Stronghold may have a strong hold on the market. (Stronghold)

Member Name: LoolooMe

Product:	Stronghold
Date:	13/07/09 (12 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good game for everyone.

Disadvantages: Needs patches.

My favorite type of games are sterotypically the gentle Sims, where no one attacks you and you can build and design till your hearts content. This is why you might find it very odd that I adore Stronghold, a game which is set around you being a lord and defending your castle whilst you attack others. So that you understand why I like it so much I will outline the points I like about it and then list some which I don't.

1. Linkages: Although a very basic game, in terms of graphics and zooming (two levels) it is very sophisticated in the linking of items. IE. if you are attacked and your caslte goes into lock down, food can not get in which means that your people become unhappy and may leave your kingdom. Why this is good as it gives an extra level of the game, making your subjects happy. So you need them to have lots of food and a good variety to make them very happy (or plants, or ale or religion -which will all make them happy) so that you can put fear into them (making them more productive) or raise taxes (for your army).

2. Different game plays. You can play in the build mode, where you are not under attack and just there to make a pretty castle. You can play free games where it is you vs computers and the idea is to distroy the opposition. You can play historical campaign so that you progress up levels, and as with all good games you can play over a LAN.

3. The computer components. There are about 20 (or just under) each with their different style and ability. You can either hand pick the ones that you want to oppose or ask for a random selection. You can also make up allies so for those starting off you can get some of the best computer lords onto your team.

4. The maps. There are a lot of different maps so you won't get bored, and each game is never the same. It all depends on how you want to play it.

Bad points.
1. Computer components don't have time constraints. Ie their castle walls will be up faster than you can place a stock pile. And you can not send wave after wave of attacks for this reason as they rebuild instantly.

2. map edges. The edges of your map and your scrollable area are the same, so there will sometimes be a little passage that you missed or some one that you can't even see (depending on which way you are facing).

Well as these two bad points can easily be fixed by a patch I hope that Stronghold does and then I will have nothing to complain about I will just be able to say that it is a fantastic game recommended for people like me who just want to build and design and sometimes go up against a really easy component, or for people who love the god complex games (ie command and conquer), but want something a little different to challenge themselves.

I have been playing stronghold since I was about 16 and I'm still playing it now in my twenties (also my dad plays and he's in his 50s), which just goes to show that if your a gamer this is a game for you.

Summary: A very good game, and quite cheap so what are you waiting for?