FireFly Studios' Stronghold 2
Description
The sequel to FireFly Studios' Stronghold is a castle building and management sim which offers 3D graphics and many new gameplay elements. It retains the mix of a construction/management game with real-time strategic combat in which the player either lays siege to his opponents or defends his castle against them.
The campaign is again divided in two parts: the more peaceful part in which management is the primary concern of the player, and the military campaign in which the player fights to restore order to the troubled kingdom of England. However, there is some limited fighting in the peaceful campaign (mostly beasts and bandits) and the player must definitely know how to build a good economy to support his army in the military campaign.
New mechanics include the crime and punishment system, the honour "currency" which is gained by higher-tier kingdom activities such as organizing feasts (for which special food types are required) and jousting tournaments, waste management and pest extermination. Castle fortification options are now expanded with various traps.
The game also offers the Kingmaker mode, free form play, multiplayer/skirmish and others. There are also many pre-made historical castles which the player can either besiege or defend.
The Deluxe edition refers to the DVD re-release with patch 1.3.1 streamlined into the installer, which includes:
- A new game mode in which the player takes part in a crusade through Europe, where he has to conquer and defend historically correct replicas of famous castles.
- Additions to the Kingmaker and multiplayer modes:
- 3 new AI-enemies called The Queen, The Pontifex and Sir Grey
- Two new world maps: Korea and Europe
- Two new scenery maps: "To the Sea" and "Three Bridges"
- 7 new historical castles: Windsor, Edinburgh, Haut-Koenigsburg, Tower of London, Burg Fougeres, Harlech and Heuneburg