Crusader Kings III

Crusader Kings III is an excellent kingdom management game, more intimate but no less intricate than the likes of Civilisation VI, it’s as unforgiving a simulation as you’re going to find while still being more fun than you’d expect it to be.

91%Game Brain Score

gameplay, story

stability, grinding

91% User Score Based on 57,891 reviews

Critic Score 91%Based on 3 reviews

Platforms

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About

Crusader Kings III is a grand strategy game set in the medieval era, allowing players to rule and expand their dynasties through diplomacy, war, and intrigue. Experience detailed character development, engage in dynamic political systems, and manage your realm's economy, religion, and culture. With an immersive world full of events, complex relationships, and historical depth, Crusader Kings III offers endless strategic possibilities for aspiring rulers.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 57,891 reviews

gameplay1.2k positive mentions

stability256 negative mentions

gameplay
4,743 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
71%
5%
The gameplay of Crusader Kings III is characterized by its intricate mechanics and deep role-playing elements, allowing players to navigate complex political landscapes and manage dynasties over generations. While the game is generally more accessible than its predecessor, Crusader Kings II, it still presents a steep learning curve due to the multitude of systems and mechanics involved. Players appreciate the engaging storytelling and emergent gameplay, though some express disappointment over the lack of certain features and depth compared to CKII, particularly in combat and regional mechanics, often feeling that many core elements are locked behind expensive DLCs.
- “The depth of gameplay is astounding, allowing you to craft a unique story for your dynasty each time you play.”
- “The game's intricate mechanics and systems allow for a high level of customization, from choosing your dynasty's coat of arms to shaping your character's personality and traits.”
- “The gameplay loop of managing dynasties, plotting against rivals, expanding your realm, and dealing with succession crises is as addictive as ever.”
- “The game really isn't going in the right direction, with each update seemingly focused more on adding busywork and gimmicks rather than fixing core gameplay flaws.”
- “Gameplay is simple: you pick a dynasty, make questionable life choices, and hope your court jester doesn’t plot your assassination.”
- “The plague mechanic is literally the dumbest thing I've ever seen in a game.”
story
1,521 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
71%
4%
The story aspect of "Crusader Kings III" is widely praised for its emergent storytelling capabilities, allowing players to craft unique narratives through character-driven gameplay and intricate political dynamics. While some players appreciate the depth and creativity involved in shaping their own stories, others feel that the game lacks the structured narratives and complexity found in its predecessor, "Crusader Kings II." Overall, the game is seen as a compelling sandbox for storytelling, where each playthrough offers a new and unpredictable saga shaped by player choices and random events.
- “Crusader Kings III is a masterpiece that combines strategic depth, captivating storytelling, and immersive visuals, truly offering a gaming experience that is hard to match.”
- “The depth of gameplay is astounding, allowing you to craft a unique story for your dynasty each time you play.”
- “Every playthrough is a different story, shaped by your decisions, alliances, betrayals, and the ever-present threat of death or rebellion.”
- “Not enough story to keep me invested.”
- “For a title centered around narrative roleplay, the storytelling elements feel underdeveloped, with repetitive events that quickly become predictable.”
- “The role-playing, character interaction, and historical aspects of the game are shallow, and there's near zero storyline in this game.”
graphics
1,504 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
59%
3%
The graphics in Crusader Kings III have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and detailed character models, marking a significant improvement over its predecessor, Crusader Kings II. Players appreciate the vibrant map design and immersive art style, which enhance the overall gameplay experience, although some have noted performance issues, particularly in late-game scenarios. While the graphics are generally praised, there are mixed feelings about the balance between visual appeal and gameplay depth, with some players feeling that the focus on aesthetics may have come at the expense of more complex mechanics.
- “The graphics are stunning, capturing the essence of the medieval world with meticulous detail.”
- “The visuals are stunning, with beautifully designed maps, intricate character portraits, and richly detailed environments.”
- “Visually, the game offers appealing graphics, though not jaw-dropping.”
