Crusader Kings 2

So I have not been updating my blog for ages, since I have been totally occupied playing this awesome new grand strategy game from Paradox Interactive. Crusader Kings 2 is just awesome. It's like George R.R Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire, only it happens in medieval Europe instead of Westeros. The hook it, unlike other Paradox games you don't play nations, you play characters, i.e. rulers. Your goal is to make your dynasty last and make it more powerful. But you have to look out for your brothers and other relatives who always wants to kill you or revolt. Family is the most dangerous thing there is, I tell you. You have to choose who to marry, who your sons should marry, and to whom you marry your sisters and daughters. All to get alliances with other rulers or inherit more land to your family.

It's of course not all about family intrigue (although most of it is). There are wars against your rivals and holy wars and crusades against the infidels in the Holy Land and in Spain. The time frame is 1066 to 1453 and you can start any date from 1066 to 1360. If you start at the earliest date the war for the Crown of England between Harald Hardrade, Harold Godwinson and William the Conqueror (the Bastard if he doesn't conquer anything) is in full swing. Speaking of bastards you could sire som of your own, but your wife will probably hate you for it. And the more children you have, the more headache you get when your current ruler dies, and your new ruler has far too many greedy brothers who wants to tear him apart.

Any Christian emperor, king, duke or count is playable. There's a huge difference between playing a powerful king who has to control all his unruly vassal, to play as a vassal yourself and decide whether you should be loyal to your liege, or plot his downfall so you can steal his titles. This game is very addicting, and you should really buy it right now, if you haven't already!

BTW, even the boxed version require Steam authentication. If you don't like Steam you have to buy the Gamer's Gate version, since that's the only non- Steam version.