The lifetime of Crusader Kings 2 was definitely marked by a tendency to add more and more features with every new DLC released by Paradox Interactive. Many of these features have not been imported into the sequel, Crusader Kings 3. This may be because the developers felt that these features did not work well, or because they wanted to avoid the game feeling bloated at launch. Less is more.

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A large portion of the player base, however, is of the opinion that more is more. Paradox is taking a new stance on DLC releases, stating that they will go for much larger, substantial additions. Predictably, there are some features that fans are hoping will return with these DLCs.

Updated June 7, 2022 by Ryan Bamsey: When this article was first published, we included Artifacts and Honorary Titles as features we'd like to see in Crusader Kings 3. We won't take credit for it, but those were both added with the Royal Court DLC. We've decided to replace those entries with more features that we miss, just in case.

10 More Map Modes

Crusader Kings 3 Religious map mapmode

In a game like Crusader Kings, being able to take in a lot of information at once is really important. The game uses map modes to make this easier, giving you the option to view de jure empires or the spread of a certain religion with the click of a button.

Crusader Kings 2 had some very useful map modes that are not in Crusader Kings 3, such as the map mode that shows every direct vassal in with a kingdom. While you can still view this information in the most recent game, there is no easy map mode – a choice many players malign.

9 Animal Cultures

Crusader Kings 2 Glitterhoof Sacrifice Event

One of the biggest memes to emerge from Crusader Kings 2's tenure was Glitterhoof. This equine friend is the result of a random event that may happen when your character becomes "insane" through events or inbreeding.

In a reference to Caligula, who made his horse a general, you may be forced to make Glitterhoof, also a horse, your chancellor. CK2's portraits were decided by the culture system, so Glitterhoof spawns with the "Horse" culture - a culture you can get the horse to spread to children they educate. This turns them into horses. You can see where we're going with this.

8 Viceroyalties

Crusader Kings III WILLIAM ROYAL COURT THRONE

A popular late-game strategy for keeping your realm together in Crusader Kings 2 is to grant Viceroyalties instead of full titles. Viceroyalties offer most of the benefits of kingship, with the significant exception of inheritance. Basically, if you're an Emperor and make your brother the Viceroy of a kingdom, you'll get the kingdom back when he dies.

This way, you have far more control over your empire, making it far easier to manage sprawling kingdoms that span the entire world without the risk of noble families becoming too powerful.

7 Fleet Levies

Crusader Kings 3 ship at sea

In Crusader Kings 3, levies (or soldiers) can just march into the water and board ships. It works similar to Civilization 6 since once you have researched Shipbuilding, the units just walk out into the sea and can suddenly sail wherever they like.

Crusader Kings 2, however, utilized fleet levies in addition to normal levies. Coastal provinces provide ships that must be put into action to transport troops. Many players feel that this is the more realistic and balanced option.

6 Societies

Crusader Kings 2 societies menu with the Dominican Order selected

Joining a society in Crusader Kings 2 is a brilliant way to add some flair to a character's personal story. If devout, they could join a monastic order. Tribal leaders or pagans could join warrior lodges. Intrigue-focused characters may even be tempted to join the assassins.

RELATED: War-Winning Strategies In Crusader Kings 3

This is one of the features that people really want to return, as societies can add some much-needed variety to gameplay after sinking so many hours into the game.

5 Shattered World

Crusader Kings 2 Shattered world europe

Shattered World is a fun option to have in games like Crusader Kings. It takes every empire, kingdom, and duchy and shatters them into single counties. Everyone starts on an even playing level and the eventual chaos can be very fun.

While this feature hasn't officially made its way over yet, there are some mods on the Steam Workshop that simulate it well enough such as this one created by Kathe.

4 More Start Dates

Crusader Kings 2 Start Dates selection menu

Gamers love options, that much is easy to grasp. In Crusader Kings, you can begin their games from a range of different dates depending on how long you intend to play as a family, or how they want the political situation of the world to begin.

Currently, you can begin a game in 867 or in 1066. This is a far cry from the range of dates in its predecessor, which ranged from 769 to 1337. While it makes sense that fewer start dates mean it's easier for the developers to create new content that integrates well, it would be nice to have more options.

3 Merchant Republics

Crusader Kings 2 Venice as a Merchant Republic, republic screen

Playing as a Merchant Republic was a complicated way to experience Crusader Kings 2, with players taking control of the head of a family and vie for control of the republic with four other families. It was a new way to play the game and added some variety.

While republics are in Crusader Kings 3, they are currently unplayable. Hopefully, they will be added back as a playable option in a future DLC, possibly one centered around trade mechanics.

2 Sainthood

Crusader Kings 3 religion formation screen

With Crusader Kings 3's robust religion mechanics, it doesn't make sense that sainthood and veneration are not yet in the game. In its predecessor, particularly virtuous and pious characters had a chance of being sainted by a religious leader upon their death. Particularly immoral characters could even become wicked saints!

This would grant that character's bloodline a bonus based on the saint in question. With religion being such a massive part of gameplay it makes sense that this feature will make a return, especially as there are historical characters who already have the Saint trait in the game.

1 The Aztecs

Crusader Kings 2 Aztec Empire in France

Love them or hate them, the Aztecs were quite an iconic inclusion in the life of Crusader Kings 2. Attached to a DLC called The Sunset Invasion, the Aztecs would invade Europe at some point in the game, with thousands of troops and an expansionist mindset.

This DLC was completely ahistorical and quite hated by much of the player base. Despite this, it's an iconic part of Crusader Kings' history and it would be nice to see it come back. Perhaps with some tweaks.

NEXT: Crusader Kings 3: Things That Are Historically Inaccurate