Recent reviews by Lanceparte

The DLC is good, the fans are being silly. I will get hate for this, idc. The devs did good work.

The interplay between politics, economics, and population are remarkable, and more sophisticated than Victoria 2. I am not surprised that some folks are reacting strongly to the game because it takes some BIG swings when it comes to mechanics. As a modder, I can really appreciate how much of a triumph this is. Some things are wonky on launch, yes, but the bones here are magnificent. This deserves your attention because it is a project that took risks, and largely those risks paid off. I think they have created a gem that justifies some of its rougher edges.

This is one of the few times I have felt compelled to write a review because of the review climate on the page. People are being absolutely ridiculous about this DLC, and I don't think they have any idea how precarious PDX is right now, and how important this expansion was.

I would like to say, my review is that this is a very good expansion. To paraphrase something ProudBavarian said about the expansion, it can completely change the way you interact with the game and leans heavily into roleplaying which is the thing I most appreciate about CK3 as a title in particular. I saw a review that said it was $30 for "minor mechanics" and that is completely unfair-- adding a 3D space with positioned characters to a game where usually you spend 90% of the time staring at a map is a massive departure from form and a very ambitious addition to the game.

Would it be cool if there were Tribal Courts, or lower level Duke and Count courts? Of course, but there is every expectation that such a thing will be added later, perhaps even in a free update. How could we expect that? By looking at the free culture features which came along with this update. The new culture system is a massive upgrade to the former system, as large in scope as the entire religion system was at release, and everyone got it for free. The one best way to make sure you never get Tribal or Ducal courts is to tell people not to buy this DLC, and not to buy the next flavor pack.

I think if you play CK3 to tell stories and revel in the drama that comes with building your legacy, this expansion is an absolute must-have. If the next expansion is as bold and ambitious as this one, I will be overjoyed.

CK3 is good! It inevitably is going to lack some of the more nitty-gritty details and content of CK2 but Paradox has succeeded in drastically improving the game's fundamentals and for lack of a better phrase, they have made the game more itself. It feels like characters matter, they are memorable, and I find myself more readily making stories than I did even in CK2. I am really happy with CK3 at release and very excited about its future.

THAT is how you start a second season.

You wake up in the morning to find an army outside your window, that's new. It appears your brothers has decided to claim the throne and the Duke of Lancaster has sided with him, you can tell because of the banners.You sigh, you had hoped it wouldn't come to this. A courier is snuck out of the siege to raise your banners, soon all of your levies will be marching to lift the siege...

This game is amazing, dynasty building, role-playing, conquest, inheritance, medieval intrigue. You simply MUST play this.