JudasIscariot: I'd say it's damn close to being an RPG: you have statistics, you have choices and their not-so-immediate consequences, and you definitely play a role :D
JDelekto: Some people don't like the managerial part of things, I can't say I blame them.
It's really not that hard :)
1. Don't have a queen unless you know exactly what you're doing. Queens are not popular in CKii's world.
2. Don't have too many powerful dukes and bribe or flatter who you need to bribe or flatter.
3. Find out who doesn't like who and have them in a ruler-subject relationship (duke-vassal) so they are too busy fighting each other instead of you.
4. Play reformed pagan and kick the Pope's butt all day, every day :D