Monarchist

I'm one of the rare breed who ordered a physical (redeemable on Steam) copy of Crusader Kings 2 despite living in North America. The overall quality was par for the course as far as PC games are concerned: standard DVD box with advertising on the reverse of the cover art and glossy manual. Shipped pretty quickly for an international parcel.

Adventure Mode in Dwarf Fortress, hands down. Nothing gets me going like accepting a quest to kill a sand titan from a demon masquerading as a deity (while ruling over an unsuspecting human city), recruiting the town drunk and some peasants, and getting shaken to death by a giant capybara on the journey home.

I would prefer the absence of scaling, as the thrill of encountering enemies much more powerful than yourself by accident or wanton exploration was a big draw for me throughout the Might & Magic series. I am not excessively opposed, however, to the minimal scaling option.

Though I wholeheartedly enjoy the use of live recording with full orchestral accompaniment, it certainly isn't necessary. A small ensemble, replete with virtuoso soloists, should be enough to engage most players & communicate setting-appropriate atmosphere. Besides, most video game scores aren't exactly symphonic masterpieces, so I'm not expecting the kind of emotion or complexity from PE's music that I would from, say, Elgar's Enigma Variations (which also allows, if necessary due to budget issues, technically inferior conductors/ensembles to be retained). Remember, perfection of gameplay & plot are tantamount to the success of this project; score is but a superfluous bell upon our neatly built bicycle for ~73,000.

Welp, finally gave in to that irresistible urge and pledged (and subsequently upped that pledge). I dub myself - Monarchist, Bon Vivant of the Obsidian Order! Now bequeath unto me the key to the wine cellar and allow me to hereafter indulge in the assorted niceties which the Order so zealously, jealously guards.