I'm a casual gamer who's into strategy games and this review will be based on content from what I saw.
This review will consist of two parts: Vanilla and Modded Version. MP will not be discussed as I have not participated in it.


NOTE: CONTAINS SPOILERS BECAUSE GAME MECHANICS WILL BE EXPLAINED!!!!


Vanilla

Pros:
-VERY complex.
-Large map with a day and night system.
-Economy system (Supply and Demand).
-In-game fighting system. Similar to "Total War" series where you field into battle.
-Morale/Food system. Your troops will react to win/loss in battle. Food rationing is required in order to stage seiges and battles. Amount of food consumed are dependent on the size of your troops at daily rate.
-Lots of weapons to choose from. Quality of weapons are also part in-game. Ex: Chipped sword vs Sharp sword. Can be region specific (European vs Asian swords).
- Lots of armor to choose from. Similar mechanics to weapons with quality of armor. Can be region specific ( European vs Asian armor).
- Good for people who enjoy RP (Basically "build your own destiny" type of game).
- No Storyline (Can be good or bad).
- Great for people who are good with their imagination/creative.
- Politics/Lord system. It's best to see that system in-game. Complex mechanics.
- RPG style skill trees for your MC. LOTS to choose from.
- In-game cheat system available. *Disables achievements. (Can be good or bad)
- Companions/Heroes. Basically, your RPG party members besides your expendable troops.
- NOT an easy game. (Can be good or bad).
- MAY get easier late game (Keyword: May).
- Satisfying when you understand the mechanics because trololo.
- Worth $20. Amount of fun and content are priceless.
- Hilarious when you explain to your friends what you did in-game.

CONS:
-NOT an easy game when starting. (Can be good or bad).
-Lots of reading on how to play (Read online guides or you'll be lost).
-Steep learning curve (Read read read!)
-UNFORGIVING start. You start with basic items without any men. You are prone to being mugged and kidnapped from bandits. Personal experience: I was defeated in battle 10 minutes on my first playthrough.
-Graphics (May seem outdated for it's time even on Ultra). Female character NPC look similar to each other. *Mods will improve this!
- Defeat in one battle late game is NOT advised.

END Vanilla review

Modded Version - "Floris"

Pros:
- Everything that were discussed in Vanilla version are expanded upon.
- Game got more complex ^2
- Can kill your prisoners/ You can also get executed (This deserves it's own point).
- Politics expanded where the previous point will feel satisfying/infuriating.
- Mods that can have graphics improvement (Don't expect Skyrim ULTRA graphics tho).
- Mods that improve UI system.
- Improved dialouge.
- Improved battle system.
- Improved appearances.
- More complicated economics (Can be good or bad)
- Mods can toggle features the some were not able to toggle on vanilla.

CONS:
- N/A

END Modded Review

Final Thoughts:
This game is wonderful just by the vanilla itself. The addition of mods greatly increased the replay factor of the game and complexity. I totally believe that the game is worth $20; although, it's better if it's on sale. You will not regret getting this game.
NOTE: This game may require imagination and creativity because lack of story & "outdated" graphics.

I'm a casual gamer who's into strategy games and this review will be based on content from what I saw. This review will consist of two parts: Vanilla and Modded Version. MP will not be discussed as I have not participated in it. NOTE: CONTAINS SPOILERS BECAUSE GAME MECHANICS WILL BE EXPLAINED!!!! Vanilla Pros: -VERY complex. -Large map with a day and night system. -Economy system (Supply and Demand). -In-game fighting system. Similar to "Total War" series where you field into battle. -Morale/Food system. Your troops will react to win/loss in battle. Food rationing is required in order to stage seiges and battles. Amount of food consumed are dependent on the size of your troops at daily rate. -Lots of weapons to choose from. Quality of weapons are also part in-game. Ex: Chipped sword vs Sharp sword. Can be region specific (European vs Asian swords). - Lots of armor to choose from. Similar mechanics to weapons with quality of armor. Can be region specific ( European vs Asian armor). - Good for people who enjoy RP (Basically "build your own destiny" type of game). - No Storyline (Can be good or bad). - Great for people who are good with their imagination/creative. - Politics/Lord system. It's best to see that system in-game. Complex mechanics. - RPG style skill trees for your MC. LOTS to choose from. - In-game cheat system available. *Disables achievements. (Can be good or bad) - Companions/Heroes. Basically, your RPG party members besides your expendable troops. - NOT an easy game. (Can be good or bad). - MAY get easier late game (Keyword: May). - Satisfying when you understand the mechanics because trololo. - Worth $20. Amount of fun and content are priceless. - Hilarious when you explain to your friends what you did in-game. CONS: -NOT an easy game when starting. (Can be good or bad). -Lots of reading on how to play (Read online guides or you'll be lost). -Steep learning curve (Read read read!) -UNFORGIVING start. You start with basic items without any men. You are prone to being mugged and kidnapped from bandits. Personal experience: I was defeated in battle 10 minutes on my first playthrough. -Graphics (May seem outdated for it's time even on Ultra). Female character NPC look similar to each other. *Mods will improve this! - Defeat in one battle late game is NOT advised. END Vanilla review Modded Version - "Floris" Pros: - Everything that were discussed in Vanilla version are expanded upon. - Game got more complex ^2 - Can kill your prisoners/ You can also get executed (This deserves it's own point). - Politics expanded where the previous point will feel satisfying/infuriating. - Mods that can have graphics improvement (Don't expect Skyrim ULTRA graphics tho). - Mods that improve UI system. - Improved dialouge. - Improved battle system. - Improved appearances. - More complicated economics (Can be good or bad) - Mods can toggle features the some were not able to toggle on vanilla. CONS: - N/A END Modded Review Final Thoughts: This game is wonderful just by the vanilla itself. The addition of mods greatly increased the replay factor of the game and complexity. I totally believe that the game is worth $20; although, it's better if it's on sale. You will not regret getting this game. NOTE: This game may require imagination and creativity because lack of story & "outdated" graphics.