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Paradox fans - CK2 or EU4?

A

Aureon

Please do not let me serve on a jury. I am actually a crazy person.
People in the Stellaris thread kept gushing about CK2, and i'm loving Stellaris, so i guess Paradox has a point.
I'm about to buy something else from their catalog: So, eu4 or ck2?
And mainly, should i dive in with all DLCs involved or enable expansions one-by-one through different playthroughs?

I'm mainly seeking something very big on internal management, factions within the empire, and trade routes.
Trade routes that need to be defended and\or negotiated are a huge plus. Trade routes in any shape or form, really.

I have literally thousands of hours in experience in strategy games, including ruthless mods and civ Deity wins, and i'm a big fan of the "Losing is fun" DF mantra, so please don't worry about complexity and whatevernot.
(UI not being a confusing mess is still a big plus, not that i have any hope for that.)
 
I prefer CK2, I also recommend (if you can afford it) having all but one of the expansions active, since they expand on the game's mechanics in some way, especially if you're playing as the featured nations of said expansion, they also allow you to start much further back in time than 1066 if you like. But even if you don't play as a featured nation, the expansions still have features to use.

The exception is the Sunset Invasion, this is purely a "What If" scenario, where a much more powerful Aztec Empire invades from the Atlantic Ocean later on, much like the Mongol Empire, resulting in a drastic difficulty spike but otherwise doesn't add to the mechanics.
 
CK2 is more about leaders and personalities and that side of empire building, while EU4 is more about trade and big picture stuff. I think most people would say CK2 is more accessible but EU4 is probably "deeper". I haven't played much of either.
 
EU4 is by far my favorite. CK2 is harder to get into and its mechanics are more obtuse. CK2 is more about micro managing, EU4 ifs more macro as you play on the country level. EU4 also covers a longer period of time that is more historically interesting including the emergence of Protestantism and colonialism. The alternate history appeal of eu4 is also greater. I colonized Australia as sardinia-piedmont which is pretty awesome. I also don't really like having to murder children in order to do well in ck2.
 
EU4 is easier to get into IMO, I tried playing CK2 a couple of times and I was too overwhelmed by all the micro-management.

I think most people consider CK2 as the better game though.
 
Those are pretty different dude, but I belive what you're asking for is EU4. While it is less about internal politics than CK2 it has Trade Routes and it's kind of (a little bit) more acessible than CK2.

Get the expansions, no point playing without them. Specially the one that improves war.
 
I find CK2 a lot easier to get lost in, due to the characters and different playstyles involved. So I'd go for that over EU4.

But they are both a lot of fun. EU4 is more of a detached takeover of the world vs. CK2's more personal struggles.
 
EU4 is a very complex game, if you're just getting the hang of stellaris I would transition into CK2 first because it's got a far smoother learning curve despite the heavier emphasis on management.

That being said the combat in CK2 and EU4 is very very enraging and tiresome. there are really only 3 tiers of units and on top of it all the bulk of the combat revolves around chasing running armies down and hopefully intercepting them.
 
In general, can i selectively enable\disable expansions without resorting to strange hacks like getting an old version on.. less reputable channels?

I guess i'll have to try both at some point in time. Somewhere along finishing my self-imposed challenges in Stellaris and Endless Legend..

AcademicSaucer said:
CK2, I think the last dlcs fucked up EU4
Click to expand...

Which ones?

Faabulous said:
Those are pretty different dude, but I belive what you're asking for is EU4. While it is less about internal politics than CK2 it has Trade Routes and it's kind of (a little bit) more acessible than CK2.

Get the expansions, no point playing without them. Specially the one that improves war.
Click to expand...

Affeinvasion said:
EU4 is by far my favorite. CK2 is harder to get into and its mechanics are more obtuse. CK2 is more about micro managing, EU4 ifs more macro as you play on the country level. EU4 also covers a longer period of time that is more historically interesting including the emergence of Protestantism and colonialism. The alternate history appeal of eu4 is also greater. I colonized Australia as sardinia-piedmont which is pretty awesome. I also don't really like having to murder children in order to do well in ck2.
Click to expand...



I'm asking about xpacs because things like Civilization tend to use them to add features, and by result the learning curve is much easier if your first games aren't.. feature-complete.
Paradox xpacs are more like new factions \ territories \ units than entire features, i gather?

Thanks for the suggestions, ya'll!
 
Paradox has handled expansions differently since CK2's release. Features and mechanics are partially brought in for free via patches, with full access being given once you own that specific expansion. It's not like Civ where it's an all-or-nothing deal--base CK2, for instance, is an entirely different beast now than it was at release, even in vanilla form. There are exceptions, but this is largely how they've been handling things.

