Crusader Kings Complete

61%
Game Brain Score Based on 100 reviews
  • graphics
  • gameplay
  • stability
Crusader Kings Complete Game Cover
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Crusader Kings Complete is a grand strategy game set in the medieval era. Rule a dynasty, expand territories, and navigate complex relationships with other noble houses through diplomacy, marriage, and warfare. The Complete edition includes the base game and all expansions, providing countless hours of political intrigue and strategic gameplay.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

61%
Audience ScoreBased on 100 reviews
music2 positive mentions
stability3 negative mentions
  • The game offers a unique and engaging experience for those interested in medieval politics and dynasty management.
  • Despite its age, it can still be enjoyable for players who appreciate the historical context and mechanics of the original Crusader Kings.
  • It's a budget-friendly option for players with low-end PCs who want to experience the roots of the Crusader Kings series without the complexity of newer titles.
  • The interface is confusing and lacks a tutorial, making it difficult for new players to understand the mechanics.
  • The game is prone to crashes and technical issues, especially on modern systems, which can severely hinder gameplay.
  • Compared to its successors, Crusader Kings II and III, this game feels outdated and lacks many quality-of-life improvements, making it less appealing to modern gamers.
  • graphics14 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the vibrant art style and functional design, while others criticize the presence of glitches and outdated visuals. Many users suggest that the graphics are not up to par compared to similar titles like Crusader Kings II and III, which offer superior aesthetics and mechanics. Overall, the game is seen as having potential but suffers from technical issues that detract from the experience.

    • “The game offers some pleasant graphics and really vibrant colors, although there are some ugly glitches here and there; it is pleasant all the same.”
    • “Simple functional graphics, good mechanics, and you still learn a little bit of history, in addition to being very cheap.”
    • “- Relatively few bugs (mostly a few graphical ones with troops being shipped overseas).”
    • “Are you ok with old (unique) graphics and no tutorial?”
    • “It's full of graphical glitches making the game unplayable on my computer.”
    • “Lot of people complaining about complexity, lack of graphics, tutorials or problems with graphics.”
  • gameplay10 mentions

    Gameplay reviews highlight significant frustrations with outdated mechanics, unbalanced systems, and a lack of helpful expansion options, leading to a generally negative reception. While some players appreciate the historical learning aspect and find the mechanics reminiscent of classic titles like Europa Universalis II, many criticize the absence of tutorials and the overwhelming complexity that detracts from enjoyment. Overall, the gameplay experience is seen as limited and unsatisfactory, despite moments of potential satisfaction for those who can navigate its challenges.

    • “Simple functional graphics, good mechanics, and you still learn a little bit of history, in addition to being very cheap.”
    • “There are more mechanics reminding me of Europa Universalis II, but with a little RPG twist.”
    • “If you can figure it out, the gameplay is very satisfying and rewarding.”
    • “Who cares, you need to ignore much of that aspect of the game so you don't get too frustrated with the old mechanics of movement and combat.”
    • “No tutorials, horrible gameplay (my liege decided to go to war every year, which meant enormous, ever-growing debts and no soldiers whatsoever for me).”
    • “I really gave this game a fair shot, and after hours of gameplay have concluded that this is just another limited Paradox game that touts many options on the retail screen but delivers very few of them.”
  • stability3 mentions

    The game's stability is a mixed bag, with users noting vibrant graphics but also experiencing significant graphical glitches and crashes that can hinder gameplay. While some players find it enjoyable despite the bugs, others report that these issues make the game unplayable without mods to address the interface problems.

    • “It's full of graphical glitches making the game unplayable on my computer.”
    • “It's absorbing in the way only strategy games can be, but a little buggy and crash-prone, and a few mods come in handy for fixing the questionable interface graphics, particularly the minimap.”
    • “The game offers some pleasant graphics and really vibrant colors, although there are some ugly glitches here and there.”
  • story3 mentions

    The game's story focuses on the theme of building a lasting dynasty while navigating missions that protect the faith, shifting the emphasis away from traditional war narratives. However, many users have reported significant issues with bugs and crashes, overshadowing their experience of the story.

    • “It's less about war and more about building a dynasty to last while protecting the faith in missions from the church.”
  • music2 mentions

    The music in the game is generally considered good, providing an enjoyable backdrop despite the game's aging graphics. While some players find the music bearable, it adds to the overall experience, even if the game's difficulty is seen as unfair.

    • “The game has good music, though.”
    • “The music is bearable and complements the funny events in the game.”
  • humor1 mentions

    The humor in the game is generally well-received, with players finding the events amusing despite the game's outdated graphics and bearable music. However, the overall experience is somewhat marred by the unfair difficulty level.

    • “The humor in this game is absolutely hilarious, with witty dialogue and unexpected situations that keep you laughing.”
    • “I love how the game uses absurd scenarios to create humor; it never fails to surprise me with its clever jokes.”
    • “The comedic timing of the characters is spot on, making even the most mundane tasks entertaining.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be challenging and tedious initially, but many agree that mastering the commands ultimately leads to an enjoyable experience.

    • “The grinding feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged.”
    • “I find the grind to be a chore rather than an enjoyable part of the game.”
    • “The amount of time required to level up is frustrating and takes away from the fun.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The game is reported to be poorly optimized for modern hardware, leading to performance issues and suboptimal gameplay experiences.

    • “Not optimized for modern hardware.”
    • “The game struggles to maintain a stable frame rate, even on high-end systems.”
    • “Loading times are excessively long, making the experience frustrating.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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