Crusader Kings II

[Voigtkampf]

Sword of Islam review by yours truly Monk. Very nice work.

[TinCow]

Ok, CK2 players, advise me.

CK2 is currently on sale on Steam (part of the summer sale). CK2 itself can be had for $10 USD, and there is an additional pack for $30 USD that includes the following: Crusader Kings II, Crusader Kings II: Dynasty Shields, Crusader Kings II: Mongol Faces, Crusader Kings II: Songs of Albion, Crusader Kings II: Songs of Faith, Crusader Kings II: Ruler Designer, Crusader Kings II: Songs of the Holy Land.

I'm interested in CK2, but currently occupied with other games and any purchase would be for playing later... and I might theoretically never get around to it. I'm fine with spending $10 and possibly never playing the game, but $30 is a lot more of a waste. Is that $30 pack good and worth the extra money?

[Monk]

Ok, CK2 players, advise me.

CK2 is currently on sale on Steam (part of the summer sale). CK2 itself can be had for $10 USD, and there is an additional pack for $30 USD that includes the following: Crusader Kings II, Crusader Kings II: Dynasty Shields, Crusader Kings II: Mongol Faces, Crusader Kings II: Songs of Albion, Crusader Kings II: Songs of Faith, Crusader Kings II: Ruler Designer, Crusader Kings II: Songs of the Holy Land.

I'm interested in CK2, but currently occupied with other games and any purchase would be for playing later... and I might theoretically never get around to it. I'm fine with spending $10 and possibly never playing the game, but $30 is a lot more of a waste. Is that $30 pack good and worth the extra money?

All the DLC is completely optional and, aside from Sword of Islam, is purely cosmetic and only adds small flair to the game. Most of the songs only play at certain points in the game and under different small circumstances. You will never hear "Songs of Albion" if you're not a character in the British Isles, for instance. Don't spend more than you have to.

Getting the base game for $10 is a steal though. Highly, highly recommended.

[Hooahguy]

I think its mostly a waste.
Its mostly music and faces DLC.

[TinCow]

Awesome, thanks for the info. Purchased the base game for $10 USD, and also picked up Legend of Grimrock for $6 USD.

[Monk]

Sword of Islam review by yours truly Monk. Very nice work.

Thanks Voigtkampf. Reviews aren't really my thing but it was a fun experience.

I really hope Paradox adapts a new DLC strategy soon. They need to find a way to uncouple their DLC from their free (and awesome) content patches. I'd rather not see large swaths of the game being locked unless you buy DLC.

Awesome, thanks for the info. Purchased the base game for $10 USD, and also picked up Legend of Grimrock for $6 USD.

[frogbeastegg]

I really hope Paradox adapts a new DLC strategy soon. They need to find a way to uncouple their DLC from their free (and awesome) content patches. I'd rather not see large swaths of the game being locked unless you buy DLC.

This is the new strategy. The old strategy is forcing everyone to buy patches expansions. I'm not keen about the new approach but it's an improvement over the old '3 features and a tonne of patching for £14.99' dealies.

I'm curious to know if Sword of Islam has appropriate music if you do not buy the music pack DLC. It doesn't look like it based on what I've seen, and I had review code for both so I can't test it myself. If you have to buy the music separately that's pretty crazy!

[Monk]

This is the new strategy. The old strategy is forcing everyone to buy patches expansions. I'm not keen about the new approach but it's an improvement over the old '3 features and a tonne of patching for £14.99' dealies.

Oh dear. Well in that case it's certainly an improvement but then again it's not hard to improve on terrible.

I'm curious to know if Sword of Islam has appropriate music if you do not buy the music pack DLC. It doesn't look like it based on what I've seen, and I had review code for both so I can't test it myself. If you have to buy the music separately that's pretty crazy

I have maybe 200 hours in CK2 and i am ashamed to admit I have no idea if they added new music in SoI. I never noticed if they did and play 90% of my games with the game's music off. I know they released "Songs of the Caliph" for a microtransaction but that only had two songs in it.

[rickinator9]

I really hope Paradox adapts a new DLC strategy soon. They need to find a way to uncouple their DLC from their free (and awesome) content patches. I'd rather not see large swaths of the game being locked unless you buy DLC.

I get your point, but this is the best way it can be done. There's people who actually play multiplayer. If they would not have the files on their build, while the guys with the DLC would, they would not be able to play together. Add more DLC and you have got a community that is so divided there's not enough players for multiplayer.

I'm curious to know if Sword of Islam has appropriate music if you do not buy the music pack DLC. It doesn't look like it based on what I've seen, and I had review code for both so I can't test it myself. If you have to buy the music separately that's pretty crazy!

I never noticed any new music whatsoever. I think that's what the music dlc is for.

[Beskar]

FFFF- 75% off Swords of Islam.

[Monk]

FFFF- 75% off Swords of Islam.

This is truth. SoI can be grabbed for $2.50 for the next 34 hours on steam.

[Zim]

A few pics from my Ireland campaign.


The mighty Kingdom of Ireland, plus the Isle of Man and Welsh possessions. Since Irish unification the Isles have teetered between the three powers of Scotland, Ireland, and England. The last few decades have seen Ireland as the most powerful of the three as the other two Kingdoms were split between a King and independent dukes. However, just as Ireland enters a new phase of expansion both Scotland and England have gotten their acts together and if England finishes off the sole remaining independent Duke in their lands they may be on top again.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The King of Ireland, a trusting sort skilled at diplomacy but poor at intrigue.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The rest of the map. The two "Roman" Empires are the major powers. France has remained strong and is attempting to bolster a failing reconquista. Iberia is a mess. Meanwhile, in the east the Fatimids are undoing the French Levant.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

[Monk]

Very impressive maps, Zim!

Looks like the Seljuks have imploded, which may explain Byzantine dominance. Momentum in Armenia can really determine a number of things for that area of the map and i've seen it go either way, with a trend toward Seljuk/Fatimid dominance. Hopefully the Byz will slow down the Hordes, provided they stay alive!

[TinCow]

This is truth. SoI can be grabbed for $2.50 for the next 34 hours on steam.

Is that something I should be grabbing to along with my $10 CK2?

[Monk]

Is that something I should be grabbing to along with my $10 CK2?

If you ever plan to play a Muslim ruler than absolutely. I wrote a short review of it for Voigtkampf's site but allow me to sum up as best I can. SoI is essentially an expansion pack that splits CK2 into two very different but very fun worlds of gameplay. Playing Muslim is completely different than playing Christian with that DLC and is all sorts of fun. $2.50 is an unthinkably good deal for everything you're getting.

If you never plan to play on that side of the map, however, then feel free to ignore it.