
Handing you control of King Murchard of Munster, and his small duchy in Ireland, you’ll attempt to form a reunited Irish Kingdom, learning the core concepts of conquest, diplomacy, and state control along the way. Guiding you through the game’s core systems in a straightforward starter scenario, mechanics are introduced slowly, while their functions and linkages are explained in ways that can be easily grasped and appreciated.Īs tempting as the Byzantine Empire might be, stick to an easy set-up for your first game But you’d do wrong to dismiss Crusader King 3’s tutorial in the same vein.


You might view the tutorials of most games as laborious chores to pace through as quickly as possible, keen to break free from their insipid explanations and patronising suggestions. So, let’s dive into the world of maniacal monarchs and secretive schemes that is Crusader Kings 3. Fix this roleplaying-centric approach firmly in your mind, and the rest of the game’s procedures will follow naturally. Advancing the interests of your ruler is just as important as advancing that of your realm, and often more urgent. Although a sprawling map populated with competing fiefdoms and upstart vassals is at your disposal, you play as the individual, personified ruler of a realm, rather than as a disembodied nation, as in other Paradox titles. The game’s systems are complex, and its learning curve steep, but you’ll surprise yourself with how quickly you pick up its core mechanics after a little in-game experimentation.Ĭontrary to initial appearances, Crusader Kings 3 functions just as much as a roleplaying game as it does a grand strategy affair.

Guiding you through the basics of the game, we’ll introduce you to its core systems, while providing advice and explanation on where to begin, player objectives, the operation of characters, the role of councils, how to wage war, and a few final tips.īy the end, you’ll be ready to sit steadfast upon your throne, boasting a firm grasp of the core tenets of statecraft. Even old hands at Hearts of Iron 4, or adept nation-builders experienced from thousands of hours sunk into Europa Universalis 4, may become befuddled by the open-ended, character-focused systems of Crusader Kings 3.īut bewilderment is not fitting for a medieval ruler, and should be rectified before your aggressors perceive such hesitation and descend upon you, knives out. Its sheer freedom of opportunity, scope of play, and reams of nested pop-up menus often intimidate new players before they have a chance to discover the rollicking medieval machinations that lie within. Few games appear as overwhelming as Crusader Kings 3.
