Stronghold

 PC
Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
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  1. TotalGames.net
    91
    This is a great combination of fun, education (you never know when you might need those siege tactics in Tesco's) strategy and resource management that is a fantastic addition to the sim stable.
  2. Media and Games Online Network
    90
    Before now there have been some strategy games set in medieval times, but none has captured the essence and flavour of the period like the superb Stronghold.
  3. Computer Gaming World
    90
    Stronghold’s deft mix of economic, building, and combat challenges makes it one of the best strategy games of the year. [Feb 2002, p.79]
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  5. All Game Guide
    90
    Graphics and animations are charismatic, and it is truly enjoyable to build, defend, and even siege the greatest citadel in the land.
  6. Game Informer
    90
    For those who eat, sleep, and live strategic defense design and implementation, Stronghold should be number one on your to-get list. [Jan 2002, p.94]
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  7. GameSpy
    89
    An interesting, exciting, and fun city-building strategy simulation that will surely stay on many hard drives for a long time.
  8. IGN
    87
    Aside from some interface and control issues centered around the actual building of your castle walls, this is a fun and exciting entry into the RTS market that many of you should really be able to make love to. That's right, I said make love to. So I'm a pervert, what do you want from me?
  9. GameZone
    83
    Stronghold is an intriguing and ‘fresh’ perspective on the civilization genre. It is filled with great graphical elements and sound, and plays well. This is a solid and enjoyable outing.
  10. Game Over Online
    82
    Stronghold is a very interesting game; a game which has no equals, not because it’s that outstanding, but because there’s been so few games that can fight for the title of castle sim champion.
  11. PC Gamer
    82
    It borrows from the proven models of other successful games, and puts them in a new venue. It’s fun, deep, and bug-free. [Jan 2002, p.70]
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  12. ActionTrip
    81
    Its versatility, non-linearity and great replay value make it an excellent choice.
  13. Yahoo!
    80
    Its defensive focus and thoughtful, non-click-fest combat are unusual, and are its main strengths.
  14. GameSpot
    76
    It's been years since a game let you pour boiling oil on invading hordes, and Stronghold simulates castle sieges well enough to recommend it to those who are interested in the premise. But it's a hesitant recommendation, due to a poor interface and mediocre campaigns.
  15. netjak
    71
    While I totally think the game could have been a hundred fold better by corrected the AI issue, it is still a safe buy for most gamers and recommended for novice to intermediate RTS fans.
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  16. GamePen
    70
    The campaigns, especially the economic one, can be insanely difficult. Much of it begins to resemble a puzzle to be solved than a castle to be built.
  17. Computer Games Magazine
    70
    It's almost more fun to watch than it is to play.
  18. Electric Playground
    70
    The excellent castle management and siege combat is tarnished by the cumbersome interface and mediocre real-time combat.
  19. Gamers' Temple
    68
    The pandemonium of a castle siege can be fun to watch, but experienced gamers may find that this does not compensate for the game's frustrating points.
  20. Next Generation Magazine
    60
    An excellent title that manages to bring the middle-age “hobby” of castle building to the modern-day gamer. [Jan 2002, p.93]
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Awards & Rankings

40
#40 Best PC Game of 2001
10
#10 Most Discussed PC Game of 2001
9
#9 Most Shared PC Game of 2001

User Reviews

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User Score
8.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 392 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 348 out of 392
  2. Mixed: 37 out of 392
  3. Negative: 7 out of 392
  1. ColinP.
    May 13, 2003
    10
    It rocks!
  2. NMan7496
    Sep 23, 2014
    10
    Bottom line, one of the best RTS games I've played. The campaign is engaging, there is a lot to do in free build, also with HD you haveBottom line, one of the best RTS games I've played. The campaign is engaging, there is a lot to do in free build, also with HD you have access to some maps created by other players which is pretty awesome. This is still tied with the original Stronghold Crusader for being the best in the series (I am writing this right after the release of Crusader II). This is Firefly's masterpiece, and I am saying this almost 13 years after its release. My one objection is, if you finish the Military and Economic Campaigns, there is not much else to do except free build and sieges, but Firefly fixed that with the addition of skirmishes with Crusader. But even with that objection I have been replaying the military campaign a lot, because it is that engaging. So, in conclusion, this is an amazing game, and makes the Stronghold Pack from Steam (Stronghold 1, 2, Legends, Crusader, and Crusader Extreme) an amazing deal.… Full Review »
  3. alanas4201
    Oct 21, 2013
    10
    My old favorite spend every day playing multiplayer at home after school good memories. glad they bring back these great games Games is hardMy old favorite spend every day playing multiplayer at home after school good memories. glad they bring back these great games Games is hard and challenging mission better than crusader, but multiplayer went back a bit.… Full Review »
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