Crusader Kings 2: A review

So, I have only recently really given a try to this great game from Paradox. Crusader Kings is a Grand Strategy type game, somewhat like other Paradox titles, like Europa Universalis 3 and Victoria 2. In this one however, the theme are dynasties.

I started my game as duke in modern day Denmark in the province of Slesvig. Duke Sceadwian I of Slesvig, owning the provinces of Holsten and Slesvig initially. My first few moves were to select my council, which I got some good people for the job and getting married. The options were unfortunately not the greatest, so the obvious pick for me was the (once) lovely Princess Ingegrad of Norway. Daughter of the king of Norway, as well as being a great steward, which complemented my character very well. In terms of stats I have 14 diplomacy (which is fairly high), 8 martial, 18 stewardship, 9 intrigue (good for plotting, which I may need to employ a lot), 11 learning (I am a scientist afterall). In terms of perks I've got Scholar, Quick and Charismatic Negotiator. Overall, my Duke is quite the package.

Ah, another reason for picking my lovely queen, is the fact that there were rummors running around that she liked to have some fun behind closed doors... Yes, supposedly, she is an eager girl... I soon discovered that the rummors were truthful. She spawned 5 children in a span of 7 years or so. The children of House Silenieks are Princess Amelia (11 years old now), Prince Juri (10 years old and growing to be a good steward, much like his father), Tea (the pious prodigy of the bunch, 9 y.o.), Ernst (second boy, 7 years old and growing to develop a keen sense of intrigue, may cause our Gavelkin succession system some trouble, but we shall see). Finally came the lovely Grethe, 3 years of age at the moment. The only one still requiring a tutor.

This game is really cool once you start to get more involved with the characters and their important life events. For instance, recently me and Juri both contracted measles. The one good thing about the experience was my character's recovery, which he did exceptionally well along with Juri. It's amazing how much I am cheering for some of these characters now. It's almost like playing a medieval aristocratic soap opera. The best part of this, is that it is supposed to be random like life, no scripts involved, and I can't wait to see what happens next. My Gavelkin system will definitely make things difficult for me.