Release OrderRecommended
0 / 3 playedThree games in release order.
- 1 Crusader Kings Deus Vult included best.
- 2 Crusader Kings II Widest DLC map.
- 3 Crusader Kings III Current entry. Start here.
About Crusader Kings
Crusader Kings tracks Catholic dynasties from counts to emperors through marriages and crusades. The 2004 original spans 1066 to 1453 with3000 events, CK II in 2012 widens to pagans republics and India with Old Gods runs, and CK III in 2020 rebuilds lifestyles stress and tours with console ports.
Entries stand alone by bookmark with no story order to follow. New players often start with CK III for tutorials and tooltips, or CK II with DLC for the widest map. Expansions belong with their base game rather than apart, since claims and bloodlines stack there.
Good to know
Release order shows dynasties grow from counts to lifestyles, but start with CK III complete where possible. CK II teaches vassal chess best with Old Gods raids, CK III runs cleanest with stress breaks, and the original plays spare now. Campaigns never share heirs, so skip eras freely after one full run. Treat CK III as latest rather than last.
