Hello! Long-time and knowledgeable settlers II player here. As you know, the original game (1997) has a 10-mission campaign with levels both easy and relatively hard. However, there are also 2 custom campaigns, well known to experienced settlers players - "FANpaign" and "2ndpaign". I believe they were both created in the late 1990s, and they are classics in a way now, and obviously a must-have and must play for anyone who considers themselves fans of the game. Oh, and missions can be ridiculously tough at times and are a gift for those seeking new challenge in this game.

So my request is, add them to downloads! Along with instruction on installation. A slight problem is, when they are installed they will overwrite the existing campaign, so that should be addressed in the instructions ("save this or that folder!"). Also, the makers of the campaign were german so the installer is kind of german as well, not much to do about it I guess. But the process of installation itself is pretty straightforward, first files are unpacked to a chosen folder and then you run executable and choose where your settlers 2 folder is. Then you're all set!

Webpage (german): http://www.jnsoftware.de/Siedler2/download.htm
FANpaign link: http://www.jnsoftware.de/Siedler2/download/fanpaign.exe
2ndpaign link: http://www.jnsoftware.de/Siedler2/download/2ndpaign.exe

Edit: the installer is german but all the content (missions descriptions etc) is in english.

I definitely agree with this! If it's possible to internationalize the installers, that'd be great too :).

I've heard about the FANpaign (haven't played it yet) but not the 2ndpaign, so thanks for the tip. @Cyllene, do you have any idea how the campaigns were made? I've seen the map editor, but it seems to be missing some features. For instance, I don't know how to set up harbor points, restrict where the AI can expand or define the starting resources for players.

Tip for those looking for more maps to play - also try Return to the Roots :).
(I would add a link, but it tells me I cannot post any links at this moment... Maybe my low levels of activity at the forums. Anyway, Google Return to the Roots :) )

I dont know anything about the editor, since i'm mostly concerned with the gameplay and finding new challenges.

And the fanpaign and 2ndpaign do a terrific job at that. The first 2 missions of fanpaign are harder than anything you've seen in the original campaign. In mission one, you have to guess the right "trick" to win the game, and execute it carefully. Needless to say, I couldn't guess (I think mahybe 1 % of players did), so I had to look up the german walkhrough. Fortunately though, you can skip this mission :) The second mission is a much more "normal" one, without crazy tricks, but are you pitted against multiple enemies with limited resources and limited time to evacuate... It's definitely refreshing after the "easy" standard campaign.