#Steam stronghold warlords series
#Steam stronghold warlords free

For interested newcomers, the classic style and pick-up and play nature of most of its mechanics make it a solid choice for a purchase. For the hardcore fans looking for a vintage experience, it is a perfect fit. The lack of features out of the gate may hurt it a bit, but Stronghold: Warlords is a game that can still thrive in the RTS landscape with relative ease.

#Steam stronghold warlords series

But at this point it’s clear that the Stronghold series needs a substantial engine overhaul to ensure that future innovations have the intended successful impact on the series. Its foundational systems still hold up and there is certainly effort in the attempts at innovating the series with the Warlords system, expansive unit roster, and the setting. Stronghold: Warlords is a frustrating mixed bag of a game, but there’s undoubtedly fun to be had.

#Steam stronghold warlords free

Also, if it all gets too much just hit up free build mode and explore the new troops, defenses, and mechanics in a far more relaxing environment. However, if you stick it out then you'll find it's all worth it. There are different difficulty levels but if you are new to the franchise or take a while to get your head around how new units and mechanics work the learning curve may feel steep. Still, any fan of the RTS genre and castle-building should find plenty to enjoy. The Warlords system genuinely does a good job of making matches more dynamic, but it's disappointing that a lot of the personality of the series just doesn't feel present. Stronghold Warlords may not have a whole lot outside of the core castle-building and siege loop, but luckily the core mechanics are strong enough that it doesn't matter much.

I don't regret the time spent with Stronghold Warlords, but I wouldn't be devastated to have missed it either.

The historically-based campaigns have some cool missions, but the fact that every faction boils down to a weird amalgamation of such a broad swathe of history and geography in skirmish and multiplayer feels like a missed opportunity. The dated unit models just aren't at all nice to look at, and make me wonder if a game of this budget wouldn't have gotten more bang for their buck going with a more stylized art direction. The gameplay loop is satisfying, the soundtrack is whimsical and when everything runs well it is great, but I sincerely hope the developers at least fix the performance issues. Stronghold: Warlords retains its enjoyable gameplay loop of building a fort and defending it that the fanbase has grown to love about the series, The game is light on content and it really needs more if players are to keep interested in the long term. Review Aggregator: (11:00am EST, 12:00pm AST, 4:00pm GMT Embargo)