Stronghold Crusader HD

There are 2 icons (2 games). One is 'Stronghold Extreme' which is the one you get a desktop icon to click and launch the game (I do not recommend it at all as it is beyond ridiculous as how hard the game is) and in the folder where you installed the game you have 'Stronghold Crusader' icon (this is the classic one where you have the campaign where you slowly get more tasks with each mission and more issues to deal with: get food, deal with rats a few missions later and so on, various objectives. This is that nice game people know and love!) 'Stronghold Extreme' is for those who have played 'Stronghold Crusader' for years and click once every second issuing orders, selecting troops, building... Yep: those who play in nitro/turbo mode and that is the 'normal' for them. (the equivalent of those playing Starcraft or Dota or LeagueOfLegends in tournaments).

The main game is an easy 4-5 star game. The only flaw about it is the very predictable and crappy ai. You can manipulate the ai in many easy ways, and when they attack the third or so time, that will always ever be the strongest attack they send over and over. They never vary strategy, or strength. The same attacks with the same numbers and the same units over and over. Barring that the main, base game is great. Crusader extreme is a different story. I am convinced that most missions are impossible without using exploits of some sort(like the easy and quick stone one) and I'm 100% convinced that unless you go offensive early, you will lose. The key with crusader extreme is to destroy their camps as fast as possible. I played a game once where I focused and build up defense before attacking, and by the time my castle was good, there was a nonstop wave of troops coming from the other side. My defense was (barely) holding them off, but I couldn't break through the wave with any sort of attacking force. Extreme is the same old game, with the same leaders and ai, but camps are provided where various and sometimes random troops spawn nonstop all game. and in the cases of some like slaves or spearmen, the numbers that spawn are large. It's much less fun and more of an exercise of pain. Likely closer a 2-3 star for that one for me. Only so high because sometimes you spawn with camps, and those missions can be interesting and fun, and are a bit more fair I feel. And with it being fair it's more fun.

I remember playing this when I was young not thinking much of it. It was good but never really got into it. Now that Im older I see what a fantastically balance, challenging, rewarding and fun game it is! Its a simple RTS that wont be too hard for you to quickly grasp. There are mechanics that function well and lead to satisfying action. The AI is surprisingly varied and capable. If you are an RTS fan well by this point you should already have it and if not now is the time!

This was the first RTS game I played when I was younger and the varierty of different styles and such, I thought that was amazing! And do, to this very day! Each AI has thier own ways of dealin' with the economy which makes them interesting to challange, what type of units they use and such things but... it is all still very balanced! If you want a game which is simple, fun but an experience which can be really challanging to very easy depending on how much time you want to spend in this RTS game. This game provides and is in many ways, one of the best RTS games I have ever played!

One of the greatest realtime strategy games I've ever played. The game plays in one of two ways: a peaceful building sim and a warring strategy campaign. It has an easy interface that doesn't get too cumbersome. You can alter taxes and society to make your soldiers either stronger or weaker. The game doesn't have a large learning curve, and the battles are almost limitless as you can play large maps with several A.I. players. Even enemies and allies have their own personalities. On top of all the pros, this game has an absolutely amazing atmosphere and soundtrack.