# Crusader Kings

Hacker Approved page: https://hackerapproved.com/p/crusader-kings/

7 people recommended Crusader Kings in Hacker News comments, 2 had mixed feelings and 1 criticized it, November 2025 to October 2026. It was recommended in 4 of 12 months, in 6 threads. It does not meet the Hacker Approved badge rule.

**Verdict:** Recommended for its deep medieval dynasty strategy and the stories players create while playing. Critics note weak tutorials and that new versions can corrupt game files.

Summary written by Claude from 10 comments.

## Why people recommend it

- Enjoyable, well-liked long-term game (3 comments in the sample): "I had an absolute blast loading CK2 without a tutorial" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49520635)) "it is still a great game with many fans and players" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49518540)) "i really enjoyed Crusader Kings 2" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48164399))
- Runs fine for players (2 comments in the sample): "I was able for play every single game I tried including" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46472067)) "Crusader Kings works fine IIRC." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45796686))

## What people warn about

- Weak built-in tutorials (1 comment in the sample): "Paradox does tutorials, they just suck immensely and you end up on the forums or wikis anyway." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49518066))
- Updates can corrupt game files (1 comment in the sample): "new versions will corrupt your game files in ways that only subtly reveal themselves" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46427482))

## Other strategy games people recommend

- [Battle for Wesnoth](https://hackerapproved.com/p/battle-for-wesnoth/): 32 recommend, 7 mixed, 3 criticize
- [Sid Meier's Civilization](https://hackerapproved.com/p/civilization/): 17 recommend, 6 mixed, 8 criticize
- [Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri](https://hackerapproved.com/p/alpha-centauri/): 15 recommend, 1 mixed, 0 criticize
- [Heroes of Might and Magic III](https://hackerapproved.com/p/heroes-of-might-and-magic-iii/): 14 recommend, 2 mixed, 2 criticize

## Where to get it

- [Visit the official site](https://www.paradoxinteractive.com:443/our-games/crusader-kings-iii/)

## The badge

A product earns the Hacker Approved badge when at least 10 people recommend it, recommenders outnumber critics at least 2 to 1 (mixed feelings count toward neither side), it was recommended in at least 4 of the 12 months and in at least 5 different threads, and no single thread supplies more than half of the people who recommend it. Health and money products are never badged.

## Cite as

Hacker Approved, "Crusader Kings", https://hackerapproved.com/p/crusader-kings/ (7 recommend, 2 mixed, 1 criticize; Hacker News comments, November 2025 to October 2026).

Counts updated 3 Nov 2026, with data through October 31, 2026.