Brilliant strategy just got deeper (Stronghold 2 (PC))

Member Name: MaestroRage

Product:	Stronghold 2 (PC)
Date:	12/09/08 (9 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Very complex kingdom system, amusing AI

Disadvantages: Very complex kingdom system

Stronghold 2 is arguably a big improvement from the first. Not just in graphics but in complexity of the kingdom workings and improved AI of both the enemy and the little men and women walking about in your kingdom. I say arguably because many people were turned off by the fact it could get so complicated to run an effective kingdom. If that is indeed the case those people are not going to enjoy the second one much more.

The system went from realistic to just real. If you can build the perfect kingdom here you could very well go back to the midieval era and usurp the king of anywhere and just set things right. Why not. With that said the new depths of realism entailing more buildings that do more specific things has allowed the user to be distracted by something and potentially will cause unrest in the empire as an element is added you weren't quite sure you could support properly. But on the other side of that coin, keep things too simple and you're not going to be performing as effectively as your enemies, and I assure you, they will come, they will see, and they will likely kick some tail.

It seems in this rendition one of the more important elements it recruiting knights and the more powerful units in an empires arsenal requires the new addition of Honor points. You get honor points by holding feasts at your kingdom, when your queen makes like 5 billion dresses that is later sent to the nearest ye olde Sears catalogue.

There are a multitude of ways to acquire honor points, and the more you get the more powerful units you can get, which then allows you to lay down the law on your enemies. But if you're playing just to build a kingdom the honor points are as useful as the soldiers you built. They look nice right?

Keeping your people happier is a bit more difficult here, again due to so many ways of slipping to the system's complexity. The graphics are much better, and the natural recovery of resources are much slower in this one. In the first one if I didn't chop down half that forest within the next half hour my entire kingdom's overrun by what looks like evergreen pine trees. Suddenly i'm seeing my people grow long pointy ears and living for all eternity.

bah.

Summary: Take the time to learn the kinks or you'll find yourself more frustrated then entertained.