I am not a fan of the EU series of games. to me they're just a grind with no goal in sight. I hope this one isn't the same.

Probably will have some kind of score system, most paradox games do BUT how I enjoy paradox games is I make my own goals and don't pay attention to the score at all. It will have a lot in coming with EU and Crusader Kings but it's also it's own game. Paradox does a good job of having some similarities but also then doing different things with each of their games.

I am not sure, but it sounds like you are telling me "no".

My goals are:
1 Stabalise my holdings and prioritise: politics, economic growth, military power and diplomacy and trade.
2 Build armies in border provinces where the greatest threats are. Small armies act as buffers to delay an invation.
3 Create a reasonably sized army in a central province to react to border clashes and intercept invading enemies.
4 Keep your friends close and you political emenies closer.

They will change a you build your empire.
Expand or die!