Summary
- Role-play as a medieval ruler with the stress mechanic for a unique experience.
- Research historical figures for immersive gameplay and additional traits beyond the game.
- Engage in historical reenactments, seek revenge, and create custom characters for a diverse experience.
While Crusader Kings 3 improved upon previous iterations of the series in many ways, its greatest achievement by far is the overall ability to role-play as a medieval ruler. A large portion of this success can be attributed to the addition of the stress mechanic. As with its predecessor, every character in Crusader Kings 3 has a unique set of traits that define their personality. Now, however, players are taught the harsh reality of how much stress can be induced by simply going against one's nature.
If, for example, a shy character reluctantly hosts a feast in order to curry favor with their vassals, they will gain stress. Too much stress can lead to mental breakdowns and the acquirement of coping mechanisms. Balancing the stability of the realm and a character's mental fortitude can be a thin line to tread, but one that is equally fun. To take this experience further, there are extra things players can do that will align with their character's nature, and make for a story, not just a game.
7 Research Your Ruler
Nearly everyone at game start has a real history
At the start of the game, players will almost always be playing as a real historical figure. Therefore, if the player is intending to role-play, a little research can go a long way. While the developers have clearly done their own in-depth research and assigned traits to each character, at the end of the day for balance reasons, each character only starts with three personality traits. In real life, people have many more defining attributes, so anything that can be gleaned from real history can add to the immersion of a playthrough.
Crusader Kings 3: 6 Ways To Make The Game Harder
For players who find the game too easy, here are a few tips on how to make CK3 harder and more challenging.
In addition, characters often start off as adults, already having experienced much. Some have even led lives of adventure like Harald Hardrada. Gaining an insight into their formative years prior to taking over can help inform gameplay directions. Likewise, learning about their families and how everyone is connected via Crusader Kings 3's extremely useful relations panel, should help players decide who to favor. It's similar to how an author creates a backstory to add flavor and determine how a character will act, but in this case, the backstory is real.
6 Follow In Their Footsteps
Take Medieval reenactment to the next level
For players with an enthusiasm for the Middle Ages, one of the best roleplay ideas to try out for Crusader Kings 3 is to take a historical character and try and recreate what they achieved in real life. Re-enacting true events is just as much an interesting challenge as creating one's own story.
Although this might seem pointless at first, the challenge involved in such a playthrough will push players to the limit and help them appreciate just how difficult it was to reach the top of the medieval world.
5 Learn From The Past
Fix the mistakes of your forebears
Crusader Kings 3 by itself offers the opportunity to alter medieval history. Players can take this one step further by following the course of history as well as they can, but importantly with one key change. This alteration could be the correction of one of the infinite mistakes made throughout history.
For example, if a particular marriage proved the downfall of a ruler, explore the possibilities that a different spouse could have opened up. If an otherwise successful warrior king met his end in a certain battle or war, avoid this fatal confrontation and see what could have been achieved had they lived longer.
4 Each Character Is Their Own
Follow the personality of your ruler
Often players will start a Crusader Kings 3 playthrough with specific goals in mind; for example, conquering vast areas of land or amassing great wealth. And while this can be extremely fun, especially with more creative objectives, an alternative idea is to do what each individual character would want to do, not the player. This is particularly applicable to longer playthroughs where characters die and are succeeded by their heirs.
With each new character comes a new person and their own ambitions — or lack of ambition. Just because one king is a warmongering conqueror, that doesn't mean his son can't be a peace-loving collector of religious artifacts. Not only is this the most realistic way to play, but it can also be the most fun as the story will twist and turn in unimagined directions.
3 Seek Revenge
Create story flavor through subterfuge
It's safe to say that Crusader Kings 3 has more than its fair share of hostile actions available to players. However, while assassinations and wars are primarily instigated for political progression, other motives can be more compelling. If a character has suffered a particular slight, perhaps from an unfaithful spouse or a rude foreign ambassador, then a spot of personal revenge can be just what is needed.
Crusader Kings 3: Best Total Conversion Mods
Players looking for a completely different experience while playing Crusader Kings 3 will need these total conversion mods in their game.
Although these acts of vengeance might not achieve much in terms of strengthening a realm, the story will be enhanced and perhaps flourish as a family feud forms. Of course, if properly role-playing then revenge should not be taken by those with certain traits such as Forgiving or Compassionate. On the other hand, if a character is a vengeful sadist, then extreme measures of payback might be better served.
2 Create A Character
Be whoever you want to be
Creating an entirely new fictional character can be one of the best ways to enjoy Crusader Kings 3. By choosing a unique blend of characteristics and aesthetics, players can be as creative as they like, perhaps even choosing a religion or culture vastly different to the norm in the region they will inhabit.
Coming up with a backstory and adding family members can make the roleplay experience go further, especially if gameplay decisions are made with their past in mind. It is also possible before starting the game to choose custom rules which might allow more freedom to players who want to venture beyond historical accuracy. Certain mods can also add fantastical elements or even throw players into different worlds.
1 Play As Yourself
Become a virtual time traveler
Thanks to the character creator system, players are able to place themselves onto any throne they like. Everything is customizable from appearance to personality, and by giving themselves accurate traits players can experience what effects the medieval world would have on their own stress levels and subsequent life expectancy.
By making decisions based on what they themselves would do, instead of what is best for the game, a truly unique adventure will begin.
Crusader Kings 3 is available now on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
Crusader Kings 3: 10 Best Echoes Of History Characters, Ranked
Echoes of History puts players in the shoes of real historical figures in Crusader Kings 3. Here's which characters provide the best experience.
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 90 /100 Critics Rec: 99%
- Released
- September 1, 2020
- ESRB
- T for Teens: Drug Reference, Language, Mild Violence, Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
- Paradox Interactive
- Publisher(s)
- Paradox Interactive
WHERE TO PLAY
Your legacy awaits. Choose your noble house and lead your dynasty to greatness in a Middle Ages epic that spans generations. War is but one of many tools to establish your reign, as real strategy requires expert diplomatic skill, mastery of your realm, and true cunning. Crusader Kings III continues the popular series made by Paradox Development Studio, featuring the widely acclaimed marriage of immersive grand strategy and deep, dramatic medieval roleplaying.
Take command of your house and expand your dynasty through a meticulously researched Middle Ages. Begin in 867 or 1066 and claim lands, titles, and vassals to secure a realm worthy of your royal blood. Your death is only a footnote as your lineage continues with new playable heirs, either planned… or not.
Discover a sprawling simulated world teeming with peasants and knights, courtiers, spies, knaves and jesters, and secret love affairs. An extensive cast of historical characters can be romanced, betrayed, executed, or subtly influenced.
Explore a vast medieval map stretching from the snowswept Nordic lands to the Horn of Africa, and the British Isles in the west to the exotic riches of Burma in the east. Claim, conquer, and rule thousands of unique counties, duchies, kingdoms, and empires.
- Engine
- Clausewitz Engine
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Franchise
- Crusader Kings
- Platform(s)
- PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Grand Strategy
- How Long To Beat
- 70 Hours
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
- File Size Xbox Series
- 11 GB (November 2023)
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
