As a Paradox Fanboy I feel it is my duty to start a thread to discuss the imminent release of this game.
Most of you are probably wondering what the hell I'm talking about, Crusader Kings II is the next grand strategy game being put out by Paradox Interactive. It's somewhat unique because unlike the average grand strategy game, you play not as a country, but as a dynasty. You set out to conquer your neighbours, assassinate your rivals and maybe, just maybe, take back the holy land for the forces of christendom.
If you're thinking "This sounds like Medieval: Total War...", you wouldn't be far off. There are some crucial differences, Crusader Kings has no tactical battles, you only do country management. Crusader Kings is also a lot deeper here, because you have to handle all your feudal relationships, which are often rather ... personal (The Duke of Lorraine probably wants to kill you because you knocked up his wife behind his back...).
In fact, it's entirely possible to acquire more land and power in this game without going to war at all, dynastic succession is a big deal. So if I marry the eldest daughter of the King of Scotland, and I ... ensure all his heirs are dead, then my son via that daughter will inherit both the scottish crown, and my crown!
Of course all your vassals are probably going to be busy trying to bump you off as well...
Anyway, this being a strategy game, you're going to spend all your time staring at images like this:
Spoiler for size:
On that map, you can play as any Christian Count, Duke, King or Emperor that existed between 1066 and ~1360, while the game ends in 1453. So you can play anyone from William of the Conqueror of England to Henry II, count of Lorraine.
Though you often get lots of more personal events:
Spoiler for size:
The game is going to be available over steam, gamersgate and retail later this month, but just yesterday they put out a demo, so we can see what it's like in action.
The demo is only 400 megabytes to download, so give it a go and see what it's like.
I look forward to seeing what you guys think of it. Don't you just love sinking your teeth into a huge complicated strategy game?