After dipping their toes in the Water with Stellaris, Paradox interactive is bringing the big daddy of grand strategy titles to next-gen consoles.
I don't know whether to be happy for my console Brethern or concerned (maybe a bit of both ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ )
Thread: Crusader Kings III - Next-Gen Announcement Trailer
After dipping their toes in the Water with Stellaris, Paradox interactive is bringing the big daddy of grand strategy titles to next-gen consoles.
I don't know whether to be happy for my console Brethern or concerned (maybe a bit of both ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ )
Wow, did not expect this would ever come to console.
Can't imagine navigating the menus with a controller, but I hope it works well.
The game itself is fantastic.
Can't imagine navigating the menus with a controller, but I hope it works well.
The game itself is fantastic.
I know I'm kind of shocked. I find it amusing the idea of playing it using a controller. I mean I love CK, but that shit requires a pen and paper for taking notes half the time if you're anything like me. Hell, I'll spend half a night just figuring out my opening moves in a campaign regarding configuring my court, the best marriage and alliance options etc. It's a great game and CK3 is a lot easier to wrap your head around versus CKII (which has a learning curve like the north face of the Iger), but the game is, to put it bluntly, dense as fuck to wrap your head around.
Bolivar
Member
- Platforms
I had a Steam Controller profile that worked really well with CK2 and reminded me of playing weird strategy games on my Genesis as a kid. But when it comes to really granular wars with a ton of micromanagement, it really is just better to go to the mouse. I should probably check if CK is any better on that front.
Like Kadayi, I also take absurd notes (31 pages in Word) and can spend a ton of time just analyzing the start and typing how to begin with all the implications of the terrain, development, culture, etc. It would be tough to be away from the PC exclusively but it's good for as many people as possible to get exposed to this awesome franchise. I keep discovering a new appreciation for all the different improvements CK3 brought to the formula.
Like Kadayi, I also take absurd notes (31 pages in Word) and can spend a ton of time just analyzing the start and typing how to begin with all the implications of the terrain, development, culture, etc. It would be tough to be away from the PC exclusively but it's good for as many people as possible to get exposed to this awesome franchise. I keep discovering a new appreciation for all the different improvements CK3 brought to the formula.
They just do a much better job of outlining the systems and making you aware of your options throughout. It's not easier in the sense of dumped down (not at all) it's just easier in terms of how they present the information to you in a more understandable and digestible manner, coupled with better notifications regarding events in your court, family etc. With CK2 I was like
Even a couple of hundred hours in, and then some new DLC comes along and its
CKII by the end of the DLC Cycle was a completely different entity TBH.
They just do a much better job of outlining the systems and making you aware of your options throughout. It's not easier in the sense of dumped down (not at all) it's just easier in terms of how they present the information to you in a more understandable and digestible manner, coupled with better notifications regarding events in your court, family etc. With CK2 I was like
Even a couple of hundred hours in, and then some new DLC comes along and its
CKII by the end of the DLC Cycle was a completely different entity TBH.
I enjoyed base level CK2, but saw the writing on the wall with Paradox DLC and decided to never buy any of it. So my understanding of the game is probably wildly different and out of date than most people.
I'd give CKIII a solid thumbs-up, but if you don't have it already I'd suggest waiting until the upcoming Royal Court DLC comes out as it's really close to release and will introduce a lot of new features.
Bolivar
Member
- Platforms
So I went ahead and crafted a Steam Controller profile for CK3. I had been tweaking it in the last week and I'm really satisfied with where it ended up!
I even made these on-screen radial menus with icons trying to match their corresponding in-game graphics. I put the Function keys on the left track pad with a full L2 pull:
And the different map views on the right trackpad with a full R2 pull:
I've been playing a lot on my TV with surround sound and it's a pretty great experience! The viking songs from the Northern Lords flavor pack really bang on my audio system's concert hall setting. The only downside to me is the UI scaling has limits where the game recommends against scaling things too big, as you start losing information from a lot of the windows. It's not really ideal for sitting further away from the TV on a couch if it's too far back. Hopefully the work they do scaling everything for the console release will make its way back over to PC. I still think PC is ideal, especially when you're in a tough spot and need to multitask a lot of key decisions while micromanaging warfare, but I think this controller experience is fully playable and a really fun alternative way to enjoy the game! Will be interesting to see whether Paradox can do any better on the console version.
I even made these on-screen radial menus with icons trying to match their corresponding in-game graphics. I put the Function keys on the left track pad with a full L2 pull:
And the different map views on the right trackpad with a full R2 pull:
I've been playing a lot on my TV with surround sound and it's a pretty great experience! The viking songs from the Northern Lords flavor pack really bang on my audio system's concert hall setting. The only downside to me is the UI scaling has limits where the game recommends against scaling things too big, as you start losing information from a lot of the windows. It's not really ideal for sitting further away from the TV on a couch if it's too far back. Hopefully the work they do scaling everything for the console release will make its way back over to PC. I still think PC is ideal, especially when you're in a tough spot and need to multitask a lot of key decisions while micromanaging warfare, but I think this controller experience is fully playable and a really fun alternative way to enjoy the game! Will be interesting to see whether Paradox can do any better on the console version.
Last edited:
@Bolivar Nice. I should really dig out my Steam Controller and give it second chance tbh. I originally did get it purely with the though of being able to enjoy a lean-back experience with CKII, but the brutal reality CKIIs terrible UI paid put to that idea, and I found the Xbox controller easier for other games. However, I dare say CK3 is certainly a much more viable proposition in that regard. Are you planning on making your Controller Profile publically available? Realistically with current commitments, I'm not going to be in a position to try it out anytime soon, but I do intend to get back into CKIII once The Royal Court DLC lands.
Ixion
Junior Member
- Platforms
From the top of my head, the game tutorializes things much better and holds your hand by warning you if your playing style is messing you up earlier and hints to possible remedies.
Of course the lack of tacked-on DLC also makes things easier, Stellaris 1.6 was much easier to learn than 3.0 with all the expansions checked.
Grisham
Ensuring Transparency
I'm gonna enjoy seeing my console Brethren wrapping their heads around the sheer madness of CKIII.
Just sat there with a controller in hand two hours weighing up their Earls marriage options.
Also curious to see whether the PC version gets some controller loving at the same time
Last edited:
John Matrix
Member
- Platforms
Niceee! I'm very much looking forward to the Xbox version. I imagine it will come out on GamePass like all the Paradox games do, it's still on PC GamePass I believe.
I played KC3 on PC a bit when it came out but I'm not a big PC player. Plus I think I have carpal tunnel or something from clicking all day at work. Hopefully the controls are good, Paradox did a pretty good job with Stellaris so I'm hopeful.
I played KC3 on PC a bit when it came out but I'm not a big PC player. Plus I think I have carpal tunnel or something from clicking all day at work. Hopefully the controls are good, Paradox did a pretty good job with Stellaris so I'm hopeful.
Yeah, I'm intrigued to see how well it works. I really like CK3, but I'm lean in most of the day with work, so for gaming, I'm preferring a lean-back experience, esp as I have been WFH for near 2 years now (with no end in sight).
Grisham
Ensuring Transparency
Crusader Kings III for Consoles Conquers the Controller, but PC Still Rules
Does Crusader Kings III work on PS5 and Xbox Series X or will you feel like the court jester trying to play with a controller?
wccftech.com