This is a strange game.
Basically - you're taxed with the assignment of creating a name and fortune in the 1400 and onwards.
So this game is primarily an economical game - simulator if you will (although simulation might be taking it too far in my book). However then there is the combat aspect, thieving aspect, political aspect, family aspect etc which provides additional challenges.
The game is fun, but frustrating at times. It takes some time to get into, so don't expect to jump into the game and just play. That in my book is refreshing though, so it is a plus that the game actually expects you to play and decide.
The game can quickly seem tedious, but at the same time it does contain this "just one more turn, then I'll go to bed/work/do the dishes, just one more trip to the market, just one more building improved".
The game is not for everybody, but if you like economical simulators, dashed with inspiration of many other elements - then I'd say try it out.
This game can keep you busy for weeks, if not months. Something rare with games that comes out in this day and age.
The only reason this game is a 4 and not a 5 is that there are (were) room for improvement. The navigation is difficult to master which provides a frustrating element which needed be there, the interface suffers a bit and making trade routes (so far) is not intuitive and at times it seems the carts forget what they were supposed to do.
But the game is definitely worth the price - definitely.
Now excuse me while, I'm off to start another game.