Crusader Kings II: Legacy of Rome

Release Date: October 16, 2012

Strategy, economic, RTS, the middle ages, war strategy, grand strategy, multiplayer, singleplayer, internet

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The second expansion to Crusader Kings II: Dark Ages, a successful strategy game released in 2012 by Paradox Interactive. As the name suggests, Crusader Kings II: Legacy of Rome concentrates on the legacy left by the Roman Empire. The expansion allows the player to assume the role of the ruler of the Byzantine Empire or its part.

Crusader Kings II: Legacy of Rome for PC is the second (after Sword of Islam) expansion for Crusader Kings II, one of the most interesting strategy games released in 2012. As the name suggests, the title concentrates on the legacy left by the Roman Empire, more specifically on the Byzantine Empire. The title was developed by an in-house studio under Paradox Interactive. The expansion requires the core version of the game to work.

Mechanics

Crusader Kings II: Legacy of Rome for PC allows the player to assume the role of a ruler of the Byzantine Empire or its part. The developers have created maps filled with details and characters with unique personality. A player that plans to test his strength in this place filled with intrigues and betrayals must face such things as the chaos caused by unhappy vassals that are divided into various factions. Despite being divided, the vassals can forget their differences if there is a good occasion for rebelling against the ruler. Dealing with such threats is much harder than defeating rebels from the basic version of the game. Vassals are clever and their combined forces can be very troublesome. The new faction system doesn’t only bring trouble, though. Clever players can take advantage of it. Joining a faction provides many additional influences helpful in politics and defeating rivals.

The military aspect of the game was changed as well. The role of the commanders was strongly increased. Player must select his generals wisely since the traits and abilities of a character can have strong impact on the outcome of the battle. The number of available traits of the commanders was greatly increased. Army mobilization system was simplified and the forces can be now gathered by using main vassals, without having to worry about the opinion of their subjects. What’s more, an option to have permanent mercenary armies was added. Their size is determined by technological level and treasury size of the player.

Religion received some changes as well. Orthodox kingdoms can assign their own patriarchs, making them independent from the influence of the Constantinople. An advanced ruler development system was introduced as well, allowing the player to obtain new traits and abilities. The game also introduces a new set of decisions and events developed for the Byzantium.

Last updated on August 25, 2016

Videos and Screens

[1:11] Crusader Kings II: Legacy of Rome launch trailer