
As you continue encountering concepts, you’ll understand more of the game. Read these if you get lost, and use the blue text definitions to remind you what certain keywords and ideas are. When you hover over blue text, it displays important definitions and explanations about game systems. Once you start forming an idea of how you want to play the game, then you’ll naturally begin gravitating toward which systems are worth your attention. Thankfully, to enjoy the game as a beginner, you don’t need to take part in all of them all the time. There are dozens of systems to be aware of at any given time, and it’s helpful to at least be made aware of them. Once you’re done, you can continue playing as the tutorial character or quit and start a fresh game.

Don’t worry about internalizing everything. The tutorial slowly introduces several systems and explains their functions. This opening session mimics the gameplay you’ll experience, but at a snail’s pace. Until then, grab a drink and a snack and play through the tutorial. There’s a lot to learn, but the tutorial makes it easy Image: Paradox Interactive via Polygon If you want to enjoy this game, consider the tutorial mandatory. Right when you load up Crusader Kings 3, it immediately offers to lighten the mental load by running you through a starter scenario. Without a smartly designed tutorial to explain all the mechanics behind the scenes, trying to understand what’s going on can be a challenge. As you make decisions, the game churns out outcomes based on your actions while heaping on dozens of others scenarios that require your reaction. Consider the tutorial mandatoryĬrusader Kings 3 is a series of systems colliding with each other. We’ll explain the fluid nature of the game’s storytelling system and help you make decisions that steer the narrative in a concrete direction of your choosing. In this Crusader Kings 3 beginner’s guide, we’ll introduce you to the series - and genre - from the perspective of a complete beginner. The game’s fun came into full focus only when I learned that the player’s job is to direct the story.

I spent my first few minutes of the game absolutely confused. I came to Crusader Kings 3 because of the interesting stories I read about it - and also it’s free with Xbox Game Pass. The sheer amount of freedom in the game is a welcome aspect for veterans, but that’s not me. There is a lot to do in Crusader Kings 3, and its open-ended design felt overwhelming to this genre newcomer.
