Stronghold (2001)

[Doppel]

Anybody remember this game?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stronghold_(2001_video_game)#Reception

I played the demo and couldn't believe how awesome it was. I got the game, and then Stronghold Crusader, which IIRC involved 50 (!) missions. And I completed it.

The game was absolutely fantastic. I never played Stronghold 2 because it got mixed reviews. I never played S3 because it was rated even worse than 1.

I suppose it's probably not realistic to think Stronghold 4 won't also suck.

Stronghold 1 was fantastic because it let you have total control over construction of a castle, which was then attacked by various waves of enemies. It was tower defense done better than anything else I've played. You could also attack castles, of course.

Anyhow, apparently Stronghold Crusader 2 is slated for summer release this year:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stronghold_Crusader_2

 

[TheSlamma]

I hope the new one is good cause man everything past 1 was garbage. It's a bummer too cause I really like the concept

 

[Kalmah]

I loved them up until Stronghold 2(I think it was). 1 and Crusaders were great.

My problem with the newer ones is that the maps are way too small. Your castle could barely fit on the map. Battles took place on three pixels of space at the edge of my walls. The game just didn't feel right. I really would like a new one that's worth playing.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

It was good. I wasted some time. Didn't like the followups either.

Doesn't work well in widescreen though. 🙁

 

[smackababy]

Once they went away from the isometric view, the games went downhill. I really hope the new one is as good as the original. I absolutely loved it.

 

[frozentundra123456]

I have fond memories of the first one too. Never tried any of the later ones though.

Biggest problem was keeping my citizens happy enough to not leave!

 

[CPA]

First was the best. I still have it and load it up every once in a while.

 

[Skott]

I played both. Both 1 & 2 are good. Crusaders was the pinnacle of the series IMO. SH3 got terrible reviews. Not sure what happened to Firefly Studios. They went downhill and has yet to make a good game since. Appears to be a common thing among many game studios these days.

 

[Zorander]

I enjoyed Crusader greatly back then. Supremely good game.

I actually enjoyed 2 as well even if it holds no candle to the original. A little buggy but still enjoyable.

 

[Doppel]

I played both. Both 1 & 2 are good. Crusaders was the pinnacle of the series IMO. SH3 got terrible reviews. Not sure what happened to Firefly Studios. They went downhill and has yet to make a good game since. Appears to be a common thing among many game studios these days.

Yeah, it's sad. From that wiki link:

according to Lead Designer at Firefly Studios, Simon Bradbury, "our favorite game, it’s our fans’ favorite game and it’s the game we have been waiting to put into production for several long years now."

I frankly don't know why they didn't just keep tweaking what they had. Increase graphics over time, add new units, maps, things like that. Reinventing something that was damn near perfect (how else did I play through the very long crusader if I didn't find it so near to perfection?) was stupid.

 

[Joeydubbs]

If you liked this game you should check out lords of the realm 2...much of my youth was wasted on that game

 

[Doppel]

If you liked this game you should check out lords of the realm 2...much of my youth was wasted on that game

Dead right. That game was AWESOME.

Just like Stronghold apparently its successor sucked, lords of the realm 3 got terrible reviews.

 

[amanoai]

Original Stronghold and Crusaders were very good games. Even my son is playing them nowadays. Multiplayer vs the CPU are fun. Looking forward to the new Crusaders this year.