A free game is available for PC gamers on Good Old Games, but not all reviews praise this decision. The game in question is Crusader Kings 2, a classic from Paradox Interactive, which is highly rated on most video game platforms. But the reasons why Crusader Kings 2's score started to dip on GOG.com may be up for debate.
The base game for Crusader Kings 2 came out in 2012. It's a grand strategy game and dynasty simulator where players don't just make decisions on going to war or how to develop the industry and technology of their country, but they can also plot and scheme their way through the game. Gamers follow their dynasty through generations, only losing if their ruler dies without an heir. On release, it already garnered positive reviews and continues to do so by players as well as critics. Crusader Kings 2 also has over 15 expansions and additional content that altogether costs over $300. Because of that Paradox has launched an expansion subscription that costs only about $4 a month, which allows gamers to enjoy all the extra content without having to permanently invest in them.
Paradox has made Crusader Kings 2 free-to-play, while the sequel, Crusader Kings 3 enjoys just as much popularity and no doubt brings in plenty of income. However, not all gamers praise this decision. The reason why players find it disappointing is that only the base game is offered for free, therefore, if someone wants to play the game with all its DLCs then that still would mean a serious financial investment. There were gamers who even gave Crusader Kings 2 negative reviews because of this. Some argue that this is for the detriment of the experience, but there are also plenty of fans of Crusader Kings who stand by the franchise, saying the base game is still enjoyable without anything more added to it.
Paradox Interactive's system of releasing countless DLCs after the base game has been questioned by many. But for every doubter, there are also those who appreciate all the work Paradox puts into its games. By now Paradox's name is intertwined with grand strategy games, and it's undeniable most of its titles offer an in-depth experience of conquest and intrigue. It takes a lot of time to develop such an expansive system, so players would either need to wait even longer for a game that includes all the extra content, or they need to come to terms with the slow release of new additions.
It's also worth mentioning Paradox does also offer free updates that still include extra content for everyone. Considering grand strategy games can be an acquired taste, Crusader Kings 2 with its base game will still be a great adventure for those who are open to it.
Crusader Kings 2 is free-to-play on PC.