Another day, another part of my childhood exposed! 😱
Stronghold is another one of those foundational games that doesn't get the respect it deserves. Maybe because none of its sequels (except for Crusader) managed to live up to the original. 😅 Firefly had a gem on their hands and let it slip through.
For now though, the year is 2000 and they are on top of the world.
In this edition of Through the Lens 🎞, we will take a look at the castle builder that put the castle in builder (huh?), Firefly's 2001 classic: Stronghold, Roll it! 📽
🚩 UP TOP 🚩
As per usual I suggest you listen to the soundtrack while reading.
This game released around the same time as GTA III. Would you believe me if I said it outsold it? No? Well, you're smart, since I'm not sure if it really did. 😂
I know for a fact that it did in some countries, and sold slightly fewer copies in others. I don't think Stronghold whole-hog outsold GTA (emphasis on 'I don't think') but it was pretty close either way.
Suffice to say this game was a hit. So much so that Firefly Studios' entire catalogue is comprised of Stronghold titles. Some are better than others, and honestly it seems like every subsequent game is worse than the last. What and how God knows. But my hunch says deadlines and publishers are to blame. But you never know with these things. 🤷♂
At any rate, I've played this game front to back multiple times. I played Crusader even more, but this one is the OG and thus we shall talk about it first. 👍
💂 OG 💂
When anyone talks about castle builders, they talk about Stronghold. 🏯 And I mean that in the truest sense of the word. There were other town management games (such as the roman themed Cesar back in the day), that did kinda the same thing but not really.
And titles like Anno and Banished don't come even close. No. Stronghold has always been about the mother bleeping castle building yo! So cool. 😚
Honestly, you guys have no idea how bummed I am that no other subsequent game came close to Stronghold Crusader. The one I spent the most time out of them all was Stronghold Legends. That one had a cool theme and campaign that I liked it. Played a decent amount of the multiplayer even.
It is remarkable how many Stronghold games there are, and how drastic the quality between some of them is. I don't know very many examples in gaming that are as such. A weird franchise to say the least. But these first instalments? Crack. Crack cocaine. 💯
🏯 Wanna Build a Castle? 🏯
Then this is the game for you!
Seriously, even to this day, this is the best castle builder out there. You don't believe me? Sue me then bishhh. But seriously - this is it. 😤
You collect resources (stone,wood,iron(steel?) which you use to build your various structures. These structures range from food production to weapon production.
The basics of economy are all there. But nowhere near the detail of other games like Frostpunk for isntance.
You will have to build fortifications to protect that which is yours. Manning the walls with...men, (and or women, you never know, let's not project here) as well as placing various traps like spikes or oil that can be set on fire. The layout of your castle, its defences and key structures, is paramount to a successful Stronghold game.
Managing your army is also a very important aspect of the game. Not in the micro sense, this ain't Starcraft. 🤣 But in the sense of which units you chose to use, where you place them etc. Unlike many RTS games, Stronghold is about strategy rather than tactics. That's neither a critique or an endorsement, just an observation. 🙂
This strategic aspect carries over in your castle building as well. you will have to be smart in your structure placement. Travel time is a real thing and your workers can get stuck or worse... become inefficient! 😱
This macro-managing aspect is really fulfilling. The cooler your castle looks, the better managed it is. I just think that's a super cool and novel endorsement. (ye, this time it is one 😃)
🐺 Wolves and Snakes 🐍
The campaign in this game sees you taking back Britain (or at least a map eerily similar) from the traitorous pestsx that took it from your father. Namely the: Rat, Snake, Pig and Wolf. In that order.
As delightful as the Red Alert campaigns were back in the day (with the boobs, and the FMVs) this one is just so much more... wholesome? Not sure what the correct word is, but the writing is just so.damn.CURE. 😝
This cast of characters is refreshingly charming. Each with specific characteristics that makes you fall in love ❣️ with them - or hate them with a passion. Works either way.
We're going top left to bottom right:
You have The Rat the weakest of the bunch and the most craven. As with most of these, their names say a lot about them. The rat is super funny in his incompetence. 😀
Then its The Snake. As the name would suggest this guy is a conniving piece of bleep. I find his character the be the most fun out of the four.
Third on the list is The Pig. A gluten that I think is even weaker than The Snake even though he comes after. His character is the least memorable.
And finally, it's the big bad: The Wolf. As intimidating as it gets for this type of character. The Wolf is the final boss and he definitely earns his teeth.
These guys are great. They even brought the Wolf back for Stronghold 3. But as we already established, the other Stronghold games are ehhhhhhhhhh. 🤢
🏆 Legacy 🏆
As I said: the best castle builder out there.
Well maybe second best. Stronghold Crusader is def better. But I won't talk about that one since I wanna do a different Through the Lens on it. The homies understand. 🤗
Most times when i recommend old games I say get mods or what have you. But apart from it being the HD version, you can just pick this one up and have a grand ol' time. Which, if you're into these sorts of games, is a must play.
Even if you aren't, I suggest you give it a try if you've already taken a liking to RTS games or city-management games in general. Even if you like medieval stuff you might dig it.
So try it! 😡
It sold more copies than GTA III, it has to be good!
No, but seriously. If you haven't played this game you are wasting your time as we speak. And will continue to waste it for the rest of your life until you play it.
Just sayin'. 🤷♂
Shout-out to the 🍕PIZZA🍕 gang, 🤙 gang. 🤙
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Have a great day! 🙌