- “If I have to reduce the graphical settings to below what my PS5 runs it at just to run it, then I swear I might lose my mind.”
- “The graphics are a huge improvement compared to CK2, but I would like to point out that if you're going into a strategy game for better graphics, then you might not get that much out of strategy gameplay altogether.”
- “This game feels like too much investment into graphics and character animations that took away from the actual gameplay.”
replayability
665 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
50%
2%
Crusader Kings III is widely praised for its exceptional replayability, with players noting the game's vast array of characters, cultures, and events that ensure no two playthroughs are alike. The extensive modding community further enhances this aspect, allowing for countless unique experiences and scenarios. Overall, the game is considered a must-play for fans of strategy and role-playing genres, offering nearly infinite replay value.
- “This game has so much depth and replayability; it's a complete steal at the base price, let alone any deals you might take advantage of to purchase.”
- “The replayability is huge, and with the mod support, it can be remade in myriad ways.”
- “With an infinite amount of possibilities, the amount of replayability is truly insane.”
- “But after understanding it a bit, there is some nice enjoyment potential (though I don't think it will have as much replayability as other Paradox games, for that the game is a bit too easy to ascend from any arbitrary low-level starting position).”
- “To be honest, it's pretty boring. I was excited when it came out, but it doesn't have the replay value like Crusader Kings 2, which I play more of. The game feels like you're going 5 years a minute; I start the game at 16 and 5 minutes later I'm 22. We need more flavor into the game, and the DLC coming in does not do the trick and does not give the same world-opening experience like the CK2 DLCs had.”
- “The game has much more replayability since Royal Court came out.”
music
405 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
52%
5%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its atmospheric and immersive qualities that enhance the medieval experience. While some players find the soundtrack beautiful and fitting, others criticize it for being repetitive and lacking variety compared to its predecessor, Crusader Kings II. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a strong aspect of the game, though there are calls for more diverse tracks and improved music controls.
- “The music and sound design further enhance the atmosphere, drawing you into the medieval world.”
- “The soundtrack is both haunting and beautiful, perfectly encapsulating the medieval atmosphere.”
- “The music is beautifully written and really adds to the immersion.”
- “The music in this game is severely lacking in variety and often sleep-inducing.”
- “I do miss the music from CK2; not sure if they made the right design decision by toning it down.”
- “The music in this catches my attention when it's a remake of a CK2 piece, but other than those (there are not many), the music in CK3 just feels like boring and forgettable background music.”
humor
403 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
Crusader Kings III is widely praised for its humor, with players enjoying the absurdity of medieval life, including chaotic events like inbreeding, scandalous marriages, and unexpected character interactions. The game's blend of strategy and comedy leads to countless hilarious moments, especially in multiplayer settings, where players can share their outrageous stories and decisions. Overall, the humor is a significant draw, making the game both entertaining and memorable.
- “Whether you're fabricating claims, waging war, or hosting feasts where everyone somehow ends up naked (thanks, Norse culture), every action spirals into chaos in the most hilarious way.”
- “The game's unpredictability positions players as history's most ambitious yet humorously harried rulers.”
- “The family interactions are pure gold, and you'll find yourself chuckling at the craziest family feuds and marriages that are stranger than fiction.”
- “Not funny, Paradox. Seriously change your tactics, please. We are all loyal to you, but not slaves.”
- “The game seemingly is still going toward the path of RPG with unfunny, brain-dead jokes.”
- “They focus their entire time on bad event generators for the most ahistorical, spammy, and unfunny events possible.”
optimization
311 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
53%
17%
The optimization of Crusader Kings III (CK3) has received mixed reviews, with many players highlighting significant performance issues, particularly in late-game scenarios where the game can become laggy and prone to crashes. While some users report that the game runs smoothly on high-end systems and is an improvement over its predecessor, CK2, others express frustration over long loading times and the need for powerful hardware to achieve acceptable performance. Overall, while there are notable advancements in optimization, particularly in graphics and UI, many players feel that further improvements are necessary to enhance the gaming experience.
