- Release Year: 2017
- Platforms: Linux, Macintosh, Windows
- Publisher: Paradox Interactive AB
- Genre: Compilation
Description
Crusader Kings II: Ultimate Music Pack is a comprehensive compilation of all previously released music packs for the acclaimed medieval strategy game Crusader Kings II. This bundle enhances the immersive experience of ruling a dynasty across centuries with culturally diverse soundtracks spanning regions like Byzantium, India, the Holy Land, Rus, and more, including thematic variations such as Viking Metal and Orchestral House Lords. Released in 2017 for Windows, Mac, and Linux, it serves as a definitive audio expansion, enriching the game’s atmosphere with historical and fantastical musical styles.
Where to Buy Crusader Kings II: Ultimate Music Pack
Crusader Kings II: Ultimate Music Pack Cheats & Codes
PC
Press the ~ key to open the console. Enter the codes and press Enter to activate.
| Code | Effect |
|---|---|
| age [char-id] +/- (#) | Add or subtract a character’s age. |
| add_learning [char-id] +/- (#) | Add or subtract a character’s learning. |
| add_martial [char-id] +/- (#) | Add or subtract a character’s martial. |
| add_stewardship [char-id] +/- (#) | Add or subtract a character’s stewardship. |
| add_intrigue [char-id] +/- (#) | Add or subtract a character’s intrigue. |
| add_diplomacy [char-id] +/- (#) | Add or subtract a character’s diplomacy. |
| cash | Gain 5000 gold. |
| cash [amount] | Gain a specified amount of gold. |
| observe | Become an observer. |
| culture [culture name] | Change character’s culture. |
| religion [sect name] | Change character’s religion. |
| clear | Clear the console screen. |
| kill [character id] | Kill the specified character. |
| marry_anyone | Marry anyone, including close family. |
| allow_laws | Set any law without voting. |
| piety | Gain 5000 piety. |
| piety [amount] | Gain a specified amount of piety. |
| discover_plots | Plots are always discovered. |
| prestige | Gain 5000 prestige. |
| prestige [amount] | Gain a specified amount of prestige. |
| help | Display ‘No help for you!’ |
| play [character id] | Switch control to the specified character. |
| charinfo 1 | Unlock extra character info. |
| charinfo all | Show debug info for all characters. |
| imprison [prisoner id] [jailer id] | Put a prisoner in a jailer’s dungeon. |
| pollinate [female character id] [male character id] | Impregnate a female character by a male character. |
| event | Remove arbitrary. |
| event 38283 | Remove ill. |
| score [amount] | Adds the specified amount of score. |
| infamy [amount] | Adds the specified amount of infamy. |
| max_tech [province id] | Max out technology in a province. |
| add_artifact [artifact id] [character id] | Add an artifact to a character. |
| get_all_artifacts [character id] | Add all artifacts to a character. |
| destroy_artifact [artifact id] [character id] | Destroy an artifact. |
| add_trait [trait name] [id] | Add a trait to a character. |
| remove_trait [trait name] [id] | Remove a trait from a character. |
| neg_diplo | Make a diplomatic proposal that will be rejected. |
| fow | Toggle fog of war. |
| claim [title] [character id] | Give a character a claim on a title. |
| give_title [title] [character id] | Give a character a title. |
| give_title c_ [county name] [character id] | Give a county. |
| give_title b_ [barony name] [character id] | Give a barony. |
| give_title d_ [duchy name] [character id] | Give a duchy. |
| give_title k_ [kingdom name] [character id] | Give a kingdom. |
| give_title e_ [empire name] [character id] | Give an empire. |
| event 450 [female character id] | Initiate a mistress event. |
| neg_opinion [hater id] [hated id] | Make one character hate another. |
| nextsong | Change the music. |
| debug_mode | Toggle debug mode. |
| quickbuild | Build buildings instantly. |
| succ [succession type] | Change succession law. |
| techpoints | Gain 1000 tech points. |
| population [amount] | Change the population. |
| manpower | Change manpower. |
| revolt [province id] | Cause a revolt. |
| plots_known | Toggle plot visibility. |
| real_fathers | Toggle true fathers in the family tree. |
| hello [character id] | Show a character’s page. |
| move [character id] | Move a character to your court. |
| banish [character id] | Banish a character. |
Crusader Kings II: Ultimate Music Pack: Review
Introduction
In the pantheon of grand strategy games, Crusader Kings II stands as a titan, renowned for its intricate dynastic simulation and sprawling medieval sandbox. Yet beneath its political intrigue and blood-soaked conquests lies an oft-overlooked pillar of its immersion: sound design. The Ultimate Music Pack, released in 2017, compiles 14 music DLCs into a singular auditory experience, promising to deepen the game’s atmospheric richness. This review argues that while the pack is a treasure trove for completionists and audiophiles, its value is uneven—oscillating between transcendent cultural authenticity and jarring tonal mismatches.
