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Stronghold: Definitive Edition announced [UPDATE: DEMO OUT]

It's not possible for me to edit the thread title, right? I've looked for an option, fruitlessly.
 
For a moment i thought you were talking about stranglehold



stranglehold-game.gif


(the guy having a seizure in mid air doesn't help my argument)
environmental destruction in Stranglehold was fuckin awesome for its time. Even today not that many games offer that sort of interactivity and this (PS3/360) just proves that it's clearly doable, just a matter of effort.

Anyway back on topic, I've actually never played any of the stronghold games... not sure what's better/worse than Age of Empires but I'm up for a free demo!
 
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environmental destruction in Stranglehold was fuckin awesome for its time. Even today not that many games offer that sort of interactivity and this (PS3/360) just proves that it's clearly doable, just a matter of effort.

Anyway back on topic, I've actually never played any of the stronghold games... not sure what's better/worse than Age of Empires but I'm up for a free demo!

Stronghold has much more micromanagement of resources and units than Age of Empires.

Stronghold is closer to Anno than Age of Empires.
 
Anyway back on topic, I've actually never played any of the stronghold games... not sure what's better/worse than Age of Empires but I'm up for a free demo!

They're both RTS games with a medieval setting. You field a lot of the same units like archers, crossbowmen, swordsmen, knights, etc. What the main differences are is that the wall mechanics are much more involved in Stronghold. Whereas your "castle" in AoE4 consists of a keep surrounded by stone walls, or maybe a landmark surrounded by stone walls, a castle in Stronghold is much more complex. You can layer walls, add crenulations, towers, stairs, and more. You can even mount siege weapons on large stone towers. You can instruct engineers to boil oil and pour it over the castle walls. You can have your troops dig a moat around your castle to stop invaders, and you can place oily pitch on the ground, and light it on fire to burn intruders. If you get really nuts, you can design kill zones within your castle, and I find that to be very fun.

The other main difference from AoE is that you have to manage the citizens of your castle as well as the military in order to maintain your supply chain and economy. You harvest wood and stone to construct your buildings and castle. You hunt deer, make cheese, or grow wheat and apples to provide food. You create weapon smiths to create the weapons required to defend and attack. You also have buildings like a tavern, chapel, and decorations that manage the happiness of your citizens.

It's a free demo and only 3 GBs, so why not give it a shot. This is one of my favorite games from that era and I'm happy that they're remaking it.
 
I don't really like these 'polishes' of old games. 'HD' versions that just get them to look and run better on modern systems, sure.

It's rather they spent the resources on making proper sequels that from the foundations take advantage of modern systems.
For a team with aspirations to create a sequel, a lot can be learned from working with the original game. Not necessarily claiming that this is the case here.
 
Have to try to again, but I remember Stronghold being a bit barebones compared to Crusader, which was closer to a traditional RTS.
 
Guys i can't seem to find the demo, i really would love to try it out before buying, can someone tell me where i can find the demo?
 
Thanks but i want the demo for the first Stronghold Definitive Edition or should i just care for Crusader?
It depends on what you want. Stronghold: DE is a bit more chill than Crusader. Crusader is a bit more focused on combat, imho. But it's fun (and can get quite hard). And also: Do you like building and fucking up castles in Europe or do you like to slay godless heathens in the Middle-East? Crusader is, in terms of gameplay, more like an expansion pack. New units, new enemies, etc. But thematically it's different and well differentiated (imho). Also, Crusader is where the community is at. It's the most played one for a reason.

They did a good job. It's a well-made remaster/remake.
 
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It depends on what you want. Stronghold: DE is a bit more chill than Crusader. Crusader is a bit more focused on combat, imho. But it's fun (and can get quite hard). And also: Do you like building and fucking up castles in Europe or do you like to slay godless heathens in the Middle-East?

They did a good job. It's a well-made remaster/remake.
For now i wanted to start chronologically so Stronghold 1 DE. I also like the more chill aspect.
 
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For now i wanted to start chronologically so Stronghold 1 DE. I also like the more chill aspect.
Yeah, that's a good idea. If you find yourself wanting more, Crusader is still there. And it's not too expensive.

Edit: Stay away from the 3D Strongholds, they are all mid to bad.
 
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Just got Stronghold Definitive Edition which just went on Sale on Steam for 5 bucks. And i thought i have to wait longer for a sale since i missed it on the summer sale. Nice.
 
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I have never played any of these games. Where to start? 'Cause I'm so confused by all the editions and remasters. :goog_what:
 
I have never played any of these games. Where to start? 'Cause I'm so confused by all the editions and remasters. :goog_what:
If you want my uneducated guess i would say Stronghold Definitive Edition and Stronghold Crusader Definitive Edition are the way to go. All other Stronghold (like the 3D ones) are not good.
 
I have never played any of these games. Where to start? 'Cause I'm so confused by all the editions and remasters. :goog_what:

This:
If you want my uneducated guess i would say Stronghold Definitive Edition and Stronghold Crusader Definitive Edition are the way to go. All other Stronghold (like the 3D ones) are not good.

There are some fans who will argue that Stronghold 2 "is good". And yes, in comparison to all the other 3D Strongholds it's "good". But that's like saying you prefer to get punched in the face rather than in the balls.
 
So after playing it for 5 hours or so i have to say i really enjoy Stronghold DE. Haven't played it back in the days the DE is nicely made.
It's not easy on Normal difficulty but its manageable.
Great game, i recommend it to players who are intererested in good RTS's. Also it's on sale right now on Steam so a good chance to get the game.
 
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I'm at level 12 right now (Stronghold DE) and on Normal it's not looking like i can beat it, is it just me or is the game very difficult, that's a pity since i didn't want to go down in difficulty but rather stay at normal.
I guess at this point it would be wise to look up a let's play on youtube, right?
Edit: ok on youtube i see what i did wrong, nvm. Game is awesome.
I have to expand the castle walls
 
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How does this compare to say Age 2?

I love what I'm seeing visually but wtf is a castle sim?
 
How does this compare to say Age 2?

I love what I'm seeing visually but wtf is a castle sim?
I love it personally, every level is a puzzle for itself and requires you to play it couple of times until you get the hang of it.
Can't say how it compares to Age 2 Since i haven't played that almost at all.
Only downside to me would be that the economy takes some time to get going.
Castle Sim is probably because you can build castle walls and gates and towers etc.
 
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