If you like real time strategy this game is definitely worth it, on sale. I say that because this game can become VERY pricey if not on sale. With that said you can micro manage as much as you want or don't but you'll enjoy becoming a global power and learning along the way. Its a learning curve though it is not a game that you can just pick up and master in a few hours, you have to learn how to play it, learn its intricacies. Learn what nations act which way, what best way to go about the game.

The music in it is very enjoyable too, the graphics even though its an RTS are real nice. One gripe about the game and its not so much about the game is make sure if you are playing multiplayer with a friend that you and your friend got solid internet connections because it slows how quick you can make the game go. I am by no means a great player at it, and it does frustrate me but its still a great game and my friend who is amazing at it also has fun so good player or not you'll love it.

With that being said, the complaints about the DLC and pricing are valid. You do not need all the DLC if you know someone who has it and been playing a long time look at their DLC you'll get the idea of the mandatory ones. The empire building DLC is mostly what you'll want to get to improve the game, with some stuff in the DLC making the game tedious and adding more problems for you building your nation properly. Although it does make for more realism, but not real necessary like for example, Estates. Its just another thing in the game that you have to appease or you get a negative modifier in the game. As I said above the game is worth playing and learning, the replayability is off the charts, especially with the updating they do, which leads to another gripe. If you mod the game, your mods get out of date often due to how often they update the game but the vanilla game is a great game regardless.

Would I recommend most definitely.

If you like real time strategy this game is definitely worth it, on sale. I say that because this game can become VERY pricey if not on sale. With that said you can micro manage as much as you want or don't but you'll enjoy becoming a global power and learning along the way. Its a learning curve though it is not a game that you can just pick up and master in a few hours, you have to learn how to play it, learn its intricacies. Learn what nations act which way, what best way to go about the game. The music in it is very enjoyable too, the graphics even though its an RTS are real nice. One gripe about the game and its not so much about the game is make sure if you are playing multiplayer with a friend that you and your friend got solid internet connections because it slows how quick you can make the game go. I am by no means a great player at it, and it does frustrate me but its still a great game and my friend who is amazing at it also has fun so good player or not you'll love it. With that being said, the complaints about the DLC and pricing are valid. You do not need all the DLC if you know someone who has it and been playing a long time look at their DLC you'll get the idea of the mandatory ones. The empire building DLC is mostly what you'll want to get to improve the game, with some stuff in the DLC making the game tedious and adding more problems for you building your nation properly. Although it does make for more realism, but not real necessary like for example, Estates. Its just another thing in the game that you have to appease or you get a negative modifier in the game. As I said above the game is worth playing and learning, the replayability is off the charts, especially with the updating they do, which leads to another gripe. If you mod the game, your mods get out of date often due to how often they update the game but the vanilla game is a great game regardless. Would I recommend most definitely.