A great strategy/SIM game. Not the massive spreadsheet gameplay that other more invested stragy games can be, but that works in its favour. Very very very indept mechanics regarding personal relations between the character and the world. As you play as a ruler, it's the conections you make that change the world, not just the armies you move around and the economy you grow. Straigh up befriending and romancing your rivals, as well as setting up strategic marrieges has as much impact as large scale wars, as you can set the next generation that you play to be heir to rival kingdoms or empires. Very fun, playing in difrent areas of the world keeps it fresh, as difrent cultures and religions change up the gameplay. The problem is that sometimes its too much to keep track of, certain events happen and you don't know if its because someone is a craven traitor or because the game AI did a opsie or because you stole a dude's cheese 15 years ago.

The plagues took all the fun and relaxation out of the game, they deliberately target the player character and their family. It’s utterly ridiculous idk who thought that was a good idea to make the game infuriating.

The learning curve on these Paradox games is crazy, but if you stick with it it's very rewarding.