Stronghold

 PC
User Score
8.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 398 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 353 out of 398
  2. Mixed: 38 out of 398
  3. Negative: 7 out of 398
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  1. alanas4201
    Oct 21, 2013
    10
    My old favorite spend every day playing multiplayer at home after school good memories. glad they bring back these great games Games is hard and challenging mission better than crusader, but multiplayer went back a bit.
  2. NMan7496
    Sep 23, 2014
    10
    Bottom line, one of the best RTS games I've played. The campaign is engaging, there is a lot to do in free build, also with HD you have access to some maps created by other players which is pretty awesome. This is still tied with the original Stronghold Crusader for being the best in the series (I am writing this right after the release of Crusader II). This is Firefly's masterpiece,Bottom line, one of the best RTS games I've played. The campaign is engaging, there is a lot to do in free build, also with HD you have access to some maps created by other players which is pretty awesome. This is still tied with the original Stronghold Crusader for being the best in the series (I am writing this right after the release of Crusader II). This is Firefly's masterpiece, and I am saying this almost 13 years after its release. My one objection is, if you finish the Military and Economic Campaigns, there is not much else to do except free build and sieges, but Firefly fixed that with the addition of skirmishes with Crusader. But even with that objection I have been replaying the military campaign a lot, because it is that engaging. So, in conclusion, this is an amazing game, and makes the Stronghold Pack from Steam (Stronghold 1, 2, Legends, Crusader, and Crusader Extreme) an amazing deal.… Expand
  3. Vonathan
    Jul 13, 2014
    10
    One of the best RTS games of all time. Stronghold offers a somewhat complex gameplay experience as resource gathering and processing is done in greater detail than in most of the other RTS games. Never have I played an RTS where I've had more fun developing my economy. The only negative thing I can really say is the lack of being able to play against an AI opponent like in the expansionOne of the best RTS games of all time. Stronghold offers a somewhat complex gameplay experience as resource gathering and processing is done in greater detail than in most of the other RTS games. Never have I played an RTS where I've had more fun developing my economy. The only negative thing I can really say is the lack of being able to play against an AI opponent like in the expansion Stronghold: Crusader. And while there could have been a bit larger variety in the troops of the game, the game offers a fun and challenging combat system. You can defend your castle with things like moats, pit traps and boiling pitch which you dump on your enemies from the top of your walls.

    Outside of the gameplay Stronghold shines even brighter. For a game that is over 10 years old, the graphics aren't dated and it has one of the best soundtracks I've ever heard. One of those games where you just want to play it because of the great atmosphere.    … Expand
  4. JamesD.
    Mar 18, 2003
    6
    Cool game, which is addictive for a while, but eventually gets stale. Most levels "de-volve" into testing the pc's AI, and exploiting it's glitches. The resource management is average at best, and the isometric view can be very frustrating at times, especially when you leave a tiny "invisible" gap in your castle wall that the enemy instantly bee lines to from miles away. That Cool game, which is addictive for a while, but eventually gets stale. Most levels "de-volve" into testing the pc's AI, and exploiting it's glitches. The resource management is average at best, and the isometric view can be very frustrating at times, especially when you leave a tiny "invisible" gap in your castle wall that the enemy instantly bee lines to from miles away. That said, if you don't mind restarting levels often, the game can be somewhat fun.… Expand
  5. iddqd4
    Jan 27, 2018
    8
    Вы молодой лорд, ваша задача отбить страну, подавить бунт. Стратегия удачно сочетающая в себе как и экономическую часть, так и военную.
  6. SsaMlol
    Oct 1, 2014
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. great game......i love this game.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................… Expand
  7. BadReloader
    Jul 28, 2015
    10
    Ok guys, please bow to one of the greatest games on Earth. I'm not much into the reviewing thing, but this game made me go: "Ok, I have to, I must, endorse it." This castle sim is not just the average simulator: it's a complex and prefect mix of all the possible aspects a medieval game needs: immersion, realism, sarcasm, playability, longevity. Seriously: I'm a medieval times addict andOk guys, please bow to one of the greatest games on Earth. I'm not much into the reviewing thing, but this game made me go: "Ok, I have to, I must, endorse it." This castle sim is not just the average simulator: it's a complex and prefect mix of all the possible aspects a medieval game needs: immersion, realism, sarcasm, playability, longevity. Seriously: I'm a medieval times addict and love pc gaming, I've tried a lot of medieval pc games and this one, even if its graphics are not that flabbergasting 3D thing, is among the best I found. Why?

