Stronghold - PC

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Stronghold (PC)
Viewed: 2D Isometric, Scrolling Genre:
Strategy: Combat
Media: CD Arcade origin:No
Developer: FireFly Studios Soft. Co.: Take 2
Publishers: Take 2 (GB)
Released: 19 Oct 2001 (GB)
Ratings: 11+
No Accessories: No Accessories

Summary

Microsoft’s Age of Empires games have set many examples in the real-time strategy genre. But it looks like Take 2’s Stronghold for PC is about to give Microsoft a run for its money. Dubbed a ‘castle simulator’, Stronghold looks set to take the lead in the real-time strategy rankings.

Stronghold is set in the medieval era of ancient Europe, in which players must construct a series of buildings to produce their own empire, and expand on the population given to them. Players can then pick fights with neighbouring settlements in a strategy-based battle.

But Stronghold focuses more towards the construction and expansion elements of play. Rather than just acquire loads of people to look after your fort, you must build a stable community, a happy community. Your population will include Lords, Ladies, Jesters, and even animals such as chickens and bears.

That’s not to say the combat element of the game has been neglected. On the contrary, the developers have taken measures to ensure battles are precise. But more interestingly, they have managed to do it without alienating the player with complex statistics screens and massive amounts of info. Each of the missions are goal-orientated, and entail a variety of objectives, both offensive and defensive.

To help build on the already extensive longevity of the game, Stronghold incorporates an enthralling multi-player experience, suitable for up to eight players.

Stronghold is a comprehensive game. It’s no too complex and it offers endless hours of challenging gameplay. A good example of a modern RTS game.