Given that most big games are made by Westerners for Westerners, we don’t often get the chance to assume the role of a serious, proper Islamic character. And no, Ubisoft, a fairytale, clichéd ideal of a Persian Prince doesn’t count.
So it’s awesome seeing Paradox give Crusader Kings II players the chance to do just that with an upcoming expansion for the game called Sword of Islam.
The Islamic factions, once walled off as unplayable in the game (and more often than not the enemy, given the time period involved), are now there to be played, with Paradox going the full authenticity route by changing how the game’s titles, marriages and laws work to better accomodate the differences between Christian and Muslim realms.
The map has also been expanded to include more of the Middle East and Eurasia as well.
It’s out next month and will cost $US10.
Those who’d prefer Westeros to the Middle East, well, there’s something out now for you as well.
SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY!
Respect.
Paradox just do shit right.
What about Medieval Total War? It looks and plays similar and did it long before.
Except that they don't really play that similarly, and CK contains a level of detail and nuance that no Total War game yet produced can match.
but TW has much better combat
If you're playing Crusader Kings for the combat, you're doing it wrong.
Actually, most RTS game dealing with the Crusades allows you to take the field from both sides. Stronghold Crusader, Medieval Total War, The King's Crusade, just to name a few.
Age of Empires II crusades campaign is all from Saladin's perspective.