    1) Immersion.
    If I had to be sincere, in, say, 20 years of PC gaming, this is, to me, the most successful game as to immersion. From music and sounds (often sadly neglected in other games), preciously crafted by Robert Euvino (a great modern composer, who used a mix of ancient medieval instruments and everyday working tools to recreate ingame effects and one of the most evocative soundtracks ever) to the GUI (skillfully crafted to reflect the medieval society and its rules), to the characterization of the peasants (reflecting all of the spectrum of medieval common sense and its contradictions, with a slight accent on sarcasm) and the choice of colors (the color palette they used captures pretty much the flavour of those times).
    Believe me, you won't find any other game much immersive than this.

    2) Realism.
    Here we have no inventions nor have we the feeling they chased the spectacle at all costs. They sticked to reality, and here you go: a game where you have men with low morale and a spiky staff, armed just with their courage; ye have plenty of archers who will die through the flames, while the few armored troops you can afford (either for you're poor and for the lack of iron) slowly advance, under the weight of their cuirasses. No movie-like units with weird anachronistic equipment (like the elephant with a mounted bombard in pseudo-historical Medieval II total war), no ultra-heroic stats or shiny glitsy gears coming from a fantasy world. You have the fatigue, you have wood and rock and a little of iron if God wills. You have hope and courage 'cause hey! this is not Hollywood - this is medieval times. For real. Here you will hear you attendant advising you that the near villages report an enemy approaching. Here you will hear the babies cry and their mothers taking them away, frightened by the incoming army, disappearing in their poor huts as the enemy approaches. You will see the hunters fight back the enemy even if they're not soldiers, you will see their hounds attack as well, you will experience the advantage of an elevated shooting position and that of the cover you get thanks to the apple trees. I could go on and on for ages.
    This was a game made by people who really know what Middle Ages had been. (It's not a surprise it was made in Europe, where the Roman Empire and its fall took place.)

    3) Sarcasm and irony.
    In Stronghold 1 you will experience a crude world, as it necessarily was in medieval times, constantly sugarcoated by latent irony, by wisely chosen punchlines on sentences and exclamations. Everything has been thought to ease and balance the crudeness of the Middle Ages, and sums up to a great feeling. You can feel it's a game, but still you feel it's not.

    4) Playability, longevity.
    You can have single player skirmishes with decent AI. You can have multiplayer matches. You can have eye-candy building matches, where all you fear are fires, famines and pestilences. You can build nearly whatever you want: the walls of your castle are totally in the hands of your creativity. Every brick can change the shape, every shape can impede your enemies in their path to your keep. You can even decide to put battlements or not. Forget about 3D graphics: this kind of games never truly needed 'em. Here you have the forest growing (and possibly invading you settlement), you have the fauna reproducing: you'll see the effects of blindly pressing on resource collection against trying to coexist with Mother Nature: will you try to dominate her (and condemn yourself to sour economic problems) or will you be annihilated by her slow but relentless power?

    5) Yeah but what about WAR?
    Ah, the neighbors. This game has been the first one to implement a full and realistic siege equipment. I mean: you have siege ladders, siege towers, catapults, trebuchets, ballistas, great siege shields and so on. The enemy dag a moat around his castle? You can always send your low-armoured troops to fill it up while being shot by the enemy archers. Your engineers fail to aim properly to the walls? You can send your sappers to mine a gallery to make the walls crumble. (Look out, though, as the galleries may collapse as well - and there's no insurance on workers...) Trying to ram down the gates? Good idea, but beware of the boiling oil they're pouring from above! And... what about traps?

    Guys, if you're truly into the Medieval thing, give it a try. It's a must-have. It's definitely worth while.    … Expand
  8. Nekellor
    Aug 1, 2018
    7
    Интересная система развития замка. Реалистичная боевая система. Интересная экономика. Красивая музыка. Дух средневековья. Неплохая сюжетка. А самое главная - полная воля для креатива в партиях.
  9. ColinP.
    May 13, 2003
    10
    It rocks!
  10. Mursu
    Nov 26, 2012
    9
    I just can't wrap my head around some people giving this game such a low score. The musics are really epic and fit the tone of the game really nicely. The battles get huge towards the end of the campaign. One of my favorite RTSs of all time.
  11. Bolrakk
    Sep 22, 2014
    10
    This game set the benchmark for Sandbox RTS games. Sadly I have yet to see any game surpass its standards.

    The campaign is brilliant and its multiplayer features, however the sandbox mode can keep you busy for months and that's only on one map!

