I do seem to CTD a lot with CK2. Even though its up to date on steam (don't think I opped for beta, unless it does it automatically)...maybe it is because I play iron man mode and its a buggy mode. Dunno, but not a big deal. Doesn't crash often.
Also, having TONS of fun as Kingdom of Jerusalem
Its a later start than I usually begin. But in my game (2nd time as KoJ, first was mostly testing it out), the Byzantine emperor's wife died early on...I had a princess who had 6 years old bethroled to the emperor. Who later birthed a child which isn't the heir (think close though)...but is regarded as my blood. Still really cool and leaves it open for me to take over if I want. Which I might try when the emperor
dies. But I'd prefer just to stay as a vassal of Byzantines (which I did as soon as I was able to). I LOVE byzantines and their history (to be honest, more interesting to me than when they were the Roman empire)...so I always "ally" them. If I was a muslim, I'd do the cheat to marry anyone, turn on iron man mode and STILL "ally" byzantines. I know there isn't really official alliances, but I can always swear fealty and become a vassal (dunno if muslims have that with byzantines (I don't see why they wouldn't vassal, but haven't tried), but I'd cheat and force the game or edit the save if not). I could be orcs from middle earth and still want to ally byzantines (BYZANTINE FAN can you tell?
)
But anyway. Joined a war with byzantines pretty quick into the game, gained a province (love holy orders which I gained really early. Which might have been luck? My very first KoJ game I never got them at all within 5 years (or was that bad luck?)). Beat back a jihad (right in the start they jihaded for greece and they got owned), did a crusade back at them. Successful crusade and got good traits from that...going really well.
I think this might be my preferred time period in the game, is when KoJ formed and is relatively new. And a lot of stuff going on. Byzantine emperor is nearing his death though, unless he grows to be really old.
But, a lot more fun (for me) than the other ages I tried. I love it
Then again, maybe because I've gotten lucky...a lot...in my current game lol. Though, I think even with the bit of luck I had (like marrying into the byzantine empire)...its still tons of fun even if I get bad luck. Might be still new and sucky at CK2 but I think this particular time period might be easier (to me anyway). I just hope it doesn't go to shit when the emperor dies.
Btw, should I attempt to create kingdom of isreal? Stay as KoJ? Wait and see what Byzantines do when (if) the emperor dies? He isn't really that old (definitely up there though), but dunno how long he'll end up living.
My main problem is figuring out what to do next...besides the obvious of beating back muslims. Everything is going really good, so maybe I shouldn't do anything right now lol.
(edit: I think when I play next. I'll try to get the Byzantine empire as my own when the current emperor dies. I'll have to do some assassinating, but if I can kill the current heir and put mine in its place...
I think doing that makes sense, especially since I went broke (for a little bit) making all his vassals like me
But I'm more liked by his vassals and court people than he is rofl.)
Also, I end up enjoying this more than the Total War series. Which I ended up auto resolving battles in the end and enjoying the simple campaign map more. CK2 was just hard to get into (huge learning curve for me lol), so I never really played with all the time I've had CK2. But, after giving it a try, its great.
I really enjoy (like I said) the KoJ time period. I should have expanded my horizons than just old god start, which I didn't really have fun that much fun with. Other than KoJ and BYZANTINES I'd probably actually give England a try at some point. Cause I actually DO like England (otherwise that area is kinda boring for me).
But, what I like about CK2 is how personal it all is. Takes a lot of learning, the intrigue and everything...hardest part of the game to learn lol. But I'm pretty much used to it. It isn't just making a huge empire...there is a lot more to it. A lot easier (for me) to get into than the Europa Universalis series they also make. And I'm really looking forward to that next DLC, makes the personal part even better.
Btw, I should have added it...the Muslims ended up making a huge blob at one point (for a very brief period). A well placed assassin ended that
That was cool to see it collapse in on itself lol. Otherwise, I'd have been just overrun lol.