The base game, version 3.2.1, is a masterpiece of emergent storytelling. You do not need DLC to have fun. You can start as a lowly count in France and, through sheer luck and assassination, become the Holy Roman Emperor. That is all in the "free" version.
To get the full 321 experience, you will eventually want these DLCs, but here is how to navigate them for free or cheap: crusader kings ii 321 free
You want 3D characters, a better tutorial, and hook mechanics. Play CK2 (321 free) if: You want depth . CK2 has a massive amount of content that CK3 has not caught up to yet. The base game, version 3
Yes, absolutely, but with one critical distinction: That is all in the "free" version
The "free" aspect is supported by a massive catalog of paid expansions (like The Old Gods or Holy Fury ) that add depth, new religions, and extended timelines.
Game preservation vs. enforcement: a tension