Stronghold 2 Deluxe (PC CD)

If pondering which to get, it's worth realising that the latest patch (1.3.1) apparently upgrades _all_ game versions to Deluxe. I'm not in a position to check this, but it seems reasonable -- it's not as if the box copy I quoted above promises anything earth-shattering. Whatever version you get, you'll need the patch since it resolves various gameplay and graphical issues. Dialup users beware: this patch is a monster download; I've seen reports of it taking several hours at 56kbits.

As to the game itself: if you've never played a title from this stable before, I'd strongly suggest beginning with the original Stronghold (which is the true classic of this series) instead. Okay, it doesn't have a full 3D engine, but the graphics are still very good and the music is outstanding (they still use several of the tracks in Stronghold 2). Most importantly, the comparatively stripped down nature of the original means that it isn't cluttered with certain extraneous, unfun things that have now been introduced.

For example, Stronghold 2 peasants can turn to crime, necessitating the building of courthouses and other appuratus of law and order. Even with all of this, your economy still gets disrupted (a criminal/imprisoned peasant's workshop remains empty and unproductive, even if you have other peasants standing around doing nothing). Since one of the joys of playing Stronghold is constructing and then watching a smooth-running castle economy, this simply frustrates without adding enjoyment. It's the sort of unfun thing that's been taken _out_ of a game like Civ 4 (fantastic title, by the way!) and it seems a shame that the Stronghold designers are still putting this kind of fly _in_ to the ointment of what is essentially also a fantastic game.

Still, if you're a Stronghold veteran made wary by all the negative comments surrounding the initial rushed release, then I'd say that with patch 1.3.1 this game is stable and playable -- for myself, and for most of the people I've seen posting to Stronghold forums. The changes are a mixed bag -- some good, some bad -- and doubtless different players will find different things to like/dislike.

Overall, it's nice to have a new version of Stronghold to enjoy, because this new edition still has the magic that keeps you playing just one more mission before bedtime ... but then so did the previous titles in the series.