    10/10 cult classic
  12. dryerlint
    Aug 31, 2015
    10
    There's just something about this game that touches my heart. The way it takes you from being just another lord of a small holding, sending out hunters to feed your demesne, to the leader of a full blow loyalist rebellion. Dumping oil on people is pretty fun too. RIP in peace Lord Woolsack.
  13. Akelaar
    Dec 13, 2012
    10
    Legendary game with amazing detailed processes. This is what really deserves to be called economic development in RTS. Resource gathering/food production details are incomparable. Old RTS that has deserved its place in hall of fame.
  14. daarthreview1
    Dec 8, 2011
    10
    great game...........................................................................................................................................................................
  15. ValentinoW.
    Feb 1, 2002
    10
    This game is the best.
  16. RoderickC.
    Sep 29, 2003
    9
    One of the best strategy games I ever played.
  17. TheSandmann
    Dec 5, 2001
    9
    Pikemen ready! I love the battlecry of my troops when they pass through the gates. A must have.
  18. JamesH.
    Feb 18, 2002
    10
    Very good, needs more cheats!
  19. Carsten
    Mar 29, 2002
    10
    Great combination of fun, strategy, and education. A lot of opportunities when deciding your strategy.
  20. Sungwing
    Jul 9, 2002
    9
    Great game with realistic graphics. Bad thing is no different unit formation. Otherwise its a must have.
  21. BonifacioT.Jr
    Oct 29, 2003
    8
    Great game and lots of fun. Controls are easy to learn. The only bad part is that as it was said before the castle walls can be tricky at times. It can be easy to miss a spot and leave a gap in the castle wall.
  22. JoeM.
    Jan 17, 2002
    9
    Great game and lots of fun.
  23. llamma5
    Jan 3, 2002
    7
    Good. Game unit control is too simple. About time a game replaced "Lords of the Realm 2."
  24. [Anonymous]
    May 15, 2002
    10
    Lost many hours of sleep over this kick A** Game.
  25. AdeC.
    Jun 7, 2002
    10
    I cant tack my face from the screen "dead" class military missions as good as Grand Theft Auto 3
  26. DennisDunk
    Jun 21, 2003
    9
    It's a good game and can keep you on your pc for ages, but i feel that when you have completed the campaigns, we should get 1 extra and a lot more things to achive!!!!
  27. ChrisS.
    Mar 9, 2004
    9
    Good multiplayer - Nuff said!
  28. NineteenShadow
    Dec 11, 2002
    10
    Very addictive and the map editor makes it so u can play it 4ever plus there r plenty of ready made maps and missions 2 download. It is great 4 multiplayer 2.
  29. JacobM.
    Feb 14, 2002
    10
    It's better than "Age of Empires."
  30. gracjanski
    Oct 12, 2018
    9
    Even today this game is fun and if you are a really gamer, you should get to know this classic game. I like the gameplay, that is a bit unique in comparison to other strategy games. The happiness of the citizens is the most important ressource and you need to keep an eye on it all the time. The AI is not so good btw.

    The atmosphere is great, so you feel you are in the middle age and    Even today this game is fun and if you are a really gamer, you should get to know this classic game. I like the gameplay, that is a bit unique in comparison to other strategy games. The happiness of the citizens is the most important ressource and you need to keep an eye on it all the time. The AI is not so good btw.

    The atmosphere is great, so you feel you are in the middle age and everything fits well together. The intro is very funny btw..

