To those complaining about the graphics, Stronghold 2 and Stronghold legends had better looking and much more modern 3D graphics but the games themselves sucked. They were unbalanced, over complicated and had poor gameplay. The 3D didn't help either, it just added yet another complication to the interface making the games a chore to play.

This on the other hand looks like they've gone back to Stronghold Crusader, focused on what made the original games great and just added more. Sure some visual enhancements would be nice too, but these graphics are serviceable enough. If it is essentially just a souped-up Stronghold Crusader I expect I'll be buying because that was a seriously fun game.

MattB

Hey, I love sprites as much as the next guy, but don't you think that some of those screenshots look seizure-inducing? Just saying.

The Commissar

MOAR CORN M'LORD

nevergod

@For_the_lulz: I think I'm also spoiled by Medieval 2.

SSJPabs

After looking at the screens, the SAME bad guys and the SAME good guys are in this one just like the first one. I mean come on. This is worse then what EA does with their franchises. I mean its a good game, but how about new characters? A new look? it just doesn't look like a buy for me. Its so recycled.

For_the_lulz

I played the first stronghold when it came out, and i see the graphics havent been updated at all. Never beat any of them too, so damn hard. I might install it again though.

For_the_lulz

I would always build the most incredible castle ever and then just make a shitload of knights and a few siege weapons, take down their nearest towers and then swarm them. The first wave wouldn't destroy them but it would cripple them so a wave of mercenaries could finish them off.

Spiderbait

@Mlata: Just because a game doesn't have hardware-pushing graphics and doesn't need Quintuple-SLI-Linked GeForce 9800s doesn't mean it's not fun.

I know, I know. Don't feed the trolls.

RPharazonius

age of empires on crack?

biertonco

That looks shitty...

Mlata

I used to take endless joy in cramming 100 archers onto a single tower and then using them to shoot lions.

That or launching cow carcasses at my enemy's castle. "Here comes Bessy!"

RocketSlug

@waitinthecar: Noticed that, and also take a look at his mouth just seconds before de blending, it looks like he was trying to make his mouth look like that one in the box art.

goliathvv

WOuld it hurt to improve graphics just a little? I mean, it isn't the most important part of the game, but the way they did it, it looks like an sketch...

goliathvv

Did anyone else notice how his face blends into the box art at the end? Freaky.

waitinthecar

I really need to beat the first Stronghold...

How many years has it been?

Trystero

You should definitely play Stronghold. One of my favorite RTS games of all time.

Sap_My_Sentry

@Eirias: Turtle gameplay FTW.

Candlejack

I've always wanted to try the first Stronghold. I'd see the game box sitting there at Staples and I'd pick it up and I'd say to myself, "hmm, this looks interesting". But it would never go any further than that.

Dopeski

So I can't be the Muslims?

SSJPabs

So is this gonna be more like the original or more like Stronghold 2? 'cause I played the original and liked it, but I've heard that the second game was...a little bit too complicated in its micromanagement. That and the AI was dumb.

Kavatar

After re-watching that video it appears that, yes, my Archers will continue to destroy all those fools who dare approach my walls. I was always far more interested in building the most impenetrable castle possible at the higher difficulties, rather than unleashing a fury of siege engines, but this still looks to be rather fun.

Eirias

core mechanics and design look great. but the aesthetic looks like it could use a lot of work.

burningranger01

Holy awesome yay.
This is all kinds of kickass. I remember having 4-hour Crusader sessions where I would methodically tore down my enemies' castles.

Also, the trees actually spawned more trees. It was fun to see 5 trees grow into a forest in the span of an hour or so.

RPharazonius

Yesh, I saw a video and heard about it earlier. I loved Stronghold 1 and Crusader, and I even liked Stronghold 2 and especially Stronghold 2: Legends.

Although this sequel may seem out of place since it's 2D and probably uses the same game engine, it's simply a gift for fans that truly love this game/series. I appreciate that. This is a must have for me.

Candlejack

I own Stronghold Deluxe but have never played any of the of the sequels that came after it.

I relly enjoyed the first game, though i found it damn hard and never finished it. I feel like reinstalling it now and trying to play through it again :P

This video looks promising so i might just get this extreme edition whenever it gets released.

Cirrus

Impressive, but will the Archers still rain death upon the masses?

Eirias

No I'm sorry. If the technology exists to make the game look good, there is no excuse other than space and processing limitations to not make the game look good.

Going 2D/Sprite because you don't have the ability to make good game mechanics otherwise is your right, but it also makes your game objectively less worthwhile.

SSJPabs