One thing to be aware of is that the launcher for CK2, and I think EU4, allow you to enable or disable expansions (including cosmetic DLC) at will, so either way you can play as you wish.
 
XiaNaphryz said:
For an idea of how CK2 plays, I'd suggest reading through this instructional LP:

http://lparchive.org/Crusader-Kings-2/

It's a bit old, but for the most part a good representation of the core gameplay you'd see.
Click to expand...

So there's someone that still does LPs as they were meant to do written!
Crusader Kings 2 you'll need to decide whether or not you want to imprison your second wife because she keeps plotting to murder the son from your first wife who stands to inherit before the children she produced with you.
Click to expand...
This sounds great.
This also sounds like something where, 120 hours in, i go oh god i'm enjoying murdering children, but that's the cost of roleplaying history i guess!

I'll take a moment to plug in the greatest of them all, Boatmurdered (Dwarf Fortress)
 
You just missed a sale that ended ysterday wither both were $10 a piece and a lot of their expansions/dlc were heavily discounted as well. Got like all the expansions for CK2 except last one for $30.

Only played CK2, and didn't really "get it" so let it sit for a few months, 22hrs mostly spent in tut screen. After playing Stellaris felt a bit better to tackle CK2, it can be just as addictive as Stellaris. I stayed up til 3 this morning trying to see what I could do to lay claim Ghana. You can have ppl killed/kidnapped/imprisoned etc. You also need to balance your relationship with your vassals. With CK2 you have to have a reason to go to war/take land, you that adds another layer of gameplay. I have a weak claim with someone in my court for Ghana but she won't be my vassal if I go to war for her.

Also there's the AGoT mod.

Havent really messed with trading since I've been playing.

Im Mahi or w/e in my current game. Think I just may start a new game. The way the pocket is laid out where I am sucks for me. I started in like a pocket and wanted to work my way towards rome after conquering the continent. But the situation with ghana is stopping that since I can't force ne1 else to be my vassal do to being too far away because I can't take ghana who is acting like a buffer between me and everyone else. I guess I could go the alliance route with Ghana, but I want their land T_T. I've declined dozens of marriages and things with them lol.

This is how the launder for CK2 looks. you can choose what mods/expansions nething downloadable u want to activate for your playthru.
e0fe1adb3bdffe47355fc180a0648537.png
Click to expand...
 
EzekelRAGE said:
You just missed a sale that ended ysterday wither both were $10 a piece and a lot of their expansions/dlc were heavily discounted as well. Got like all the expansions for CK2 except last one for $30.
Click to expand...

Fuck, I was waiting for a sale myself. Was it on Steam or their website?
 
I haven't played EU4, but I did play a crapton of EU3. The addition of managing characters/dynasties in CK2 is so valuable that I can't really go back to EU. It's like a whole extra layer of gameplay.
 
piratepwnsninja said:
Fear not, for they are on sale on Humble Bundle as well!

Crusader Kings II Collection

The individual game is $10, but I bought that collection plus:
Way of Life
Horse Lords
Charlemagne

Felt like I got an amazing deal.
Click to expand...
Yea, looking over that it's basically what I paid for all the dlc/expansions I got on the paradox sale this wknd (minus the 10 the game was sold at). Looks like it has all the expansions except the last one which is gettin mixed/neg reviews neway. So it's a good deal.
 
I highly enjoy them both.

If you want an empire building and colonization game, then go for EU IV. If you want a medieval dynastic RPG simulator, then go for CK2.
 
EU4 by far. I much prefer the systems in EU4 - the rush to colonise the new world, dominating trade routes etc - and I find that mechanically it has much greater depth. Waging war in EU4 for example is far more interesting due to forts, the fact that technology has a far greater impact than in CK2, and that the navy actually has a role to play. And I feel that, outside of the interpersonal relationship systems, EU4 has a similar depth to most of its mechanics, which CK2 lacks.
 
EU for life! Been a fan since the first one. CK is also cool though, but I always saw it like EU little brother.
 
EU series is my second favourite after Hearts of Iron series.

CK2 is a much different game from EU:IV, it's great though, you mostly focus on characters during medieval times themselves like murdering your imbecile son that is going to ruin your dynasty, where as EU is about nation states. They're also great if you are into history since they are also historical simulations. I really enjoyed one of my games when I went to form the Russian Empire starting from Rostov and forming de jure Kingdom of Rus, Ruthenia, etc. When you set goals you have to do a lot of long term planning, lots of obstacles get thrown in your way too, and you have to account for historical events like the Golden Horde showing up (which is what you have to deal with when trying to form the Russian Empire for example). It's where the "grand" in the "grand strategy" comes in, you plan things for things you may benefit 50, 100, 200 years ahead, etc, this is very prevalent in CK2, especially when dealing with smart strategy involving marriage, lots and lots of planning.

