Recent reviews by Napoleon Vijverberg

Dumbed down from previous game with better graphics like all the new paradox games (e.g. HOI4). Unfortunately they followed the example of most game developers (think total war series) to cater to the masses that like simple gameplay to increase profit, rather than continuing the complex strategy that gave them succes to begin with. The barebone game should at least have all the complexities of the previous game+expansions and then add more complexity with expansions (preferably already have some additional complexity in the barebones). Instead of building on the complete ck2 game they kept some of the added complexity but removed a lot more, giving a net reduction in complexity/aspects/options. I’m probably a hardcore minority but I would like to see an ever increasing complexity game series and not a removing what some think tedious micromanagement to add something else. At least make micromanagement optional.

Wars are still tertiary (defeat/white peace/win claim) instead of extending it more like EU4 (medieval wars were also not settled only with the original claim, payment could also be possible). In reality peace/deals were also made with allies of the enemy, yet separate peace is still not possible.

Diplomatic interaction is still non-existent, like adding offer to join a war for a favour or some coin/asking for a loan/asking for intervention in a vassal feud/etc.

Naval transport made the same, free for all to just get every army everywhere without the need for logistic requirements, that total war rome 2 did.

Impossible marriage system that immediately results in an alliance that makes noble marriages basically impossible after 2 children because 2 alliances is too many… And no dowry system.

Much more things but basically, not building on the complete previous game and expanding (creating more depth) but rather use the barebones of the previous game and switching some things around

Well i think they simplified some stuff they should't have. For example you cant form an alliance or embargo a country.You cant do export, is automated and there is no money. There is no nice overview of the factions and in what direction every country is going.no trade agreement. Politics has less policies that can be changed and no ministers. In my personal opinion i also liked to see how the unit looked in the details but that is gone. And no supply chains which is anoying since that could be used to cut off the enemy. It also has good things though but in my opinion its a bit like in total war where they simplified the game to reach more people at expanse of complexity. But i have hope for mods and maybe updates

Maybe add some resources (more kinds of resources and a bigger amount of places) so you can strategically cut them off from certain resources. With the more kinds i mean more like victoria. I think a newer strategy game should be more complex with more options instead of less.

Nice game if they would stop the ♥♥♥♥♥♥ DLC system! Make it free! Only ask some money for big expansions. Also make no expansion and expansion compatible in multiplayer!