crusader King 3... There’s a little something for everyone

[@natestarkovich4893]

Ngl I’m gonna breeze through this game, I mean I have the record for bowsers big bean burrito

[@Voujdjr]

Can’t wait!

[@Drew151Proof]

This looks amazing. Is it still worth playing? Seems like it would be considering you have it a 10

[@jgalvan09]

it's on sale and it's amazing

[@Powagoat]

So this is actually worth buying now and not in 3 expansions?

[@oshimarue]

I'm just SOOOO EXCITED!

[@sup3rAVATARtlafAN]

Didn't play crusader kings 2 so THIS I'm definitely getting

[@sup3rAVATARtlafAN]

@Talf Fire nah. I prefer the newest one

[@dragondrew2000]

CK2 is still awesome .. I still don't know if I'll get CK3 because CK2 still has so much I can play.

[@mnBroncos1]

@Maher Fauzi i hope it does. why not make the best games better. I had no problem with ck2's dlc. the game was a full game at launch and they only made it so much better. they also put so much more to start in ck3. can play more areas right away and that build own religion thing im stunned wasn't a dlc.

[@doyouevenpraise189]

CK3 already have some ck2 DLCs stuff so Going to ck3 as a new payer will be perfect indeed.

[@humbuggersz8437]

@Talf Fire Wrong, dipshit.

[@Cazzdr]

How's this game compare to civ6?

[@689753]

a link to the written review would've been useful in the description.....

[@92jdeg]

i want to play this game! but the learning curve looks intense......... does it ease you into all the systems well? or will i just feel completely lost for hours and hours

[@doid3r4s]

You will take some time to learn and you will feel frustrated at times. But in the end it will be worth it. The more you put into the game, the more it will give back to you. You just have to adjust your expectations.

[@DeadlyShadowsX9]

How is this game for new players? Im new to PC and Strategy games

[@Haos51]

While I enjoy the review, I must say I enjoyed being able to look at the different tenets of Faith

[@carlosaponte44]

1000's of hours!!! Holy cow man, take a break once and a while!

[@sirtinderloin7399]

I just hope for next version they find a way to hide the numbers completely. It still seem to have that whiff of excel

[@Plague_Doc22]

I have never played a CK game, I dont enjoy mass micro managment...do I stand a chance at liking the game? And if so how long until I understand the game mechanics?

[@JediMasterYoda66]

I doubt you'll like it. Grand strategy games are filled with micromanagement, CK3 included.

[@arthurdevrome8925]

Does it run on Windows 7 I know officially not. If not I can't buy it for now

[@blablableble7145]

Imperator Rome rated 8/10 by IGN for the release, just saying

[@RRRRRRRRR33]

@OmgLookAtTheYuckerMan Waaiong I am actually surprised to see how paradox have a strong marketing to begin with. I severely underestimated this company lol

[@christopheromeara1442]

This makes me feel better about my preorder, thank you IGN!

[@alex8480]

How dumb do you have to be to still be pre-ordering in 2020

[@s.n2269]

the book worm why do you care so much?

[@alex8480]

@@s.n2269 how much do you think I care? It takes two seconds to type a comment and then I moved on until you replied

[@s.n2269]

the book worm ok my bad

[@christopheromeara1442]

@@alex8480 You got some bonus' when I ordered.

[@WonderProductions]

Nice review, I feel it is more a 9/10 on release, but still great. :)

[@Antycarr]

GOTY at IGN will be interesting this year. Between this, Half-Life: Alyx and Flight Simulator there are some very diverse choices.

[@milke299]

Me trying to save money for court and this guy opens with that 😂😂

[@apexpredator8395]

Nominee of GOTY !

[@konczdavid]

We are living in the gamer heaven. There are so many great games have released recently. Mortal Shell, Desperados III, Microsoft Flight Simulator, Wasteland 3, and now this. It's amazing. :D And I probably even forgot about some.

[@arturr7464]

A dog with a keyboard lmfao

[@michaelknox3715]

@@TrollingChris Wasteland 3 keeps crashing on my Xbox sometimes but it's a great game

[@NapoleonBonaparde]

@@michaelknox3715 Yeah a bit of a buggy game even on PC, they will fix it.

[@MrGinp]

I think you forgot Wasteland 3

[@eugeneparis]

Wait! They finished Wasteland 2 Alpha?

[@ashishgohil_]

10 nice I want try this game it's great it's on gamepass pc I am going to give it a shot since this type of game have been very few that I like cant wait.

[@thoraero]

Unfortunately no merchant republic play yet. It's my fav on CKII.

[@xDemonTech]

A new golden age has dawned! ☀️

[@alm1261]

is your king played by James McAvoy?

[@veganporkkebab389]

Going to wait a bit for a patch. Will definitely sunk 100+ hours into it.

[@Serendipity_GamingX]

Is it worth it for ps5 version though?

[@dionysiusramanandyka6681]

Alright, time to depose my Byzantine emperor again....

[@bibidatorbib6728]

many masterpieces this year

[@mudkipsarekool]

cant wait to play this game for the next five years

[@AresCJ8]

Looking forward to all the game of thrones mods to come out. All endings of course will be better than season 8

[@josephbardwellsvlogs750]

I can not WAIT for the avatar mod

[@michaelschneider1365]

Is this game as big and deep as stellaris? It seems like it’s a lot going on.

[@raider1063]

This was and still is a masterpiece. Beyond underrated.

[@ReEeNoOo0]

it's 2020 and they still make 1080p videos

[@YoshiiWiki]

Crusader kings: total war this needs to be a thing. if you could go to the battle map and fight like in total war games, this game would be insane

[@m.m.1301]

Dude i always fantasize about this, it would resolve the horrible war mechanics paradox games have

[@jacklillie5298]

That would be an awesome game

[@darthrevan5731]

Matteo M. What’s wrong with them

[@m.m.1301]

@@darthrevan5731 It's just that they are random. Basically if you have the bigger army you win, and that's it. There's no skill or strategy involved

[@darthrevan5731]

Matteo M. Ok I personally don’t need anything more complex but I get what you mean

[@muhammadaminullah5367]

Imagine what you can do in Crusader Kings VIII!

[@partydean17]

CK3, into a new Stronghold game, Iron Harvest, and then TW Warhammer 3. Strategy games making a comeback!

[@lordcinder]

This is one of those games you know is severely complicated to make and work as expected.

[@IIISentorIII]

"i like this kind of game" 10/10 IGN

[@Siptom369]

This game is already out?

[@rrated9847]

Yeah and within hours it got cracked and released.

[@VeeeeryyyFaaaastSlooooth]

6PM cant come soon enough