Development History & Context
Developed by Paradox Development Studio and published by Paradox Interactive, the Ultimate Music Pack arrived five years after CKII’s 2012 launch, reflecting Paradox’s post-release monetization strategy. By 2017, the game had amassed a vast library of expansions and cosmetic DLCs, with music packs serving as low-cost enhancements. The studio’s vision was clear: to sonically differentiate regions and religions, leveraging music as a world-building tool.
Technologically, the packs faced few constraints—audio files were lightweight and easily integrated into the Clausewitz Engine. However, the decision to include genre-bending tracks like Viking Metal and Orchestral House Lords sparked debate. These releases coincided with a broader industry trend of “content bloat,” where studios monetized niche player preferences.
Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive
The Ultimate Music Pack lacks a traditional narrative but constructs a sonic tapestry of medieval Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Each pack corresponds to in-game cultures or religions:
- Hymns of Abraham and Songs of Faith evoke Christian liturgy through Latin chants.
- Songs of India and Songs of the Caliph incorporate sitar and oud, grounding players in non-European realms.
- Viking Metal and Full Plate Metal juxtapose historical motifs with modern guitar riffs, straddling the line between immersion and anachronism.
Thematically, the collection grapples with cultural authenticity versus creative experimentation. Tracks like Hymns to the Old Gods (a somber ode to Norse paganism) succeed in reinforcing the game’s focus on faith and dynasty. Conversely, Orchestral House Lords—a fusion of EDM beats and medieval instrumentation—feels dissonant, undermining the game’s solemn tone.
Gameplay Mechanics & Systems
As a cosmetic DLC, the Ultimate Music Pack doesn’t alter core gameplay. However, its integration into CKII’s systems is nuanced:
- Dynamic Playback: Tracks are context-sensitive, triggered by the player’s culture, religion, or location. A Norse ruler conquering England might hear Viking Metal during raids but switch to Songs of Albion while administering their new domain.
- Customization: Players can disable culture-specific playback, allowing all tracks to shuffle freely—a boon for those seeking variety.
- UI Accessibility: Music volume sliders and pack-specific toggles are buried in settings, a minor but persistent UI oversight.
The pack’s greatest flaw is its inconsistent curation. While Songs of Byzantium and Songs of the Rus blend seamlessly with the base soundtrack, Pagan Fury’s “warrior metal” feels incongruous, more suited to Skyrim than a contemplative strategy game.
World-Building, Art & Sound
Sound design is CKII’s unsung hero, and the Ultimate Music Pack amplifies this. Standouts include:
- Songs of the Steppes: Featuring throat singing and horsehair fiddles, it immerses players in the Mongol Empire’s nomadic grandeur.
- Songs of Byzantium: Lyre and choir evoke Constantinople’s opulence, reinforcing the Byzantine Empire’s spiritual and political weight.
- Hymns of Revelation: A haunting choral suite that underscores the Crusades’ apocalyptic stakes.
Yet the pack’s artistic vision falters with genre experiments. Orchestral House Lords and Viking Metal (despite its cult appeal) clash with the game’s atmosphere, resembling a “medieval fantasy rave” more than a historical epic.
Reception & Legacy
Critics largely ignored the Ultimate Music Pack, but player reactions—gleaned from Reddit and Steam—reveal a polarized audience:
- Praise: Fans laud packs like Songs of India and Hymns of Abraham for expanding the game’s cultural depth. A Reddit user praised Songs of the Steppes as “essential for Horse Lords enthusiasts.”
- Criticism: Many derided Orchestral House Lords and Pagan Fury as “out-of-place cash grabs.” The pack’s $24.99 launch price (frequently discounted to $12.49) drew ire for perceived overmonetization.
Legacy-wise, the pack solidified Paradox’s reputation for piecemeal DLC strategies, later refined in Crusader Kings III. Its emphasis on regional authenticity influenced successors like Europa Universalis IV’s Domination expansion.
Conclusion
The Crusader Kings II: Ultimate Music Pack is a flawed yet fascinating artifact. For history buffs and completionists, it offers unparalleled auditory diversity, enriching playthroughs with region-specific scores. Yet its missteps—genre experiments and sporadic tonal clashes—highlight the risks of DLC sprawl.
In the annals of video game soundtracks, it stands as a testament to ambition over cohesion—a collection that soars in its authenticity but stumbles in its reach. For $12.49 on sale, it’s a worthy pickup for devout CKII players; at full price, only the most ardent audiophiles need apply.
Final Verdict: A symphony of hits and misses, best enjoyed with selective playback settings.