To begin with, this game has no storyline, no logical sequence
connecting the campaign missions, and most importantly, IT IS
NOT HISTORY-BASED LIKE THE "LORDS OF THE REALM" or the "DEFENDER
OF THE CROWN" WAS.

There is no hint of where exactly in Europe does the player
finds oneself, and there are no glorious campaigns against
the European powers of the Middle Ages. One certainly feels
like one is in some kind of Medieval Limbo, where one is told
to accomplish certain things for no apparent cause.

All in all, the game plays and feels as if it were some sort
of a creation of a group of computer programmers-obviously
fascinated to the extreme with the Middle Ages- to pass their
leisure time by buiding castles and keeps, just for the sake
of building castles and keeps.

To sum it up, the lack of historical campaigns cripples a game
which certainly could have some prospects. Also, the game sound
is distorted and choppy with Yamaha soundcards of the YMF family,
and the developers have done nothing to correct that.

I have bought this game from a UK computer store paying only
one-third of its original value, and I still regret it. Do not
waste your money on this title, but buy instead Stronghold
Crusader, which is a lot better.

"Excellent Interface, Difficult Game"
This game has some of the best graphics on a strategy game I've played. I really liked the fact that you can zoom in on your screen. This makes placement of castle walls, etc. much easier.

The 'free build' games are fun, as there is no enemy trying to destroy you. The only limiting factors are you and your resources. I've played this for hours on end. The seige based games are fun as well, but difficult. It seems I'm never quite finished building when the enemy attacks. I usually get my [tail] kicked. One thing I liked with this game that didn't like with AOE is that peasants can and do fight when they need to. Even the hunter (who hunts with a bow) will fight when the enemy attacks. The wood gatherers are especially good, as they fight with their axes.

"Fun strategy game with a medieval castle-based theme"
Admit it, you've seen those movies where armies fight to attack/defend a castle and wished you could somehow take part. Stronghold for the PC gives you the chance to lay siege or defend a castle of your choosing, as well as giving you the ability to build your own stronghold or map, or to just play through the intriguing campaign. Don't have time to play through the main game? Then play a quick single-stage game on any map of your choosing! You can opt for a combat-intensive (no resource management!), or economic-based game, or you can download hundreds of fan-created maps/castles if the main game isn't challenging enough!

Keep in mind that the main campaign is a typical strategy game where you have to do your fair share of micromanagement as well as keeping your citizens healthy/happy and employed. Your popularity meter plays a big part in your overall success, so manage this aspect well by adjusting taxes, food rationing, etc.

Stronghold is an engaging game. The difficulty seems to be set at just the right level. Some degree of trial-and-error may be required on some levels, but that's half the fun! No two games have to be alike! There's enough variety to keep novice and expert strategy gamers busy for weeks, and the graphical style and sound effects fit the mood perfectly!

What more can be said? Stronghold is affordable and may be just what you need when you tire of all those 3D FPS games!

"2nd Greatest Game"
Greatest game except Stronghold: Crusador. I got Stronghold: Crusador first and at first it was confusing but then I played the tutorial and I play for about 2-3 hours on that or Sronghold. Then I got Stronghold . I played the siege mode and I thought it was so cool that you could start out with an already made castle, manned, and a flood of men filling in your moat. I was very happy about that mode because it doesn't take 1 hour to build a castle and wait 20 minutes for the enemy to come. Unlike Age Of Empires where you can't man the walls but in Stronghold you can. I enjoy the building mode where I recreated Helm's Deep in the siege mode.

Graphics 9\10 (bad face graphics)

Availability of troops 9\10

Buildings 10\10

AI 9\10 (sometimes the enemy acts stupid)

Gameplay 10\10

Overall 9\10 (more modes would make this a perfect 10)