Stronghold Legends

About

"Stronghold Legends: Steam Edition" is a castle-building game that takes the series into the realm of myth and legend. Players can lead the siege asKing Arthur, Vlad Dracula, or Siegfried of Xanten in 24 story missions, using powerful spells, mythical beasts, and legendary hero units to build and destroy castles. The game features remastered Steam-exclusive content, including multiplayer, Workshop support, achievements, new maps, a digital art book, trading cards, and DLC campaigns.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

87%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,774 reviews

gameplay34 positive mentions

optimization10 negative mentions

Stronghold Legends offers a nostalgic experience with its unique fantasy elements, allowing players to command mythical units like dragons and werewolves.
The game features three distinct campaigns with varied playstyles, providing a refreshing twist to the traditional Stronghold formula.
The Steam Edition includes improvements such as workshop support, achievements, and multiplayer functionality, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.

The game suffers from significant balance issues, with certain units being overpowered, leading to frustrating gameplay, especially in multiplayer.
Technical problems are prevalent, including frequent crashes, lag, and poor optimization on modern systems, making it difficult to enjoy the game fully.
The removal of some economic mechanics from previous Stronghold titles has simplified gameplay, which may disappoint fans looking for a deeper castle-building experience.

gameplay
108 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
61%
7%
The gameplay of Stronghold Legends is a blend of classic stronghold mechanics with new fantasy elements, focusing more on military strategy than economic management. While it offers engaging campaigns and a variety of factions that enhance replayability, some players find the mechanics clunky and lacking depth compared to its predecessor, Stronghold 2. Overall, it provides a fun experience with nostalgic value, though it may not satisfy those seeking a more complex gameplay structure.
- “It's fun to see how classic stronghold mechanics are adapted for dragons and magic.”
- “The story is good, and the new mechanics of territory control and mythical units complement the familiar game elements really well.”
- “Where do I begin, Legends is probably one of the best out of the Stronghold game series offering immense battles and immersive gameplay which makes me end up coming back for more even after I rage quit.”
- “Clunky mechanics and buggy gameplay.”
- “It looks weird and plays weird, has the most awkward voiceovers, the changes to gameplay feel completely forced and random; you're basically doing the same things as in all Stronghold games, but nothing feels like it's right.”
- “The huge setback for me was the gameplay and the combat.”
story
92 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
65%
4%
The game's story, while not revolutionary, is engaging and features entertaining campaigns based on legends, particularly the narratives surrounding King Arthur and Vlad the Impaler. Players appreciate the balance and mechanics introduced, which enhance the gameplay experience, although some find the campaign's objectives somewhat simplistic. Overall, the storytelling is considered a strong point, with a mix of enjoyable missions and a charming presentation.
- “The story is good, and the new mechanics of territory control and mythical units complement the familiar game elements really well.”
- “The story of this game is awesome.”
- “It is an enjoyable game with interesting storylines.”
- “The campaign story is decent overall; it's basically an excuse to connect together a series of simple objectives (either attacking or defending).”
- “The ice story feels random, but the missions themselves were enjoyable.”
- “Legends is a broken game with underpowered and overpowered units, and some of the campaign missions are almost impossible.”
graphics
82 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
56%
17%
The graphics of the game are widely regarded as dated, with many reviewers noting that they haven't aged well since their initial release. While some appreciate the nostalgic charm and atmospheric visuals, others criticize the technical issues and lack of modern polish. Overall, the graphics are seen as a mixed bag, offering some enjoyable elements but ultimately falling short of contemporary standards.
- “The game provides a lot of atmosphere and beautiful visuals that will make you lose some time just to admire it all.”
- “I recommend this game because, although being old, it has amazing graphical features and runs smoothly even on the old systems.”
- “Very fun gameplay, and great graphics, also good controls!”
- “The graphics are awful and so is the gameplay; it's nothing like Stronghold 1 and 2, which I really enjoyed.”
- “I wish I could actually have something to say about the game, but I can't because the graphics and frame rate are so bad it makes it impossible to play.”
- “Graphics are incredibly dated, as is to be expected, since the game was, from what I remember, the first one in the series to use 3D rendering.”
optimization
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
28%
56%
The game's optimization has been widely criticized, with users reporting significant performance issues, including lag and stuttering even on high-end systems. While some players appreciate its graphical features and smooth performance on older hardware, many recommend waiting for a sale due to the persistent optimization problems and potential crashes. Overall, the game is seen as needing further patches and improvements to address its optimization shortcomings.
