They're both great titles.  Until CK2 came out, I regularly played Ck1+Deus Vult.  Your particular experience with a session will depend on the realm you select to play; that's the beauty of the game.  I like playing as Ireland (clear geographic boundaries, small enough for my ambitions), or just about anything Orthodox (I love re-writing history).  Playing as an Irish count will be a different experience (as far as opportunities and challenges) compared to playing a Byzantine count, or Holy Roman Duke.  If Ryazan isn't juicing you, find another realm.  Don't worry about getting stuck with one nation, you'll eventually branch out as you get comfortable with the game, and learn more about the history of the period.

Just this morning I finally united Abyssinia, and am now planning on ways to take down the Fatimids.

In short, if you have even an inkling of love for history, and have always wondered "what if..." in history class, Paradox in general, and CK2 in particular, are for you.

CK2 is a fantastic game.  But like EU3 it's pretty complicated to get in to.  There is a really good built in tutorial to help out.

After reading on the forums I read that Ireland is commonly referred to "tutorial island" because you'll start out with just one province and a small court with little threats and it makes it much easier to learn the ins and outs of the game.  I like the Duke of Dublin as you have just one province but you are the heir to a second.  You can then form a duchy or two and get claims on a couple more and eventually form the nation of Ireland.

The thing I had trouble with is this isn't really a wargame.  It's more about your dynasty and the political intrigue of marrying off your kids, keeping the pope happy, getting good people in your court and that stuff.  You can eventually make some war but it's not nearly like EU.  Once you get in that mindset it became a lot easier for me.

I got the game and all DLCs (at the time) during the Steam Summer sales for 75% off.  So it was about $12 for everything.  So I would assume it'll be on a similar sale during the Winter sales.

EU4 next fall!!

Not until late next year, if I recall correctly.  So don't worry about it.

Yeah, but I need to buy the $40 base game first.

Just brace yourselves, the next DLC is Aztec invasion - unprecedented silliness for a Pdox title.

Yea, this one is kinda funny.  I'll probably skip that one.  The devs have said that it's a totally optional DLC and just for fun and isn't counted toward the total number they said they would release.  I guess they have a couple more in the pipeline.

For those who were waiting for a CK2 sale, head over to GamersGate; up to 75% off the series.

75% off Crusader Kings 2 and all DLC's for just a few hours on Steam!  I think it's done at 11pm or midnight EST.  

Got this as result of Steam Sale. Absolutely fantastic gaming experience. The dynamics between all the vassals makes my head hurt. Trying to master keeping them all weak and politicking each other instead of me. This one and all the DLC will keep me busy for years to come. Dynamite game here.

What the heck?!?!?!?!?  All of this waitin' and anticipatin', and you claim to have better things to do than pour hours of your life into a video game?  Some people....

In all seriousness, I understand.  I normally play on weekends or days off.  If I play after I get off work, it would take all of my gaming, reading, and living time

There's always next time.  You'll probably end up with the core + DLC for a significant fraction of what I'll end up paying

If I found myself playing EU or CK1 or Victoria at all I might think I should pick this up.  But I don't, these days.  Tomorrow I'll wish I'd bought it.

Seriously, younguns today...

When WE were playing games in the good olden days of DOOM2 LAN parties, there was no quittin' - all that lugging of computer cases and CRT monitors, coaxial cable madness, IPX/SPX debugging... it took half a day just to setup, mainly because some bugger always brought a broken computer.

And when the madness started, there was no leaving... we just usually put a sign "No, thank you, we are all dead, just go away..." on the door and kept on going until our heads were spinning and our eyes were blood red...

Don't have time - psheeewww, I say. Everyone has 24 hours a day, at least something in life is just.