Crusader Kings II

[Beskar]

1.09 and The Republic are coming out today. Along with it comes the obligatory Mediterranian portraits and a song pack.

1.09 is out, no dlc on sale at the moment though.

I disagree with the first part

This is why: In short, everything which is in EU3 is in CK2 and is taken to the next level and made more complicated.

Relationships with other nations? Has to be done through marriage and other such ties, no "offer alliance" button. It also has inter-faction relations too. Very relationship based.

Technology? EU3 'I got a slider and invest in tech money funnel'. CK2 'I accelerate certain aspects of technology as a focus over time for meagre gains. No 'fast track' technology. Lots of variations and not blanket increases like EU3.

Armies? "I will build 6000 men, 4000 horses, here is my army stack. They auto-refresh in the field". CK2 has levies which requires pulling together from other territories and your relationship with your vassals affects how many men and which individual units. There is now retinue to content with and there are mercs which the AI can also use, which makes Venice for example able to beat large duchies even though it is an OPM. Armies don't auto-refresh so have to be regathered from the source, and they don't refresh when they have men summoned in the field...

Heirs? EU3: some guy with a random name just takes over with hardly any real effects. CK2: "I just lost half my kingdom!" "My vassals are all rebelling!" "Some one else won the election!" etc

Trade? EU3: I can have a centre of trade or send merchants! Ck2: New DLC just added Trade in the game at a more complex level.