- “The optimization here really deserves praise; I don't even have to play on my gaming PC, my crappy laptop can handle it just fine, admittedly on lowered settings.”
- “Ck3 has the best performance of any Paradox game for sure, plus it looks the best, and the UI is slick.”
- “Performance is vastly smoother.”
- “It's the worst optimization you'll ever see; its AI is even worse, but it's still the only notable game in its genre.”
- “Poorly optimized and buggy.”
- “The loading is the worst; it can take up to 10 minutes or more, then crash with mods. The only thing that makes this game good are the mods. The amount of money this company has made from people; this game needs a whole new performance engine. Late games are unplayable; modded games can crash your game and freeze your PC to breaking point.”
stability
290 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
1%
88%
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting frequent crashes, glitches, and performance issues, particularly on certain platforms like macOS. While some users have noted that the game runs well on high-end systems and has improved over time, the overall consensus highlights persistent bugs and a lack of effective fixes from the developers, leading to frustration among players. Despite these issues, some still find the game enjoyable, often relying on mods to enhance their experience.
- “The game runs great on my setup and it's a real pleasure to play.”
- “I found the game very stable, mostly bug free or just minor not really important ones.”
- “Launch has been, in my experience, bug free, and the game loads fast and runs smooth at max settings.”
- “Unfortunately, the developers have rarely prioritized fixing the persistent bugs and glitches that consume system resources like a power-hungry Chrome browser, leading to frequent lags and crashes.”
- “I used to love playing this game, but unfortunately, it's so buggy now it crashes every single time I try to play it and is utterly useless. I have asked for a refund numerous times but to no avail.”
- “The game is buggy and broken... do not buy this game... it is horrible!”
grinding
261 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
21%
78%
The reviews highlight a significant concern regarding the grinding aspect of the game, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive, particularly in managing armies, court dynamics, and long-term gameplay. While some appreciate the streamlined mechanics that reduce micromanagement, others feel that the game becomes a monotonous grind, especially in the late game where progress can feel slow and unengaging. Overall, players suggest that while there are enjoyable elements, the grinding nature of the game can detract from the overall experience, often requiring a substantial time investment to achieve meaningful progress.
- “Grinding isn't necessary to progress.”
- “Paradox is really doing a good job with the latest DLCs; each one of them feels meaningful and adds mechanics that are not tedious but only enjoyable, and the modding community is doing a crazy job as always.”
- “The final and possibly most important aspect is the fact this game is not tedious to learn, unlike previous Paradox titles; as a result, I have been able to get a bunch of my friends to play CK!”
- “Never played this franchise before and I clearly did not pick the correct one to hook me in because this game is extremely tedious.”
- “The issue I have is that you reach a point when the game slows down significantly and it becomes tedious.”
- “It makes long-term games unbelievably tedious.”
monetization
81 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
35%
60%
The monetization strategy employed by Paradox has drawn significant criticism from users, who describe it as a "cash grab" characterized by excessive DLC pricing and a reliance on microtransactions that detract from the overall gaming experience. Many reviewers express frustration over the feeling that essential content is locked behind paywalls, leading to a perception that the game prioritizes profit over player satisfaction. While some acknowledge the game's potential and enjoyment, the prevailing sentiment is that the monetization model is exploitative and undermines the value of the base game.
- “Importantly, there are no microtransactions, which enhances the value of the game.”
- “Also, another thing I enjoy a lot is the monetization model.”
- “While that lack of competition allows Paradox to be weird with their monetization, the game itself is a solid one, and well worth giving a try.”
- “Paradox has one of the most vile monetization schemes in modern gaming.”
- “Repeatedly charging twenty or thirty dollars makes this some of the most disgusting monetization in the industry.”
- “It's really just a cash grab, mostly recycling the old game and not giving a damn how stable and optimized the new one really is.”
character development
