After 400 hours of playing I can't even state how good the game is. It's the best stategy game about ruling a medieval realm I've ever played, and the game is overly complex and rewarding at the same time. Long time ago I've been wondering if there is a game like Medieval: Total War but focused far more on strategy and ruling, rather than battles themselves. This is the game.

I'm not necessarily happy about DLC policy of paradox, but at the same time base game IS finished, complete and possible to be played alone without any negative impacts of not playing with the DLCs. At the same time DLCs, while not mandatory, extend the base game and take it far beyond in already overly complicated mechanics, which is just unbelievable considering how the entire ecosystem of the game is interacting with each other.

I heavily recommend this title to every fan of grand strategy genre, especially those that do not necessarily like total war's focus on battles. This is one of the best strategies I've ever played in my life, and the best grand strategy I've ever touched. If a single gameplay that takes 200 hours does not scare you, grab it, and enjoy your DEUS VULT. I do not suggest grabbing any DLCs before you put a solid amount of hours into base game first, not only because they expand already difficult mechanics you need to learn in the first place, but also because they're quite costly and you might, or might not like what they add to it. I see the base game as completely finished and polished - personally I grabbed them on my second playthrough after solid 200 hours put into the base game first (and I don't regret anything, apart from mixed feelings about conclave DLC that I rated in appropriate review :3).

A true masterpiece, 9.5/10. Missing point for DLC policy.

After 400 hours of playing I can't even state how good the game is. It's the best stategy game about ruling a medieval realm I've ever played, and the game is overly complex and rewarding at the same time. Long time ago I've been wondering if there is a game like Medieval: Total War but focused far more on strategy and ruling, rather than battles themselves. This is the game. I'm not necessarily happy about DLC policy of paradox, but at the same time base game IS finished, complete and possible to be played alone without any negative impacts of not playing with the DLCs. At the same time DLCs, while not mandatory, extend the base game and take it far beyond in already overly complicated mechanics, which is just unbelievable considering how the entire ecosystem of the game is interacting with each other. I heavily recommend this title to every fan of grand strategy genre, especially those that do not necessarily like total war's focus on battles. This is one of the best strategies I've ever played in my life, and the best grand strategy I've ever touched. If a single gameplay that takes 200 hours does not scare you, grab it, and enjoy your DEUS VULT. I do not suggest grabbing any DLCs before you put a solid amount of hours into base game first, not only because they expand already difficult mechanics you need to learn in the first place, but also because they're quite costly and you might, or might not like what they add to it. I see the base game as completely finished and polished - personally I grabbed them on my second playthrough after solid 200 hours put into the base game first (and I don't regret anything, apart from mixed feelings about conclave DLC that I rated in appropriate review :3). A true masterpiece, 9.5/10. Missing point for DLC policy.