Ladies and Gentlemen, its time again to grab your sword and feel a little like god.
User Rating: 9.4 | Stronghold 2 PC
Its been quite some time since the original Stronghold game had been released. Some say the original has gained an almost cult following. No doubt thats because of the wonderful gameplay this series has to offer. Stronghold has always been known for great graphics, magnifcant sound, and gameplay features that leave you craving for more. But enough of the roses talk, its on to the review to see just how great this game really is. Does this castle sim shape up to its "medival" predesccor? The first thing your introduce to when the game loads up is the amazing sound score. As soon as the opening movie plays, you know you're in for a real treat. The narrator's booming voice tends to send chills down one's spine. Of course, this also holds a backseat to the actual gameplay ambiance. All the sounds going on in your workforce are so intricatly done it leaves you spellbound. I constantly find myself dazing off into a half-dream hearing the clanking of picks, or the bows of hunters firing and the screaching of the animals they kill. I find that just the sound alone makes the game worth its price tag. After you're finally past the sound, you realize just how beautiful this game is. While it suffers from a few FPS bugs that are getting fixed, it truly stands up there with some of our more graphically inclined. The water, people, and landscapes all add to this sureal sense of immersion. Stronghold 2 even offers many different camera angles, my favorite being "The Lord's Eye". I can't tell you how often I sit on top of me' castle watching my pesants toyal in their little jobs. It makes you feel almost god-like. The final thing that sets in is the actual gameplay. There are many different styles of gameplay ranging from peace mode, which allows you to build without worry of enemies. There is also war mode that allows you to build with well.....enemies. There are three different kinds of styles within these modes. A story simulation, free build, kingmaker, and a few others. There are also a few novelty features, such as naming your king. Whenever you load up your game the little avatar at the menu keeps saying, "Hello [Insert name here]." It actually makes you feel like your part of the game. The multiplayer is also outstanding. While not as good as singleplayer, it adds many more hours of enjoyment. There is also a map builder, which allows you to play your own custom maps. Overall, this game is a truly engrossing experience. While the learning curve is a little steep, once you get into the game theres no getting out. I've only had for two days, and already I'm hooked. This game is truly a recommended buy. 
