[TGS2025] Crusader Kings III: All Under Heaven Preview – A Fresh Look at East Asian Strategy

Tokyo Game Show 2025 offered a glimpse into Paradox’s next major expansion for Crusader Kings III, and a 30-minute hands-on session revealed how All Under Heaven will reshape the game’s landscape. Playing as Lu Ci, a vassal under Emperor Yizong of Tang in 867, immediately showed that East Asia introduces mechanics and storytelling that diverge sharply from the traditional European-focused grand strategy experience.

How Events Shape Your Story

The first thing that caught my attention was how quickly the game threw unexpected events at me. One early moment involved a child claiming I was his real father—I had to decide whether to deny it, accept it, or use it to my advantage. But things got more serious fast. During a diplomatic trip, my character got ambushed and robbed, then got lost and eventually died from hunger. Rather than ending the game, the story smoothly continued with my son taking over. This is what makes Crusader Kings special: turning personal moments into ongoing family dramas that keep evolving.

Playing under the Tang Dynasty felt different from the traditional Crusader Kings III experience. The court was filled with ritual and bureaucracy, where reputation mattered just as much as military power. Characters weren’t just power-hungry nobles—they had to deal with Confucian values, family honor, and something called the Mandate of Heaven. Instead of constantly fighting for land, much of my early gameplay focused on surviving the political landscape, following the Emperor’s orders, and staying safe in court. Historical details like exams, merit-based advancement, and the rise and fall of dynasties made the world feel authentic and grounded.

A Bigger Map with New Regions

All Under Heaven expands the game map by over 30%, adding China, Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia. This opens up entirely new areas to explore, conquer, and rule in.

China is built around the Mandate of Heaven system, where you navigate through cycles of stability and chaos. You can aim to become a Hegemon, use the Imperial Examination system based on merit, or manage the Imperial Treasury to fund projects or handle emergencies.

Japan focuses on clan politics and samurai warfare. You can lead your way to becoming a Shogun or Kampaku regent, or work to restore power to the Emperor through a different path.

Southeast Asia uses the Mandala Government system, where rulers balance multiple tributaries. As a Devaraja (god-king), you make choices about what kind of leader you’ll be, with rituals and temples forming the core of your authority.

First Impressions

Even with just 30 minutes of playtime, All Under Heaven showed why Crusader Kings III keeps players hooked. The game isn’t just about winning battles—it’s about watching personal stories turn into multi-generational sagas. Playing as Lu Ci under the Tang Dynasty made me feel like a small piece in a much larger puzzle, constantly reacting to what was happening around me.

The random events kept things unpredictable and interesting. One moment I was deciding whether to claim a child as my own; the next, I was dealing with the aftermath of being robbed and stranded. These situations didn’t feel forced—they felt like natural parts of a larger story.

All Under Heaven is more than just new territory to explore. It brings a fresh way to tell stories and play, making every ruler’s life, every family legacy, and every crisis feel like part of something bigger. With complex events, family struggles, and the push to balance tradition with ambition, the expansion aims to give players plenty of new experiences.

Crusader Kings III: All Under Heaven launches on October 29, 2025. Players interested in fresh storylines and deeper role-playing opportunities should keep an eye on this release.