| Crusader King Graphics 2/5 The Graphics were dated and poor. On top of that, they could have made them more medieval like and less modern. But since this game is not about graphics, but about depth and replayability, it has little impact on the game itself. Play Control 8/10 The control of your armies is simple, nothing clumsy. Although, the fact that you can just go through almost anyone's land at your leisure is kind of ridiculous and unrealistic, ruinign this aspect of the game. Interface 7/10 The interface is not bad. It could have been clearer for certain things. All the menus should have been on the main map screen instead of sub menues and such. Fun 9/10 it is a fun game to play. Never the same game, even if you take the same lord and wife, your children will not be the same neither will the AI be the same in each game. You can also play with friends over the internet, which makes it even better! Although, be prepared to have many game sessions in multiplayer mode, since this is not the kind of game you finish in an evening. Depth 12/15 A very long game that spans almost over 450 years that you go through day by day! Although, there is very little to no information as to what happened during this period in our real world beside the crusades and the muslim and mongol invasions. The scenarions should have included a good description of the period as well as who was attempting what in the known world. But, the fact that, with certain lords, you could trace your lineage back to the dark ages is interesting. Since the game has a multiplayer mode, it increases its depth even further, why it is given an 8 out of 10. Story 1/10 There is absolutely no story in the game. You launch it and you play it just the way you want it... which is much better than a story oriented game where you have little or no choice in the game's story actually. Idea 4/5 A great idea. The game certainly needs a second edition to remove the flaws I have mentioned... and maybe a face lift but that is optional. Non-linearity 14/15 Almost totally non-linear. Each game is totally different granting the player an almost infinitie amount of possibilities and replayability. Interpretation 10/15 There are no voices in the game, which is unfortunate. It would have been nice to have a narrator telling you about world events, like major wars, crusades, plagues, etc. Or even the smaller events that affects your realm only. As for the interpretation of the idea, it is well done, but a lot of features are missing or badly interpreted. Like the fact that you can actually go through almost anyone's land at your leisure without any kind of treaty for example. The fact that the relationship view on the main map does not show which nation is more favorable to you than others... even with a acombined intrigue score of 32!! Decent manual that explains enough so that you can play correctly. Completion 3/5 The game was buggy upon launch and missed also a few features that, fortunately, were corrected and added with the latest patch. The missing elements that I have mentioned that would have made this game the ultimate medieval strategy/political game and the bugs made this rating pummet to a mere 7 out of 10. 70/100 good game, a must rent... a must buy if you like political/conquest game in a medieval setting. |