Crusader Kings III review

Crusader Kings III covers the side of medieval life the action games skip: inheritance, marriage, vassals and plots. Paradox describes a meticulously researched Middle Ages where you start in 867, 1066 or 1178 and lead a noble house across a map that runs from the Nordic lands to the Horn of Africa and from the British Isles to Burma. When your ruler dies, play passes to an heir, and traits and genetics carry down the bloodline. Warfare uses men-at-arms, knights, mercenaries and Holy Orders, but it is one tool among diplomacy, schemes and religion. It runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, needs 20 GB of storage, and 90% of 50,530 English Steam reviews are positive. The trade-offs are a steep learning curve and a large add-on catalog: Steam lists 33 DLC. It is also a map game, so players who want to swing a sword should pick something else.

Who it is for

Players who want medieval politics, marriage and succession

Price

$49.99 one-time purchase on Steam (US store).

simulation of the Middle Ages. $49.99 Buy on Steam
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 11, 2026.

Key features

• Start dates in 867, 1066 or 1178
• Map from the Nordic lands to the Horn of Africa and from the British Isles to Burma
• Play continues through heirs after your ruler dies
• Traits and genetics passed from parents to children
• Men-at-arms, knights, mercenaries and Holy Orders for warfare

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: 90% of 50,530 English Steam reviews are positive
• Strength: Runs on Windows, macOS and Linux
• Strength: Metacritic score of 91 shown on its Steam listing
• Weakness: Steam lists 33 DLC, so a full collection costs far more than the base game
• Weakness: Map-based grand strategy, with no first-person combat
• Weakness: Many interlocking systems make the learning curve steep

Key facts

• Developer: Paradox Development Studio
• Publisher: Paradox Interactive
• Released on Steam: September 1, 2020
• Storage: 20 GB
• English Steam reviews: 90% positive of 50,530

Where it ranks

Crusader Kings III is No. 4 in our Best Realistic Medieval Games verdict.