A Paradoxical Choice

[mongers]

I thank you guys are remembering CK2 after several DLCs and not the base game.  It became much better with the DLCs, but prior to that? 

Well prior to that it was the sequel to CK so a much better game so I don't remember when it became as good as it is now. The game did come out 13 years ago. Also I don't know how much of the game Mongers has.

By the looks of it just some of the basic first ones:

Expansion - Crusader Kings II: Sword of Islam
       In Library
Expansion - Crusader Kings II: Legacy of Rome
      In Library
Expansion - Crusader Kings II: Sunset Invasion
     In Library
Expansion - Crusader Kings II: The Republic
     In Library
Expansion - Crusader Kings II: The Old Gods
    In Library

[Valmy]

Looks good to me. Though I would be sad not having the Horse Lords with that list. But hey if you never played it with Horse Lords, you wouldn't miss it.

My recollection of CK2 out of the box is that it was an unfinished game that got rushed to market.

That is not my recollection at all, I loved it from day 1 and it was a huge hit back in 2012 when it came out. But, granted, my point of comparison was CK1 which was a very...um...problematic game. I suspect if somebody gave me vanilla CK2 today I would probably agree. But I don't know.

[Barrister]

Just be sure to turn off Sunset Invasion.

[Valmy]

Just be sure to turn off Sunset Invasion.

Yes 

So glad they didn't do any more like that.

[Barrister]

Just be sure to turn off Sunset Invasion.

Yes 

So glad they didn't do any more like that.

Whatever - for the $2 I think it cost (even when new) not a big deal.

Still stupid though.

[celedhring]

Unless he has mods for CK2 (and he hasn't listed any), probably better to go with EU4.

I have never used any mods for CK2

Which mods are you talking about?

Sorry, I misspoke. I meant DLCs.

[Valmy]

Whatever - for the $2 I think it cost (even when new) not a big deal.

Still stupid though.

I think I ended up getting it for basically free as well.

I never use it though.

[Norgy]

EU IV has been patched, re-patched, undergone surgery and is a very decent game.

Only 2.2 hours means you have a learning curve, though. 

[mongers]

EU IV has been patched, re-patched, undergone surgery and is a very decent game.

Only 2.2 hours means you have a learning curve, though. 

Thanks Norgy, I don't doubt your right about that, it wouldn't work on my bog-standard little laptop, so I'll put it on something more powerful. 

[garbon]

EU4 is the best of that lot.

Thanks CC and Tamas, I'll go with your suggestions.

Looking back, if you ignore HOI 1/2 because I've had enough WW2 to last a life time, it's EU 1/2 that I really played the hell out of, so EU4 it is.

Edit:
Just remembered I have their space sim, Starliss? (spelling), obviously haven't played that much either!

Judging by the amount of time played you just don't have as much room in your life for computer gaming.

So I'd be tempted to tell you to fire up EU2.  It's a much simpler game and one you could dive right into.

Or, for a similar reason, Stellaris.  Because you start with just one planet and a couple ships it starts out very simple, and gets more complicated as you expand.

If going for EU2, I'd suggest For The Glory instead. Just saying.