The Stronghold : Collection (PC DVD)

First of all let me be the first to say that I'm reviewing this because I own all of these games seperately. However these are the exact same versions as the ones that are included in this pack, so I'm still giving you accurate info, and I know a lot about the pack's own quirks, too.

The first thing to note is what you're getting as a consumer. Now, I'll get to the gameplay/graphics, etc. in a while, but the first thing you should know that this pack is DRM FREE. No activation codes, no limited 'activations' or computer limits, etc. You get a disc that'll function as long as your CD drive remains in your PC. The second thing to note is that the pack gives you the games as is, no catches, no payments, no little niggles.

Now, I'll review each game seperately below as they all warrant their own in-depth look.

Stronghold:

Well, what can I say? The first and still great to this day. The isometric game engine hasn't aged all that well, but it's still serviceable. It's not one of those games where you feel like gouging your eyes out after extended playthroughs of. The sprites are pre-rendered 3D models and look pretty good, plus the cutscenes, talking heads and other little pre-rendered 3D animations are suprisingly good, well-acted and animated. The gameplay is quite unique compared to games like the Age of Empires series, so I'll summarise it here:

You have a Lord who is your in-game avatar unit. The game ends if he is killed. You have your keep which is the first building you place (building in the whole series is instant). Outside peasants (unemployed workers) gather outside your campfire, waiting for a job. Buildings need workers, and any vacant building is automatically assigned a peasant and the peasant automatically begins work. The economy is nice and deep without being too intrusive to gameplay. It's kind of like The Settlers series. The resources are quite predictable: Wood, stone, iron, etc. You have to feed your peasants for the popularity meter to stay high. While it is above fifty your peasants will be happy and arrive as and when needed. But if it drops to below fifty they'll leave and your economy will suffer. Your economy is, unlike most RTS games, the foundation of the warfare. From your economy you manufacture weapons (wood for bows, iron for armour and swords, etc.) and then train the units. There's your standard mix of cheap archers and spearmen, then your middleground macemen, then your more expensive sworsmen, knights, and crossbowmen. The game's controls are as you'd expect and nice and conventional. However, do be cautious as the game doesn't support widescreen HD resolutions, so the image does look slightly stretched on newer, more expensive monitors. Overall, a fun game with a few flaws.

Stronghold Crusader:

This game uses the same engine as Stronghold, except in the desert during the Crusades. The basic gameplay remains the same, but there are a few new additions & tweaks...

The first thing is that you can't place land on sand, only on oasis grass so you actually get really great heated moments (especially in multiplayer) where you're all fighting to exploit what little grassland you have and often you'll have to repel skirmishes that are trying to invade your farms and build their own. Apart from that there's obviously a new campaign, and some new Arabian units that are recruited from the Mercenary Post structure. Overall, yet another great game, a worthy successor to Stronghold. But still no HD resolutions!

Stronghold 2:

The 'sequel'. Crusader was a 'half-sequel'. Well, there's A LOT of new features and improvements over the other games. The first thing is a facelift - The game's got a brand new 3D engine that looks alright. Not groundbreaking or cutting edge but do the job and not terrible. The gameplay is where the game really shines, though. The gameplay is mostly the same, except now there's more units recruited from the Mercenary Post (Horse Archers, Outlaws, Cavalry, etc.) as well as being able to breed horses for Knights to ride on to make them faster. As well as that, there's a new 'honour' system which is increased by having feasts, dances, and attending church with the peasants. As well as that there's new popularity options like travelling fairs and jousting tourneys and even new things to manage, like Gong (human waste on streets), Rats, Disease, and even Crime, in which you get the satisfyingly sadistic freedom of choosing what the criminal punishment is; Flogging, gibbot, wheel, or off with his head? And then get the great pleasure of watching it unfold. The campaign story isn't very good, it's the generic Traitor to the King and Fight for the Throne cliche. However be prepared to patch as without the patches the game is buggy. And no widescreen support! HELP!

Stronghold Legends:

This is Stronghold 2, basically, with new 'fantasy' units like Dragons, Giants, Dwarves, Knights of the Round Table, Creepers, Werewolves, and Saxons to mess around with. But they also cut out a lot of the old units like the Mercenary Post units. Also, the economy is a lot less deep, gong, jousting, fairs, rats, and more are gone, which takes some of the fun out of the game. To further emphasize the new focus, the game's objectives and campaigns are 100% COMBAT OBJECTIVES and the castle-building is only there to support the military. However, the siege combat is still there and is arguably better with the new siege defences, giants being able to pummel walls and archers off the walls and creepers being able to convert archers over to their side. The main positive is that HD resolutions are included! Huzzah!

--Summary--

Overall, a great series that declined with Legends. If you're just discovering the series then pick this collection up, for the price it's a great bargian for a great game. Although, just be warned: I'm not sure whether the version of Stronghold 2 included includes the extra 'Conquest Trail' in the deluxe standalone version, or whether the Stronghold Crusader included includes the extra AI opponents and campaign in the 'Warchest/Standalone Extreme' versions. Look into it, and buy the pack by all means. If it doesn't include the extra content, buy the standalone versions (only costs you a bit more).

If you end up needing the standalone versions for the extra content then these are the versions you'll be wanting: (all on Amazon.co.uk, I believe).

-Stronghold 2 Deluxe Edition
-Stronghold Crusader Extreme (Standalone version comes with Warchest content).

--Overall great series, great product, great pack, all for a great price! Thumbs up to Firefly! --

The Stronghold series has always been my favourite tactical PC game, and when I purchased a new computer last year was gutted to find the earlier games wouldn't run with Vista. This collection works perfectly well with Vista, with easy installation (so simple, even I understand it! ;) ).

Being familiar with Stronghold and Stronghold Crusader it was fun to jump back in to these games. A feature that I love with Stronghold is that you can build your own campaign missions, so if you get bored of the normal game you can mess around with it a little. You can also play online using Gamespy Arcade, something you can install with the game disc. I hadn't played Stronghold Legends, and am enjoying it a lot. Imagine working your way through the King Arthur story with your own army. Great fun!

This series is great for people of all ages, particularly if you like your strategy with a mediaeval theme. I would highly recommend it.

Good game to play no disc needed after initally install. There are five games in one disc I think Legends is the best.