crusader kings - new expansion coming out

[Odin]

there was a point in time when I was an official Paradox fanboy. Crusader Kings was for me the most eagerly anticipated game in a long time. It really does capture the fuedal system unlike anyother game out there.

This game also killed my association with Paradox games for the most part, but at 1.05 patch its a good game. the new features listed arent overwhelming, if you have played the game you know how it can get silly at times with Brittany becoming all Muslim and the Capets sitting in Paris doing nothing....

If they improve the crusade balance to powerful muslim expansion into ireland and france the game would truly be one of the most underrated/undervalued PC games out there (at this point, not at its release). Rebalancing the family lines and the fuedal relationships is already a strength of this game, not a weakness.

[ElectricEel]

This expansion is going to be released tomorrow. A PDF file that describes the changes in the expansion has been posted on the Paradox forums.

[TB666]

Well the expansion is out.
Anyone tried it ??

[RabidGibbon]

I've been playing it.

Its still crusader Kings just with whistles and bells. They all seem to be making the right noises though. My first game came to an abrupt end when my characters wife became my rival. Friends dont seem to have much effect, I imagine friendly vassals are less rebellious though, but haven't had any civil wars yet to test this out.

The best new feature is that armies can't cross the territory of neutral relegious enemies, meaning ne more sheikdom of Galway or Emirate of Scotland. Having said that though the Kingdom of Zirid still launched an amphibious attack on Rome (Which cancelled the Crusade, just as my armies were scaling the walls of Jerusalem!).

Fosterlings is the other most noticeable feature, I've managed to create a few stressed out gibbering mental cases to return to their parents. Also its useful for getting the bratlings out from under your feet in case you prove excessively fertile. Apparently murdering Fosterlings is frowned upon, but I haven't tried it out yet.

User interface is improved as well. I'd say its worth the tenner it costs.

[ElectricEel]

I've always liked the concept of Crusader Kings, but from reading the Paradox forums, I got the impression that the execution was a bit lacking. Since I read a lot of good things about the expansion (with a few caveats, see below), I decided to buy the game and the expansion. I've enjoyed it so far.

The expansion has its share of minor bugs, and there are a couple of major issues. Many people have reported crashes, and rulers pledge vassalage to others of greater stature willy-nilly, causing nonsensical results (e.g. one guy reported the Duke of Sicily pledging to the King of Sweden). But I'm sure Paradox will fix those issues - they aren't in the habit of just leaving their games broken. If you're more patient than me, waiting for a patch to be published before buying might not be a bad idea.

[Odin]

I've always liked the concept of Crusader Kings, but from reading the Paradox forums, I got the impression that the execution was a bit lacking.

Boy I wish I was that diplomatic back when the game came out, I would still be welcome over there.

The expansion has its share of minor bugs, and there are a couple of major issues. Many people have reported crashes, and rulers pledge vassalage to others of greater stature willy-nilly, causing nonsensical results (e.g. one guy reported the Duke of Sicily pledging to the King of Sweden). But I'm sure Paradox will fix those issues - they aren't in the habit of just leaving their games broken.

No they do get around to fixing them, this expansion fixes a couple of problems with the original game. I wont get it myself, finished up CK a long time ago, but nonsensical, willy nilly results seems about right for a paradox game at release.

If you're more patient than me, waiting for a patch to be published before buying might not be a bad idea.

In all candeor, I would advise anyone who purchases video games to do that now, some clever modder will come along and correct issues if they can, might as well wait a month and see what pops up. Good advice.

[Odin]

The best new feature is that armies can't cross the territory of neutral relegious enemies, meaning ne more sheikdom of Galway or Emirate of Scotland. Having said that though the Kingdom of Zirid still launched an amphibious attack on Rome (Which cancelled the Crusade, just as my armies were scaling the walls of Jerusalem!).

Well thats really the main thing that was wrong with the game after the last patch. Truly CK is one of the only medieval games out there that scratches the surface of the marriage, dynasty subplots of the period. For that alone they should get some props, it isnt sexy but its certainly unique.

However having muslims sitting in Cornwall unopposed for literally decades was silly, this correction is long overdue.