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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Interface, Difficult Game, April 22, 2003
This review is from: Stronghold (CD-ROM)
This game has some of the best graphics on a strategy game I've played. I really liked the fact that you can zoom in on your screen. This makes placement of castle walls, etc. much easier. The 'free build' games are fun, as there is no enemy trying to destroy you. The only limiting factors are you and your resources. I've played this for hours on end. The seige based games are fun as well, but difficult. It seems I'm never quite finished building when the enemy attacks. I usually get my [tail] kicked. One thing I liked with this game that didn't like with AOE is that peasants can and do fight when they need to. Even the hunter (who hunts with a bow) will fight when the enemy attacks. The wood gatherers are especially good, as they fight with their axes.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
unusually good!, November 14, 2003
This review is from: Stronghold (CD-ROM)
Unlike other medieval warfare games where castles may be just one of the many buildings available, or you may have many forts and cities, stronghold is truly a "castle sim" You must build just one castle in each mission, but you better make it good! In the campaign stage, you will start by building log forts and just archers and rustic spearmen in your army. You will then be taught mission by mission to build better fortifications of stone, how to gather more types of resources more efficiently and how to keep on the good side of your people. You will also get more advanced troops such as crossbowmen and mounted knights What I really liked about this game was the realism. Unlike other strategy games where the description "strategy" is a misnomer, in Stronghold you are forced to follow strategies that must have been followed in the Middle Ages. Your castle will be realistic and the methods of controlling the populace are also fun and realistic. One small problem I encountered was that the player interface is sometimes hard to get used to. Also, the controls are a bit annoying. For example, you may wish to deselect one group of soldiers and select another, but instead you will end the first group to where the second is. But this can be overcome once you get used to the controls. Any avid strategy gamer must buy this game to get a different perspective on medieval warfare than what Age of Empires and Warcraft offer.
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16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Medieval Splendour, January 14, 2003
This review is from: Stronghold (CD-ROM)
If you are familiar with the 'Lords of the Realm' games then Stronghold will not be a stranger to you. The basic gameplay revolves around the strategic defense and building of a castle. There are different options to choose from in te gameplay. You can start a military or economic campaign or simply pile straight into a predetermind skirmish or invasion. Or simply enter the free build option and create the medieval castle of your dreams! The campaigns have a story to drive them but in reality are quite linear. They are basically running tutorials that help you build up your knowledge of weapon making and food production. The graphics are plain but very detailed, with some delightful little animations. The music and sound effects are very atmospheric and lend themselves beautifully to the medieval atmosphere. As a fan of Lordsof the Realm I was looking forward to this title. I was not disappointed but I was surprised at the linear nature of the missions. Also, the economics are not nearly as complex as LOTR. The castle building interface can be quite fidely at times. There are 4 angles of view and at times it can be difficult to see where to place walls. If you miss a gap the enemy comes straight through so you have to use the 'flatten buildings' view to see all hidden items. To conclude, Stronghold provides a lovely medieval atmosphere and a fair strategic challenge. All the many assets one can use to aid economy and popularity are not always necessary and on occasions they seem superflous to requirements. There are many options and it can be great fun seeing your population increase and your castle grow. An excellent budget buy.
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