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WARNING: APPEARANCES CAN BE DECEIVING

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 5 / 17
Date: May 03, 2003
Author: Amazon User

If you are looking for a medieval strategy game like the older
"Lords Of The Realm", or something even remotely linked with
the five-star gameplay of the legendary "Defender of the Crown"
you will be most painfully disappointed.

To begin with, this game has no storyline, no logical sequence
connecting the campaign missions, and most importantly, IT IS
NOT HISTORY-BASED LIKE THE "LORDS OF THE REALM" or the "DEFENDER
OF THE CROWN" WAS.

There is no hint of where exactly in Europe does the player
finds oneself, and there are no glorious campaigns against
the European powers of the Middle Ages. One certainly feels
like one is in some kind of Medieval Limbo, where one is told
to accomplish certain things for no apparent cause.

All in all, the game plays and feels as if it were some sort
of a creation of a group of computer programmers-obviously
fascinated to the extreme with the Middle Ages- to pass their
leisure time by buiding castles and keeps, just for the sake
of building castles and keeps.

To sum it up, the lack of historical campaigns cripples a game
which certainly could have some prospects. Also, the game sound
is distorted and choppy with Yamaha soundcards of the YMF family,
and the developers have done nothing to correct that.

I have bought this game from a UK computer store paying only
one-third of its original value, and I still regret it. Do not
waste your money on this title, but buy instead Stronghold
Crusader, which is a lot better.

Medieval Splendour

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 14 / 17
Date: January 15, 2003
Author: Amazon User

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.

Stronghold worth every penny

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: August 25, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Stronghold is complicated but you will figure it out. It's good if you can read well. The graphics are okay and they are similar to the Baulders Gate game if you have ever seen it. Stronghold is more of a strategy game. It's worth every penny because I find myself wanting to go back and play it for hours. This is a fun game!

da bomb

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: November 01, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Got a demo off the net... and it was, hence the name, DA BOMB! Off the hizzy! te he even for a demo, with 2 levels, 4 difficulty settings, and a tutorial. Graphics r great. and the gameplay is excellent. RTS or city builder fan? u will love it.

Excellent Interface, Difficult Game

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 14 / 14
Date: April 22, 2003
Author: Amazon User

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.

unusually good!

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 11 / 11
Date: November 15, 2003
Author: Amazon User

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.

"A stronghold of a game!"

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 3
Date: March 23, 2004
Author: Amazon User

this game is filled with action. you lay seige to youre foes while defending youre own keep. it not just for the war types either you can also play economic missions and simply deal with the problem of youre people being happy. all in all this is and cool game for the young mind.

Excellent game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: December 31, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Stronghold came out a few years ago, do not let that put you off.

Set in medieval England, this is a simulation game that allows you to fight campaigns, enjoy peaceful campaigns, and even build your own campaigns.

There is enough to this game to keep you busy for years. It is suitable for kids around 10 years old through to adults. We own stronghold 2 as well, and also stronghold crusader. If you are looking for a fantastic game or a fantastic present for someone, I recommend Stronghold and Stronghold Crusader. Because these games are older you should be able to pick them up at a good price.

Basically it is a simulation game where you have to manage the economics of your kingdom. Factories need to be built, farms created and your kingdom has to be protected. It is a great game and after having the game for 5 years we still enjoy playing it.

Gret Game worth many

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: May 01, 2008
Author: Amazon User

This game though released in 2001, and a lot has changed in computer industry, still this game is definitely one of my most favorite, and I always come back to play it. You can build castles, command armies, fee as a Lord in the castle. There is enough humor in it which will greatly lift up your mood, besides AI is not stupid at all. Yes, the graphics are in 2D, but for me personally graphics is not the most important thing, the soul and the wholeness of the game is important. I greatly recommend it! Enjoy!

Immerse Yourself

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 7 / 8
Date: May 21, 2003
Author: Amazon User

This game is fantastic. It's like playing Warcraft but in a much more realistic fashion. No magic or strange beasts. This is downright strategic gameplay at it's best. The graphics are incredible (you can see the trees blowing in the wind!). The micromanagement is fun and not too tedious. I can't wait to finish it, play it again and then get the Crusader follow up.
I only wish it was like the old Stronghold game (does anyone remember that?) based on Dungeons and Dragons, where you could hire four Lords besides yourself of different classes. But I guess you can't have everything. Maybe Take 2 can do something about that in the 3rd version of the game.

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