Also OP, their new Hearts of Iron game comes out on 6 June, you may like that too if you are into WW2. It's very historical, so expect events to happen as they did in the war, but you can introduce "what ifs" when you play

Hearts of Iron IV - "Grand Ambitions" - Developer Diary 1
Hearts of Iron IV - "Naval, Land and Air Power" - Developer Diary 2

For me, my favourite PDX games are HoI > EU > CK > Victoria. I don't know yet with Stellaris since it's so new but I'm enjoying it heavily, with the game being out longer with more expansions I'll have a better idea. All their games are fantastic, even though Victoria is my least favourite game (I can just never figure out the economy/market system), I still enjoy it and it has got a great following.

CK2 or EU:IV are the most common entry points for new players, some players find CK2 easier, some find EU easier. Hearts of Iron series is probably the most complex of their games due to mechanics involved with creating an army itself.
 
I love CK2, but could never get into EUIV. Biggest problem with EUIV is it seems like if you mess up there's not much you can do to dig yourself out, and you're left with long periods of time with nothing to do.

At least with CK2 you can look at people you can marry and plots you can hatch.
 
Well, i bought CK2 + all xpacs.
The fact that i just watched Game of Thrones may have something to do with the sudden interest in backstabby dynastic politics.

Trade routes be damned. EUIV this summer!

hobblygobbly said:
EU series is my second favourite after Hearts of Iron series..

CK2 is a much different game from EU:IV, it's great though, you mostly focus on characters during medieval times themselves like murdering your imbecile son that is going to ruin your dynasty, where as EU is about nation states. They're also great if you are into history since they are also historical simulations. I really enjoyed one of my games when I went to form the Russian Empire starting from Rostov and forming de jure Kingdom of Rus, Ruthenia, etc. When you set goals you have to do a lot of long term planning, lots of obstacles get thrown in your way too, and you have to account for historical events like the Golden Horde showing up (which is what you have to deal with when trying to form the Russian Empire for example). It's where the "grand" in the "grand strategy" comes in, you plan things for things you may benefit 50, 100, 200 years ahead, etc, this is very prevalent in CK2, especially when dealing with smart strategy involving marriage, lots and lots of planning.

Also OP, their new Hearts of Iron game comes out on 6 June, you may like that too if you are into WW2. It's very historical, so expect events to happen as they did in the war, but you can introduce "what ifs" when you play"..

Hearts of Iron IV - "Grand Ambitions" - Developer Diary 1
Hearts of Iron IV - "Naval, Land and Air Power" - Developer Diary 2

For me, my favourite PDX games are HoI > EU > CK > Victoria. I don't know yet with Stellaris since it's so new but I'm enjoying it heavily, with the game being out longer with more expansions I'll have a better idea. All their games are fantastic, even though Victoria is my least favourite game (I can just never figure out the economy/market system), I still enjoy it and it has got a great following.

CK2 or EU:IV are the most common entry points for new players, some players find CK2 easier, some find EU easier. Hearts of Iron series is probably the most complex of their games due to mechanics involved with creating an army itself.
Click to expand...

I love alt history, but i'm more about classical (Persian and Roman history in particular). WW2 does nothing for me, but mechanically it does sound interesting.

I'll finish my current Stellaris playthrough, then play CK2 until gaf gets some MP stellaris together. That's going to be great.
 
They're both excellent. The have aspects that overlap, but each are ultimately very different games.

EU4 is definitely more of a traditional strategy experience - you'll spend much of your time building up your economy, making war, thinking about tech and society wide events. CK2 has those things, but they're removed a few levels, and instead you spend more of your time managing your court, family and the events are usually much more specific to your active character.
 
I've got to say, the UI is bad.
Is this optimized for 720p or something.
I found a bigger font mod which helps.

That LP is also being a big help, paradox really doesn't believe in gradual unlocking of features.
 
I would say EU4 is easier start playing but harder to master.

CK2 is my fav. Like when my lesbian God-Empress of the Norse almost ended my dynasty you get a bit sweaty.
 
Soo, the UI mod i got crashes the game every now and then, i need the updated one.
Seemingly the steam version is out of date, so going to the paradox forums..
Register account, bind cd keys, account gets stuck into registration limbo.
Make new account, can't access mod forum because there's no cd-key (i think?)

.. Can someone grab and mirror the mod in this thread for me, please?
 
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