You know, there was a time when I thought riding around in a fictional land, killing ♥♥♥♥ was the tops. That was before I realized I wanted to shoot those same models. I almost cried when I played this game. You get to be a Cossack and shoot people. Truly the best GOAT ever.

Edit: Guide to success in the Pontic-Caspian Steepes
.Acquire mercenaries
.Make some enemies
.Make some friends (Preferably with Poland/Cossacks)
.Start some shennigans in Russia. As a prank.
.Somehow steal Prussia from the Elector Fredrick William
.Make some more enemies

All the while I would ride around and try to collect as much wine, vodka, cabbage, gunpowder, weapons, silk, spices, sausage, and leather. Make sure you always have enough cabbage and sausage for your host of elite professional mercenaries so that your shock cavalry of loyal Hussars and Cossacks can wipe the field.

Have you ever played a game and thought about how awesome it would be to ride around on a horse and kill ♥♥♥♥, but you don't want to pay that extra dosh for the DLC that give you the armor for your horse, or the ability to kill ♥♥♥♥. Well this game is the one for you. It also looks so much better than those other games. Really this is the only game you would ever need. This and the one that is a magical horse adventure.

Edit: I would highly recommend the mod they included as DLC. I got it for free because I've played this game on and off for the last decade. I am far more invested in my Viking Jarl Barry the Bearzerker. His holdings are vast. A trade network that extends to Daneland and Norway. The raids against the English and Irish villages and monestaries. The campaign is neat, gets you invested, but free play is just as fun. Mount and Blade, but replace your horse with your prized ships.

All I can really say is you can play as Prussia and France, if that does not implore you to buy this game then nothing will.