VideoGame Difficult, but Awesome
This game doesn't have a learning curve so much as the Learning Cliffs of Insanity. You will spend at least a few sessions getting your ass kicked by bigger realms, and the tutorial isn't good for much besides explaining some of the basic principles. This is not a game with an easy mode and you need to think creatively and plan ahead.
BUT! Once you really know what you're doing and have good people at your back (free hint: Jewish councillors, they're good deals for Christian and Muslim rulers, especially if you can convert them to your religion to negate the infidel opinion penalty), you can slowly turn your (for example) two-county tribe in the ass end of Scotland into a world power, and even carry it over to Europa Universalis IV if you play long enough. It's addictive as hell.
VideoGame Very hard to pick up, impossible to put down.
(This review is for Crusader Kings II only)
As a long time player of Europa Universalis IV I was naturally drawn to another popular grand strategy game from Paradox.
I played this game for probably less than an hour when I first got it before giving up in frustration, because like a lot of Paradox games the mechanics are very complex and the tutorials unhelpful bordering on obtuse. I couldn't work out why anything worked the way it did and got fed up.
My interest was reignited by a highly detailed mod called Elder Kings which changes the setting to that of the Elder Scrolls franchise. With more determination to experience the game I finally began to understand how the game works and now it has dethroned EUIV as my favourite strategy game.
Rather than playing as a nation you play as a character, be that a Count, Duke, King or Emperor. These characters have very complex relationships with their families, vassals and courtiers which creates a web of intrigue and politics that means no two games will play out the same. Keeping your dynasty alive and powerful is a delicate balancing act; an Emperor one month can be overthrown and made a lowly Count the next and vice versa. Dynasties rise and fall, sometimes re-emerging and seizing back power.
This constant power play stops the game becoming boring when you grow too powerful. Rather than reaching the top and having nothing to do but slowly chip away at the rest of the world forever, the entire status quo can change overnight and affect your immediate goals. It is far more important to create a legacy for your dynasty than to conquer the world (though this is possible with a lot of luck and grit.) Wondering what will happen next is part of what makes it so addictive.
My main criticism of this game, apart from the confusing mechanics, is the plotting system. Currently plots require backers and power which is affected by certain factors before it will randomly fire after a time. You have no control over this and after the twenty-fifth time your plot to kill your wicked uncle fails and despite being caught in the act every time you suffer no meaningful penalty it starts to feel pointless. I wish there were more high-risk, high reward actions you could take in your schemes to make them more interesting.
Otherwise, if you can get past the initial frustration you will find CKII to be a very rewarding experience.