
MORGAN Jack
by MORGAN Jack - Published 5 months ago
Crusader Kings 3: Roads to Power DLC Review - Paradox's Best?
Playing Crusader Kings 3, you become a medieval noble, dealing with battles and court intrigues. However, the gameplay loop becomes repetitive across locations like Ireland, India, etc.
Expansions add new systems or refine existing ones. Roads To Power, a major expansion for Crusader Kings 3, is the biggest yet.

Roads To Power centers around characters' ambitions and social climbing in the medieval world, with two key focuses. The first is the revamped Byzantine Empire, present in all starting game options.
Byzantium has a new government type, the Administrative Empire. Unlike the Feudal and Clan structures, Administrative governments use Influence to grant holdings. When a titleholder dies, the candidate with the highest succession rating, based on Influence, family power, and the Basileus's opinion, becomes Provincial Governor. This includes the Byzantine Crown, making intrigue and scheming crucial in the Eastern Roman Empire compared to military-focused kingdoms elsewhere.

This new Byzantine gameplay aligns with Crusader Kings' reputation for plots, seduction, and murder. Military aspects remain important, especially against eastern invaders or vengeful Venetians, but success in an Administrative Empire hinges on promoting your family's interests, undermining rivals, and strategic scheming.
An expansion focused on Constantinople, particularly one this enjoyable, would be sufficient for fans. However, the other half of the expansion is the real head-turner. Landless adventurers are now playable, offering a completely new game mode.

Historically, Crusader Kings required holding land to play. Roads To Power breaks this rule, introducing a subgame for landless adventurers that feels like Crusader Kings mixed with Wartales. Using the travel system introduced in Tours And Tournaments, your adventurer can roam the world seeking wealth, fame, and potentially a castle.
The world continues to function as normal, but you can now take on quests, upgrade your camp, hire companions, and impact major events.

Several adventurers in the 1066 starting route have unique story campaigns, allowing them to influence historical events. You could assist a rebellion against William The Conqueror or form a scholarly group as the Umayyad Caliphate collapses.
Even without a unique narrative, you can forge your own. You can fight bandits, become a mercenary, or even rescue damsels in distress, creating a legend for your character.

Adventurer gameplay is more dangerous than ever. You often lack an heir, and a life of adventure can be cut short. In the first twenty minutes as Hereweard of Oslac, I fought three duels to the death, surviving but with heavy injuries after just a year.
Constant travel means increased chances of death. While risky, this potentially allows you to play a full Crusader Kings 3 game in five to ten hours, significantly less than the usual time.
Roads To Power is more than just DLC; it's a true expansion that promises intense gameplay for veterans and could attract newcomers to the game.
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