    The economic campaign is short and very hard. Unfortunately it has a trial and error element, because there are many scripted events. Yes, they are frustrating and you need to manage them. So loosing is part of the gameplay here.
    The military campaing is much longer and the beginning is much easier, so it is better to start that.    … Expand
  31. Kai82
    May 7, 2021
    10
    A real time strategy game set in medieval England. It has a well balanced economic and military system and quite an addictive gameplay. Story setup: The King was captured at war in a foreign country and is hold hostage there. This was a good opportunity for 4 nobles to usurp the power. The player-characters father was loyal to the king and lured in a deadly trap. It is the mission toA real time strategy game set in medieval England. It has a well balanced economic and military system and quite an addictive gameplay. Story setup: The King was captured at war in a foreign country and is hold hostage there. This was a good opportunity for 4 nobles to usurp the power. The player-characters father was loyal to the king and lured in a deadly trap. It is the mission to retake the land, free the king by acquiring enough ransom money and stop the usurpers. You start in a remote shire with the weakened resistance. Gameplay: It is mission based and you see a map of England between mission showing who rules the different shires(Linear story). In most mission you develop a Stronghold and defending it against enemy troops while in a few missions you have to capture the enemy Stronghold yourself (The later are painful and hated by many players). The gameplay mechanics are interwoven and well thought out. You can test it but the game does a good job teaching you the mechanics (more and more is unlocked later in the game). Basically you harvest resources, build buildings and structures. Wood and stone are for buildings and deference structures while wood is also used for weapons together with iron. You need the right buildings. For example: To get archers you need a woodcutter hut (wood), barracks (recruiting), armory (storage for weapons) and a fletchers workshop (produces bows or crossbows). Now you can recruit archers. As you can sees the set up is logical. Stronger / better units need more or different buildings. Of cause you need peasants to do the work. These need food and so you must build farms or hunters posts. There are multiple farms available. Dairy farms also deliver leather for leather armor but the most effective are wheat farms. However these need also a mill and a bakery to produce bread (2 farms and 1 mill are enough to supply 4-6 bakeries). The two disadvantages are less available space and that more peasants are needed in the production chain. Of cause more peasants mean more food consumption. This is a fitting transition to the tax and satisfaction system. Basically higher taxes mean that the people dislike you (Nothing has changed sine that times;-). There is a rating for this. It can reach 100 and if it drops below 50 you are losing peasants as they are leaving your stronghold (Higher satisfaction means faster immigration). To counter these you can do multiple things. Increase food rations (= more consumption), have multiple food sources (the more the better), lower taxes or have special buildings like Inns (serve ale but you need a brewery and a hops farms) or churches (chapel up to cathedrals). It is often needed to raise taxes to win missions so you need to balance things out. Military: You are defending your settlement by building a stronghold. Walls stop enemies, towers give archers and crossbowman advantages, moats slow down enemies etc. Melee units come in various varieties and all units have their purpose. Be warned I was sure to handle everything with masses of archers in good defense positions and I was a fool for this (Works well in the first third of the game). Later on you have many more options as gradually new buildings, units and weapons unlock. The military campaign is excellent and challenging. I only dislike the missions were you don't have a stronghold and after some research found out that this is a common complain and those missions are hated. There is also an economy campaign, some scenarios and mode where you can build freely. There is also an editor to create your own maps and it is praised but this is just hearsay as I never tested it. Graphically it was really good back then. Today it is acceptable for me but you easily spot that it is an older game. The soundtrack is fine. I want to praise the antagonists. These are such likable stereotypes already nicknamed as rat, snake, pig and wolf. Overall this is an excellent game. The gameplay mechanics are well thought out and interwoven. This is truly enjoyable. I give a 10/10 but the already mentioned weaker missions nearly prevented this. In hindsight this is viewed as best game in the series with Crusaders. A recommendation for fans of strategy games and medieval settings.… Expand
  32. RaminGray
    Aug 15, 2016
    10
    its great game with great story and very nice texture's and effective units and various houses. and speeches is was great for those years . I had many night dreams on this game and build many maps on world editors. so cool game, .
  33. Nicolas98
    May 27, 2016
    10
