Deus Vult!
Paradox Development Studio is known for its grand strategy games that have largely the same gameplay but are spread about different eras of human history. Six years ago though it released Crusader Kings II and while you could still move about Europe expanding your empire and spreading your influence like most other grand strategy games, there was an expanded diplomacy and heritage system that perfectly brought in the best elements of the role-playing genre.
Ever since the game released, Paradox has been supporting the game through DLC and expansions that range from small things like unlocking new kingdoms to play as all the way up to the latest expansion which added an unplayable but still influential Chinese kingdom that changed how you played in Eastern Asia. Some people think the DLC plan is bad but for a chunk of Crusader Kings players, it is the only game they play so tossing another 15 bucks to the developers every six months isn’t the worst thing in the world for something you love.
Today, Steam announced that if you simply click the install button on the Crusader Kings II store page before Saturday at 10:00 AM Pacific, the game will be permanently linked to your account for free. You don’t even need to install it at the time, just click it and it’s yours forever.
While the base game is paltry compared to what the game has become over the years, it’s suggested that you learn the basics of Crusader Kings II with the base state so as to not be overwhelmed by every piece of DLC and expansion that has come out. If you are feeling bold or already own the game, the entire DLC catalog is on sale.
I do wonder why they are giving this away. Victoria and Crusader Kings are the two oldest series in the Paradox rotation that haven’t received a sequel in recent years and the usual turn around on sequels is seven years. Could this be Paradox’s way of gathering hype for the next release in the Crusader Kings series? Only time will tell. Until then, go forth and conquer for the Glory of the King, and if my words aren’t enough to convince you then why not listen to Paradox Interactive CEO Fredrik Wester?
As if you needed another reason to play Crusader Kings II, here is a classic. “Crusader Kings II forum out of context” pic.twitter.com/eNxCZyka5f
— Fredrik Wester (@TheWesterFront) April 5, 2018
Crusader Kings II [Steam]