Deal | When the heir has an "accident": Medieval strategy game is 70% off on Steam

Paradox Interactive is best known for complex grand strategy games in which players usually take control of a nation – or, at times, an entire interstellar empire. Crusader Kings III takes a different approach. Here, the focus is not on a single state, but on your dynasty. The campaign unfolds across a vast map of the medieval world, stretching from Europe and North Africa all the way to Asia. As part of the Steam Summer Sale, the strategy game costs $14.99 instead of nearly $50 through July 9. According to SteamDB, the current deal matches the previous all-time low, last reached in mid-April. The Crusader Kings III: Collection, which includes all previously released DLC, is available for $136.48 with a 42% discount. Alternatively, there is a DLC subscription model for $10 per month.

The game’s special appeal lies in its mix of grand strategy and role-playing. If your ruler dies, the campaign does not end – it continues with an heir, provided the succession has been handled well enough. In some cases, it may even make sense to discreetly remove unwanted claimants to the throne, for example through an unfortunate “accident.” Players arrange marriages, forge alliances, wage wars, blackmail rivals, manage vassals, influence religions, and develop cultures. Sometimes an empire grows through military strength; sometimes through clever marriage alliances. Every character has their own stats, traits, relationships, and weaknesses. Whether you play as a pious king, a power-hungry schemer, a charming diplomat, or a brutal conqueror, your playstyle depends heavily on the ruler you control – and how that ruler was raised as a child.

German gaming magazine GameStar reviewed Crusader Kings III at launch in September 2020 and praised its strong blend of role-playing and strategy, its high degree of decision-making freedom, attractive presentation, improved interface, and enormous replay value. However, the editorial team also noted that the actual innovations compared to its predecessor are limited. Battles feel rather minimalistic, and the tutorials leave something to be desired – which is especially frustrating in a genre known for its steep learning curve. In the end, GameStar still awarded the game a strong 83 out of 100 points.

On Steam, Crusader Kings III fares even better: 89% of more than 143,000 user reviews are positive. Metacritic lists a Metascore of 91 and a User Score of 8.3. On Steam Deck, the title is rated “Playable.”

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