The Showdown: CKII+ vs. HIP

[RhaegarTelcontarTargaryen]

Yes, I am aware there are numerous threads aboud the duel between two probably best mods out there.

I played CKII+ for a long time, and decided to also try and test HIP. To be honest I spend last two days starting games, without any real play, since I can not get to decide which mod is better, and which one I would like to play.

That said, this is NOT a vote for this or that mode topic !!!!

I am aware there are people who only like one, as well as those who like both.. or none.

What I want to know is, in your opinion, what are the best (and worst) features of both mods. Reasons why you like them (or you don't). Your opinion what makes them great. Reasons why you play with them.

So, just to make myself clear once again. This is not a vote / contest / thread to complain or bash one or the other mod.

I will start with my owns:

CKII+ - This changed a bit with conclave, but added much more options to realm and succession laws, fantastic work with fractions. Adds new provinces. I loved how it has only two de jure empires. Great events for characters leading troops in battles. Trade routes all over Europe.

Downsides would probably be weird raiding system (ransoms instead of loot), which is to be addressed in the next versions. Also I kinda like the significant increase in province numbers in HIP.


HIP - I played this one a lot less than CKII+, only a few test games lasting no longer than an hour, so I probably do not know yet even half of the things it has. But I really like the map, the fact that removes India, and ads large number of provinces in Europe. I also like, although sometimes it confuses me, how it changes names of titles and provinces for various cultures. Culturual bonuses submod seems like a great idea.

Downsides for me would be some altered dynasty trees (i realize historians can not agree given the lack of sources, but in that cases might as well leave them unchanged). I also feel that factions are better in CK2+

So, my conclusion would be that it comes down to taste and preference.. but I have both mods installed, and I plan to play different campaigns using both of them, since both add something extra..

What are your opinions?

 

[deadhand13]

I haven't played either for a while, but as memory serves, CK+ gives you better overall game mechanics, while HIP has a lot more flavour. Neither to the exclusion of the other of course. I think for a slower, more RPG sort of game, HIP would be more interesting, while CK+ would serve better for a more standard sort of game style. The other main issue is how you feel about SWMH map, which doesn't yet include all the vanilla map area and isn't going to have a Charlie start date.

 

[dolgion]

Great timing. I have never tried either of these mods, and read up on both of these yesterday. How do these mods impact performance? For example for HIP, I hear that they remove parts of India which should probably make for less computation load, but then, there's also more counties in Europe. Does that mean it balances out? How about CK2+?

 

[Maal]

Culturual bonuses submod seems like a great idea.

About the (my) cultural bonuses submod, it IS available for ck2+ too. In fact i made it for ck2+ even before i made a vanilla version. The zip file has the ck2+ "CK2PlusCulture file" and "CK2PlusCulture.mod" file in it alongside the vanilla, hip+swmh and hip-swmh versions. Just drag the 2 file you want out of the zip. (vanilla doesn't need dragging if it was downloaded via subscribing)

Shameless plug.
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=656356860

Imo, ck2+ has more features and small gameplay details. While HIP also have somes they are mostly hidden and not as in-the-face as the trade route or crowning (the trade++ compatibility is fairly inferior to ck2+ routes). Hip have the better map and UI tho, and i love the nomads in Africa which i hope ck2+ will do as they began to expand Africa.

 

[queermobile]

Great timing. I have never tried either of these mods, and read up on both of these yesterday. How do these mods impact performance? For example for HIP, I hear that they remove parts of India which should probably make for less computation load, but then, there's also more counties in Europe. Does that mean it balances out? How about CK2+?

Both mods run about equally for me but when I play HIP I play with SWMH Lite which removes the part of India that's included in the full map as well as removing Mali. I personally play CK+ more but there's been an integration of a lot of CK+ features into HIP in the past few releases which have definitely upped the replayability of the mod. HIP also has some nice unique features which I rather enjoy such as the ability to grant the "Lucky" trait to different AI characters of your choice so that you can influence the world indirectly -- give it to the ruler of Karen to give a decent chance of seeing a Zoroastrian AI Persian Empire, give it to the Piast duke in 867 to see the rise of Piast Poland, etc etc

 

[kmh42]

I currently trying to achieve all achievements in vanilla and when I got that I will go to one of this two mods.
I would slightly prefer HIP because of the awesome map, even it lags India and Charlie date which is sad. The interface is also quite nice.
I just had a few games with CK+. Had a lot fun playing with this mod but I can't say what's good exactly because it actually shares many features with HIP nower days.

