Quote Originally Posted by russdm View Post
Are there certain areas that are more enjoyable to play than others? If one were to acquire the game, (as planned), at some point, are there locations that involve more fun? I know some of starting areas, like Ireland, and a couple others for beginners based on reading Let's Play, but are there characters to work with only after you have several games under one's belt?
The Russians are very fun in 1066. Let's set the scene:

An old Grand Duke has split his lands among his children before he has died and made them independent; you can play as any one of them, or the old man himself. Unfortunately, there is some serious border gore. Aside from fixing the gore, all the children want to form Rus or Ruthenia, which requires them to beat each other up. However, they need each other's help in order to defend themselves from all sorts of pagans - ravenous Tengri Cumans to the east, Pechenegs to the south, Suomenusko tribes to the north, and Romuva to the west. Oh, and the Volga Bulgars nearby are Muslims and not happy.

You better work quick on reuniting your family lands and Christianizing the pagans, because a threat is brewing to the East. In two hundred years, Mongols will tear up the steppes with the hooves of a million horses, and after they are finished with the Muslims and the Cumans, they will move on to you. In real life, the Mongol Yoke kept Russia under the invaders' thumbs for two centuries. Will you be able to do better?

Your dynasty - the Ruriks - occupy the third place on the historic high score table, behind only the Capets and Habsburgs. This esteemed family is now in your hands. Don't screw up.