A sequel, Crusader Kings III, was released on September 1, 2020.

Crusader Kings II stood out from earlier Paradox Interactive games in that it attracted a more widespread audience, contributing to the growth of the company.

Through the strategic use of war, marriages and assassinations among many other things, the player works to achieve success for their dynasty.

The only in-game objective is to obtain as many prestige and piety points as possible in order to surpass the various historically relevant European dynasties in a fictional prestige ranking (the three most prestigious ones being the Capetian, the Rurikid and the Habsburg dynasties).

This adds an additional layer of strategy to marriages, such that a player will attempt not only to form beneficial alliances, but also to select marriage partners with strong heritable traits to maximise the quality of offspring and thus strengthen the dynasty.

This requires balancing sometimes conflicting interests; for example, while one possible marriage might allow some desirable alliance to be formed with another ruler, it may also require marrying a spouse with some undesirable traits.

Such a trade-off can occur in the reverse as well: one possible spouse could possess highly desirable traits but yield no new alliances for the players dynasty.

These include Theocracies (such as The Papacy ), holy orders, mercenaries, and republics.

The merchant republic government type, however, is playable with The Republic expansion.

It also adds story events involving Sunni and Shia Muslims.

It also adds the Retinue mechanic allowing the player to maintain a again standing army.

It also adds a few new casus belli and events concerning Republican politics and familial feuds.

Also unlocks new revolt mechanics and adventurer claimants.

Also adds Holy Orders for all faiths alongside new Events.

With Patch 2.8, Taoist rulers were also added by this DLC.

This makes it Paradoxs most successful release prior to the debut of Europa Universalis IV.

According to Paradox Interactive, the game was played by an average of 12,500 players every day, with an average playtime of 99 hours per player.

Crusader Kings 3 - Release Date, Gameplay Features, Trailer and More.

The history of the strategy game.

PC Gamer. Retrieved September 2, 2020.

Crusader Kings 2 PC Preview.

Retrieved September 6, 2012.

Crusader Kings 2 Sword of Islam expansion announced, will let you side with Saladin.

PC Gamer. Retrieved 25 November 2017.

Crusader Kings 2: Legacy of Rome expansion lets you flex your Byzantium Maximus.

Crusader Kings 2: Charlemagne expansion out now.

PC Gamer. Retrieved August 30, 2020.

Crusader Kings II: Way of Life.

Wargamer. Retrieved August 30, 2020.

Crusader Kings II: Horse Lords - A Review by James Tanaleon.

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