 

[civilizedAustin]

Both mods are excellent. I think there used to be a clear distinction once where CKII+ used to be more mechanic-driven and HIP being focused on historical authenticity and immersion, though lately they have minimized that gap with some great additions.

Unfortunately, I don't play either of them any more because the game has become unbearably slow (so has vanilla, so most likely not their fault).

 

[Kapitalisti]

CK2+ has integrated Ancient Religions Reborn so it wins.

 

[DorlasAnther]

I prefer HIP, because it focuses more on the historical part. SWMH map is also beautiful and as someone, who almost exclusively plays Christians, I love it even more. There is one problem, though: As soon as you get used to it, you will never be able to play on vanilla map.

 

[bontanel]

Since VIET died(may be resurrected though) CK2+ offers a lot more flavour and it also stay true to the original CK2+ mechanic. Overall better performance as well.

 

[elvain]

Unfortunately, I don't play either of them any more because the game has become unbearably slow (so has vanilla, so most likely not their fault).

I think that while still being a little slower than vanilla both of the mods have actually lowered the speed gap they had with vanilla. In fact both teams managed to optimize the game better than PDS did vanilla.

 

[yourworstnightm]

I like CK2+ more because of overhauled game mechanics, but all those HIP flavors...

 

[RhaegarTelcontarTargaryen]

I did not play really long campaigns, but I do not see some significant speed difference between the mods.

VIET Died? How so, wasn't that mod integrated in HIP / CK2.. as I mentioned, haven't played much HIP, so I have no idea...

CK2+ has integrated Ancient Religions Reborn so it wins.

Yes, I would agree that Ck2 has better religions, not just ancient pagan ones, but overall.

I like CK2+ more because of overhauled game mechanics, but all those HIP flavors...

Magically create HIP + CKII+ all in one mod I wish...

 

[Teutonic_Thrash]

VIET Died? How so, wasn't that mod integrated in HIP / CK2.. as I mentioned, haven't played much HIP, so I have no idea...

VIET Immersion is gone from HIP, but VIET Events and CPR remain.

 

[Alpacayak]

I really want to get into CK2+ but I just like HIP flavor events so much better. And it's true that once you play with SWMH you can never go back to vanilla, it just doesn't feel right.

 

[Moarice]

And the winner is: Game of Thrones mod!





Now seriously. I love both of them, and while CK2+ has some features which I just love (compatibility with Better Looking Garbs, crownings, trade routes) I mostly play CK2 in a role-play style, so for me HIP wins. Another problem is this:

As soon as you get used to it, you will never be able to play on vanilla map.

 

[RhaegarTelcontarTargaryen]

I agree 100% with vanilla. I either play CKII+ or HIP... and I do think HIP's SWMH map is the best of them all.

And the winner is: Game of Thrones mod!

I actually agree with this. AGOT mod is what persuaded me to buy CK... but I wanted to talk about historical mods here, but yes, AGOT mod is also one of the great ones.

 

[Arsonik]

I don't play either of them any more because the game has become unbearably slow (so has vanilla, so most likely not their fault).

Why did you rule out your own computer? The game runs significantly better for me then it did before conclave. I bet its your computer. Cheers.

 

[Legionary Guard]

I'd like to say that I prefer HIP to CKII+, but for some reason HIP just lags so bad, so I gotta say CKII+ almost by default. They're both great mods, but CKII wins it for me because it doesn't lag as bad. But then, I run a potato and don't have enough money to upgrade to a better computer, so that's probably part of it.

 

[Semsuddin]

I played both mods, and I can say that HIP mod is better. Map is so amazing, huge with lot of new territories, titles, kingdoms, decisions etc. Huge change to the game, makes it really better. Lot of details. History of almost every kingdom and nation, and the most best thing they detailed Southeastern Europe make it look huge. It's hard to compare it with +mod, it's hard to compare it with any other mod. HIP mod is really best one, for me the number one and they keep improving it with every update. I am not gonna update my CK2 game until they release the next 2.6 version mod.