The new DLC “Road to Power” revitalizes the strategy game Crusader Kings 3. The DLC introduces landless adventurers as playable characters, the Eastern Roman Empire Byzantium with its unique gameplay mechanics, and a game start that fits the film Kingdom of Heaven. Crusader Kings 3 has more concurrent players on Steam than in the last two and a half years. Only at release and once in February 2022 did it have more players. The DLC receives glowing reviews from fans on Steam.
How does the new DLC affect the player numbers of Crusader Kings 3 on Steam? The new DLC Road to Power went live on Steam yesterday at 6 PM German time. By 9 PM, the peak was reached with 47,733 concurrent players on Steam.
The last time Crusader Kings 3 had more players was in February 2022, when the first major DLC “Royal Court” was released, bringing many new features to the core game: After all, Crusader Kings 3 is fundamentally a dynasty simulator where you plan your rise to emperor or pursue other role-playing goals, such as letting your descendants rule over all of Europe.
The new DLC now opens up a completely new way of playing for players, as for the first time in the nearly 25-year history of the game series, you can play as landless adventurers.
DLCs from Paradox are often criticized – but this DLC is loved by Steam users
How is the DLC received? On Steam, the DLC has 93% positive reviews. This is a rarity for DLCs from Paradox, as the developers are often accused of “delivering too small DLCs that should be part of the base game” and charging too much money for it.
However, this is not the case with “Road to Power.” Here, users rave that the DLC is a “return to former glory.”
One reviewer writes on Steam: “Finally, I can play as myself in my favorite game. Wandering through medieval Europe as a drunkard, not knowing where I am or what I’m doing. Awesome.”
Another comments dryly: “4 years after launch, they bring Crusades to a game called Kings of Crusades. 10 out of 10.”
A very nice emotional player report from PC Gamer, where the author recounts the fate of a Chinese scholar who wanders the world and achieves fame and fortune in Byzantium. The first comment on the article from a reader:
As long as I can continue to impregnate my biological sister, as is customary in Crusader Kings 3, I am happy.
Others also rave about the DLC: it’s the best so far. Especially role players will get their money’s worth. The playable characters without land open up many possibilities.
The content and its scope are particularly praised, as in addition to the landless adventurers that allow for a new play style, the Byzantine Empire and the possibility of playing a realm that is no longer feudal but bureaucratic introduce a completely new form of gameplay.
Additionally, the DLC features a new, later start date that transports us to the time of the film “Kingdom of Heaven.” The battle of the leprous King Baldwin (featured image) against the commander of the Saracens, Saladin, rages on.
For many, this is an appealing power fantasy, taking an adventurer to become the emperor of the Roman Empire. We at MeinMMO were not so excited about the DLC as true Vikings, as they come up a little short in the DLC: The new €30 DLC for my favorite game on Steam turns a powerful Viking into a wimp