81 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
59%
4%
Character development in the game is highly praised for its depth and complexity, allowing players to create intricate characters with unique traits, skills, and life events that significantly impact gameplay. The focus on character interactions, political dynamics, and personal relationships enhances the storytelling experience, making each decision feel meaningful. While some players express a desire for more variety and depth in character design options, the overall consensus is that the character development system is a standout feature that elevates the game beyond traditional strategy mechanics.
- “The depth of character development and the intricate political dynamics make every decision feel impactful.”
- “The depth of character development is astounding—your ruler isn’t just a figurehead but a living, breathing personality with traits, desires, and flaws that can shape the course of history.”
- “The character development system, complete with traits, skills, and life events, creates deep and complex characters.”
- “The only thing about the game that I really think they did worse on compared to the other games is the way the game feels when played; there are much fewer character development decisions, and when there are, they are really simple and seem scripted.”
- “What evidently will not change are the game-breaking issues, mainly holy wars, alliances, and control over character development.”
- “Control over character development is fleeting.”
emotional
78 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
96%
1%
3%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by players' deep connections to character-driven narratives, where managing families and dynasties leads to profound emotional investment and experiences. Many reviews mention the game's ability to evoke a wide range of feelings, from heartwarming moments to heartbreaking losses, making players feel like true rulers navigating complex emotional and political landscapes. Overall, the game is praised for its engaging storytelling and the emotional rollercoasters that unfold throughout gameplay, creating memorable and touching experiences.
- “Players engage in a character-driven narrative, managing families instead of merely nations, which adds depth and emotional investment to the experience.”
- “The stories that unfold as you guide your dynasty through the ages are nothing short of emotional rollercoasters.”
- “This game is an elegant Fabergé egg of complex, interlocking systems capable of generating an infinity of hilarious, touching, disgusting, and fascinating stories as you pillage, romance, murder, and rule an utterly unique, possibly famous, possibly inbred dynasty through the Middle Ages.”
- “Heartbreaking”
- “A pretty boring story in all, I guess, but the exciting thing is how everything could have turned out so very much differently.”
atmosphere
66 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
40%
5%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and captivating medieval environment, enhanced by stunning visuals, detailed maps, and a masterfully composed soundtrack that transports players into the era. While some players feel it lacks the depth and authenticity of its predecessor, Crusader Kings II, many appreciate the game's ability to create a rich and engaging atmosphere that allows for relaxation and enjoyment. Overall, the combination of high-quality sound design, atmospheric music, and visual detail contributes significantly to the game's appeal.
- “The music and sound design further enhance the atmosphere, drawing you into the medieval world.”
- “Visually, the game is stunning, with detailed maps, beautifully rendered character portraits, and atmospheric music that transports players to the medieval world.”
- “The soundtrack, composed by Andreas Waldetoft, complements the atmosphere perfectly.”
- “A horrid amalgamation of an attempt to recreate an atmosphere and experience on par with Crusader Kings II. Those who say it's better because everything is so easy to find clearly do not understand that user interface doesn't magically make the entire game better. It's just 3D characters and boom... you've brainwashed an entire class of players that old games mean nothing and offer nothing. I wonder just how many people will continue to perpetuate the lie that somehow Crusader Kings II is inherently inferior when it is the only grand strategy game that makes you feel the medieval atmosphere.”
- “I tried to like this game but I couldn't get over its cartoon atmosphere and frustratingly slow pace.”
- “Definitely greatly improved since launch, but could still use more flavor and better sound design to bring the atmosphere closer to Crusader Kings II.”

91%Critics’ scoreBased on 3 critic reviews

Buy Crusader Kings III

68h Median play time

344h Average play time

70h Main story

637h Completionist

17-340h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 410 analyzed playthroughs

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89%47.2kreviews