The largest ever Crusader Kings 3 expansion takes us to China, Japan and Southeast Asia this October

Paradox have slapped a release date on Crusader Kings 3’s All Under Heaven DLC, the 4X strategy game’s “largest expansion” ever, which extends its dynastic soap opera to medieval China, Japan and Southeast Asia. The map expansion is coming on 28th October. It’s the first time the series has ventured to these latitudes, which seem a little incompatible with the European crusader premise. It also introduces Japanese language support.

In a disgraceful betrayal of Rock Paper Shotgun’s fine editorial traditions, I have yet to complete a single game of Crusader Kings 3. Every time I feel like trying, somebody says something like “oh great, let us know when your spymaster has an affair with himself”, and I retreat frowning into the bushes. Still, I do like the sound of an expansion that encompasses the river valleys of China, Mount Fuji, and the Great Wall.

“Keep a steady hand on the regional hegemon or manage the tumult of dynastic change in China,” Paradox’s emissary explained to us, before I had him thrown in an iron maiden. “Revere the Yamato emperor and his regent in Japan, or pursue the path of the samurai warlord. Build a monumental temple facility in the jungles of Southeast Asia and compel weaker kingdoms to pay tribute to your greatness.”

There’s more in the press release from game director Alexander Oltner. “We’ve always seen Crusader Kings as the story of the entire medieval world, and you can’t fully tell that story without East Asia,” he comments, rudely undermining my observation up the page about this being an unlikely staging ground for a kingly crusade. Watch your tone, Alexander. We always have an iron maiden going spare.

Let’s all celebrate these fulsome tidings in the traditional medieval style, with a banquet of freshly laid and hard-boiled bulletpoints, covered with saffron and flavoured with cloves.

China: The Mandate of Heaven

• Ascend to the highest tier of power with the new Hegemony title, reigning supreme over all empires in the Chinese region.
• Navigate the Dynastic Cycle, a living system of stability and chaos. Exploit periods of instability to rise to power and reshape the political landscape.
• Explore the Celestial government system, unique to China. Earn Merit through deeds or the Imperial Examinations, gaining favor and influence.
• Manage the Imperial Treasury to fund Great Projects, defend against disasters, or expand your influence with statecraft and might.

Japan: Rise of the Shogunate

• Take control of a Japanese house and forge your destiny. Rise through the intricate courtly system to become a mighty Shogun or Kampaku regent.
• Strengthen your position through alliances, intrigue, and ritual, or unite the houses through the strength of your samurai armies; which path you take is for you to decide.
• Lead the Imperial Yamato house to restore power to the Emperor, ushering in an age of imperial grandeur.
• Experience the rich cultural traditions of Japan, where honor and scandal intertwine, shaping the lives of lords and vassals alike.

Southeast Asia: God-Kings and Temple Empires

• Rule as a Devaraja with the Mandala Government, uniting tributaries into vast, temple-centered empires.
• Pay tribute to the God King by performing Tributary Missions as a Tributary ruler, increasing favor with your subjects.
• Explore the Silk Road, new Starting Bookmarks and Historical Flavor
• Thrive along the expansive Silk Road by profiting from the wealth and innovations of China, even if you are far beyond its borders.
• New historical starting bookmarks bring fresh perspectives and new challenges. Play as iconic characters from the past or forge your unique path.
• Immerse yourself in Asia’s cultural, artistic, and historical nuances with new throne rooms, events, and traditions.

The price tag is just as hefty as the expansion itself – $29.99, £24.99 or €29.99. Alternatively, you can get it in the Crusader Kings III: Chapter IV expansion pass. I’m not sure I’d pay £24.99 for the Great Wall – I hear it was more effective as a psychological deterrent than a literal obstacle. Still, you do you. While you’re sizing up the price tag vs the feature sheet, let us know if you’ve had any more trouble with misbehaving oaths.