Steam Summer Sale 2016

[Blaster86]

Bought nothing. There were games I wanted, and some I will likely wish I had bought but I know know I am only two-to-three months away from another sale between Origin/Steam/GOG. Too many games too play/finish/re-play and I just gave back in to the Emprah, which is expensive as hell.

[CliffFletcher]

Yeah, CKII is a game where you need to go through the tutorials and read some instructions. You can't just wing it.

If you're a Game of Thrones fan, there's a very cool Westeros mod for CKII.

[Coys1882]

when it comes to PAradox games i would strongly suggest watching some youtube let's play series - the streamers Pewpewchew and Quill18 are great for this.

[Anduril]

Damn, wish I remembered to buy CKII. Guess I'll continue make my own story lines in Civ 5.

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by peter12

It's a very complicated game, particularly since most of us have been acclimatized to the Total War genre where the geomap is just a facade for the battles. In CK2, conquest is a small part of the gameplay.

For instance, last night, playing as the Petty King of Wessec (think SW of England), I managed to fabricate a claim against a Welsh duchy, solidify a claim against one of my own vassals by murdering his heir, and marrying into the royal family of France, which ensured an alliance that forced out my major competitors in England.

This game is about managing relationships - not only within your court and family but also within the larger web of counties, earldoms, duchies, and kingdoms.

I recommend starting off as a smaller kingdom, maybe in Ireland or England, and staying away from the insanity of the continent for awhile.

It took me one restart before I managed to handle the basics. The cool thing is that the game shifts upon each succession as every dynasty head has different traits, and relationships.

You have to think as far ahead in advance as possible, and get through plotting rivals, and random events, but when a plan comes together, oh man is it the most satisfying thing ever.

To add to this, you might want to start as a ruler in 1066 and not a tribal kingdom. Succession laws such as Gavelkind can be a pain in the ### to manage if you are new to the game. You want to play as someone with Tanistry (Irish) or Primogeniture succession Laws so your empire doesn't disintegrate upon your death.

Gavelkind basically breaks up your titles among your children after you die and wrecks your empire. I wouldn't play around much with this until you are more experienced. It has some advantages, but requires you to basically only have 1 son, which can be very risky. Way of Life expansion (seduction focus) is the only way to play Gavelkind without a massive headache.

[CroFlames]

What if your heir is an imbecile? Lol. Your kingdom is hooped

[peter12]

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

To add to this, you might want to start as a ruler in 1066 and not a tribal kingdom. Succession laws such as Gavelkind can be a pain in the ### to manage if you are new to the game. You want to play as someone with Tanistry (Irish) or Primogeniture succession Laws so your empire doesn't disintegrate upon your death.

Gavelkind basically breaks up your titles among your children after you die and wrecks your empire. I wouldn't play around much with this until you are more experienced. It has some advantages, but requires you to basically only have 1 son, which can be very risky. Way of Life expansion (seduction focus) is the only way to play Gavelkind without a massive headache.

Oh but it is a hilarious treat to deal with dynastic struggle after dynastic struggle. I've plotted against so many of half-brothers and sisters. One of my rulers had a bodycount of like 23 family or something.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

What if your heir is an imbecile? Lol. Your kingdom is hooped

This is why the game is so much fun. Sometimes you just have to play damage control for 30 years, and make sure you have an heir well-suited to take power.

[DownInFlames]

I'm glad I didn't buy Doom. GMG has it for $36 after exchange.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by Coys1882

when it comes to PAradox games i would strongly suggest watching some youtube let's play series - the streamers Pewpewchew and Quill18 are great for this.

Make sure you keep an eye on the age of the video you're watching though. This game has changed so much in the last few year, through updates and DLC. I watched one long tutorial series before ever trying the game, only to fire it up and find out pretty much nothing that I'd learned applied to the game in front of me

[MrMastodonFarm]

Prison Architect was part of the sale. Really fun game and the campaign portion of it was shockingly dark. There is a tonne to do in it too.