- “I recommend this game because, although being old, it has amazing graphical features and runs smoothly even on old systems.”
- “Also, the free upgrade to the Steam version for anyone who had this previously is a great move. Good job, Firefly! I sort of forgive you for making a 5/10 SHC2 that really still needs patching and optimization.”
- “The game has impressive graphical features and performs well on older systems, making it accessible for a wider range of players.”
- “Poorly optimized, it's laggy on RTX 3060 + 10400F... how?”
- “I played this back in the day, it didn't impress me back then and even less now with all the stuttering and lagging.”
- “This game offers bad optimization, possible crashes, and performance issues (I encountered this on a high-end machine in 2017).”
music
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
31%
19%
The music in the game has received high praise for its ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, with many users highlighting the impressive soundtracks that complement the medieval theme. The compositions, particularly those by Mr. Euvino, are noted for their quality and emotional impact, making them memorable for players. While some mention that the graphics may fall short, the music effectively sets the tone and supports gameplay elements, contributing significantly to the game's immersive experience.
- “Stronghold Legends has great medieval sights and sounds, especially the music.”
- “The original soundtrack of Stronghold will always have a good place in my heart.”
- “The game usually plays some silly song or something (woo!!) but now that we are in the steam era I'm expecting an achievement or two, also.”
- “Graphics are a bit lacking, while the music sets the tone quite adequately.”
- “The music in the background was supporting the fantasy medieval look of the game, while the sound effects were good indicators if a fight is going on or your castle management needs something.”
stability
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
88%
The game is frequently described as buggy, with issues such as crashes, freezes, and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, particularly in multiplayer modes. Despite these stability problems, some players appreciate the nostalgic value and overall enjoyment it offers, considering it one of the best titles in the Stronghold series. However, the persistent technical issues detract from the experience for many users.
- “In summary, great play value, good graphics, bug-free, and a good buy for the money.”
- “I have had a lot of issues with bugs/glitches or the game not even launching.”
- “It constantly crashes, freezes up, or gets stuck allowing you to pan around but not select anything while bandits beat the hell out of your piddly structures and men.”
- “Clunky mechanics and buggy gameplay.”
humor
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted as a standout feature, particularly through the entertaining voice lines of characters, especially the rat, which adds a comedic layer to the strategic gameplay. Players appreciate how the humor complements the serious challenges of economy and castle-building, making the experience both engaging and enjoyable without overwhelming micromanagement. Overall, the game is praised for its unique blend of humor and strategy, setting it apart from its predecessors.
- “Economy-building, castle-building, unit-building, sieging, and crushing your opponents just to hear their humorous voice lines!”
- “Serious challenging strategy, spiced up with humor.”
- “With easy to understand concepts, no tedious micromanagement, humor and challenge.”
atmosphere
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
The atmosphere of Stronghold Legends is widely praised for its enchanting "fairy tale" quality, complemented by beautiful visuals that captivate players and encourage them to take their time exploring the game's world. While some may view certain elements as drawbacks, they are generally seen as fitting within the game's overall atmospheric design.
- “The game provides a lot of atmosphere and beautiful visuals that will make you lose track of time just to admire it all.”
- “While some people might find it a disadvantage, I think it fits into Stronghold Legends' atmosphere.”
- “The game has a 'fairy tale' atmosphere.”
grinding
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
33%
33%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and time-consuming, often requiring a significant investment of time. However, the game balances this with easy-to-understand mechanics, humor, and a level of challenge that keeps some players engaged despite the grind.
- “With easy to understand concepts, no tedious micromanagement, humor, and challenge.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “It's tedious.”
replayability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The game is praised for its high replayability, particularly in skirmish modes, which offer varied experiences. Its appealing visuals enhance the overall enjoyment, making it a compelling choice for players seeking repeated gameplay.
- “Old-school RTS with a lot of replayability.”
- “Very good replay value in skirmishes.”
- “It also looks better, like a fairy tale, and it makes gameplay more enjoyable.”
monetization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization strategy of the game has drawn criticism for prioritizing ads over providing necessary fixes and support, leading to frustration among users. Many feel that the presence of ads detracts from the overall experience, overshadowing the game's potential.
- “You don't get fixes or support, but you get ads. Thanks, Firefly Studios!”
- “Weird launches and what's up with the stupid ads?”
- “You don't get fixes or support, but you get ads. Thanks, Firefly Studios!”