Crusader Kings III 'Coronations' DLC Criticized for High Price and Sparse Content
Paradox Interactive has once again found itself at the center of player discussion regarding its monetization strategy. The recent release of the 'Coronations' DLC for their popular grand strategy game, Crusader Kings III, has been met with a wave of negative reviews, currently sitting at a 'mostly negative' rating with only 29% positive feedback.
Players are expressing significant disappointment, with many citing the DLC's asking price (approximately $3-4 USD) as too high for the amount of content it delivers. The primary feature of the 'Coronations' pack is, as the name suggests, the introduction of a new coronation event. This grand ceremony allows players to legitimize their new ruler by impressing vassals and subjects with a lavish celebration, making an oath, and choosing a direction for their state's development. Beyond this main event, the DLC also includes a few new advisor and vassal-related events.
Community sentiment is clearly negative. One player's review, humorously condensed to "HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH" before elaborating, points out that for the price, players essentially get "one event." While acknowledging the event itself is "cool" and offers "more opportunities to create an overpowered character (and roleplay)" through post-coronation vows, the overall package feels thin. The review also highlights the extended in-game time taken for these ceremonial events, with NPCs taking half a year to travel to a funeral, then two months for the funeral itself, and another half year to travel to a coronation. The common refrain from players is that while the content is interesting, it feels like something that "should have already been in the game" from the start.
The 'Coronations' DLC is part of Crusader Kings III's fourth year of content support. Looking ahead, Paradox Interactive has plans for a much more substantial expansion titled 'All Under Heaven.' This upcoming DLC is slated to introduce significant strategic elements focused on East Asia, including China and Japan, with each new state boasting unique mechanics and gameplay features.
Crusader Kings III is currently available on PC (Steam, Microsoft Store), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. For those looking to dive into the base game, it is currently on sale with a 50% discount on Steam as part of a political simulators festival.
While 'Coronations' offers a thematic addition to the game, its reception suggests that players expect more for their money. The community will likely be watching closely to see how the more ambitious 'All Under Heaven' expansion is received when it eventually launches.
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