    Ich spiele dieses Spiel jetzt seid 10 Jahren und hab das jetzt bei dem Kauf von Stronghold 3 bekommen. Insgesammt habe ich schon mehrere 100 Stunden mit diesem Spiel verbracht. Für 2001 ist dieses Spiel einfach nur der Hammer und macht jetzt auch noch tierisch Spaß. Man kann eigene Level, somit auch eigene Kampagnen erstellen, wo man selbst entscheiden kann wann Nachrichten vonIch spiele dieses Spiel jetzt seid 10 Jahren und hab das jetzt bei dem Kauf von Stronghold 3 bekommen. Insgesammt habe ich schon mehrere 100 Stunden mit diesem Spiel verbracht. Für 2001 ist dieses Spiel einfach nur der Hammer und macht jetzt auch noch tierisch Spaß. Man kann eigene Level, somit auch eigene Kampagnen erstellen, wo man selbst entscheiden kann wann Nachrichten von Kunschaftern, Wolf, Ratte usw. kommen und man kann entscheiden wann Angriffe kommen und wie viele Truppen dieser Angriff beinhaltet. Außerdem kann man Ereignisse erstellen, wie zum Bespiel einen Massenbrand. Die Kampangene des Spieles ist auch sehr spannend und macht auf vielen Ebenen Spaß. Empfehlen kann ich das Spiel allemahle, nur wer mehr Zeit mit Stronghold verbringen möchte und schon ein bisschen Erfahrung in Strategiespielen hat sollte lieber über einen Kauf von Stronghold Crusader nachdenken.… Expand
  34. rubyagolova
    Feb 18, 2020
    10
    Я бегу в своё детство, и эта игра со мной.
    Прошла проверку временем, одна из лучших
  35. Axilley
    Jul 22, 2021
    9
    good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good goodgood good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good LEGEND SD
  36. nieXas
    Dec 21, 2018
    10
    The game that was perfect for the time being. I enjoyed it almost more than Crusader.
  37. Amorph0us
    Jan 12, 2022
    7
    Surprisingly fun! Can get addicted to it but from a point on it becomes a game to test its AI under curtain circumstances.
  38. Genek13
    Nov 18, 2019
    9
    FIrst very good Medieval RTS in my gamer career.
    Great mechanics and visuals. Its was very fan to play back then and even today :)
  39. gondarka
    Feb 8, 2020
    10
    Great game wish the remasterd it from memory tho I did have big trouble getting it to work on lan
  40. Sinmaker
    May 27, 2020
    9
    a ser feita em breve jakjalkahslkdhalkshdlkahslkdahslkdakhldhsaldhaklshdlkahsdklah
  41. storygamer
    Sep 24, 2020
    9
    Stronghold is iconic. This RTS combines strategy, economy, combat and building elements with success and the end product is sheer addictive fun. A game everyone should have in his or her game collection!
  42. Gorbunov2004
    Mar 25, 2021
    9
    Stronghold предлагает вам развить свою экономику обеспечить своих жителей едой собрать армию и разгромить вражескую армию и замок, сюжет тоже не плохой. Изометрический вид временами может быть очень неприятным, особенно когда вы оставляете крошечный «невидимый» промежуток в стене вашего замка, к которому враг мгновенно приближается с расстояния в несколько миль. Стратегия удачно сочетающаяStronghold предлагает вам развить свою экономику обеспечить своих жителей едой собрать армию и разгромить вражескую армию и замок, сюжет тоже не плохой. Изометрический вид временами может быть очень неприятным, особенно когда вы оставляете крошечный «невидимый» промежуток в стене вашего замка, к которому враг мгновенно приближается с расстояния в несколько миль. Стратегия удачно сочетающая в себе как и экономическую часть, так и военную.… Expand
  43. RockerKR
    Nov 17, 2020
    9
    IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII Good Game IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
  44. HellFlame666
    Nov 23, 2020
    10
    Тупо шедевр.Сюжет в игре с её персонажами весьма интересный,местами и забавный.И строительство,и бои,и экономика-всё отлично продумано и сбалансированно.Одна из лучших RTS.
  45. Torgall
    Dec 13, 2020
    10
    I LOVE this game since my childhood, and even today nothing changed. The scribe, granary and increasing taxes is still a meme in my country. The Polish localization was very well done, adding more to the awesome experience.
  46. gotterpotter56
    Aug 3, 2023
    8
    Приятная стратегия. В меру сложная. Музыка очаровательна. Иногда душно конечно, но все равно игра приятная.
  47. cercisyusuf
    Sep 8, 2023
    8
    again a cllasic stronghold experience so thats good i think well aoe is cannot have castle mechanic
  48. dr-kenobi
    Sep 7, 2022
    8
    Класика дитинства, будівельна складова - топ, бойова механіка навіть для того часу насправді могла бути кращою
  49. IamNader
    May 9, 2023
    8
    One of the best strategy games ever made, after 22 years it still rocks! - 8/10
  50. Keron_Heruman
    Aug 28, 2023
    7
    Good overall game. It is not enough complex for and economic strategy game and it's not enough good for an military RTS game.

Awards & Rankings

40
#40 Best PC Game of 2001
9
#9 Most Discussed PC Game of 2001
9
#9 Most Shared PC Game of 2001

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. Media and Games Online Network
    90
    Before now there have been some strategy games set in medieval times, but none has captured the essence and flavour of the period like the superb Stronghold.
    Read full review
  2. GameZone
    83
    Stronghold is an intriguing and ‘fresh’ perspective on the civilization genre. It is filled with great graphical elements and sound, and plays well. This is a solid and enjoyable outing.
    Read full review
  3. Game Over Online
    82
    Stronghold is a very interesting game; a game which has no equals, not because it’s that outstanding, but because there’s been so few games that can fight for the title of castle sim champion.
    Read full review
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