Is crusader kings worth buying ..looked at it about 10 times now ...
EU4 (Europa Universalis IV) and CK2, both by Paradox, run a similar engine. CK2 is based from 1066 - 14XX. EU4 is kind of a continuation in the timeline, 1444 - 1821.
CK2 is more about your dynasty, marrying the right people for alliances, keeping your vassals happy, plotting/stopping plots, changing crown laws etc. You can't attack people at will generally speaking, you need a legitimate reason to go to war.
EU4 is less about the minute details of your nation, and more about the overall thing.
You have a king, you have heirs, or maybe you are a republic. The better these stats are the more points you can spend on coring territory, or annexing vassals, or teching up. But the stats of your leaders aren't the end of the world.
Likewise your army is under your direct control, you can organise your troops however you want, hire mercs, put a general in charge to improve chances of winning battles etc.
The main focus is on carefully planning out your moves, getting the right alliances etc, and ultimately trying to paint the map your colour, or not if you don't want to, you can stay small and grow big too.
I personally prefer EU4. CK2 has a harder barrier to entry to understand in my opinion.
If you opt for EU4 instead I can help you get started, learn the ropes. You'll be killing Kebab and Baguette in no time
