Stronghold Legends is a 2006 castle-based real-time strategy game by Firefly Studios. It follows in the series of Stronghold and Stronghold 2.
Unlike the previous Stronghold titles, Legends gives the player a choice of different starting rulers with different troop types (including King Arthur and his knights of the round table, Count Vlad Dracul, and Siegfried
of Xanten). Other new features include cooperative multiplayer against
computer-controlled opponents and the choice between different
gameplay options for online play (Deathmatch, King of the Hill, Economic War, and Capture the Flag).
Each faction has new unit groups unique to each faction. Most special
units have their own unique ability, which must be recharged after they
are used. Dragons are also available to every faction, but have a set
lifetime. All other special units remain on the map until they die. In
story mode the players not necessarily bound to their factions special
units. For example, King Arthur can make use of the Ice Tower instead of
the Round Table for more balanced game play.
Stronghold Legends has been made using a similar graphics engine as Stronghold 2
- the game appeared to be a minor rehash of the previous game on the
first inspection. However, playing it revealed that the graphics were
considerably improved and new music tracks had been added. More units
were available; features like crime were removed entirely, minor changes
like this have altered the gameplay experience slightly. It was
included in the Mastertronic range of games in the UK, showing its
popularity.
There are three story lines that follow 3 different lords and their
conquests. Each storyline also has a corresponding campaign difficulty
but the gameplay difficulty can be changed independently. Each campaign
has its own set of heroes and special units that corresponds with the
campaigns theme. The defensive buildings will also change depending on
the level and campaign. The modes are as follows:
King Arthur (Easy): This storyline follows King Arthur and his Knights of The Round Table.
Merlin frequently becomes a necessary part of the campaign. The first
two missions of this campaign must be completed before choosing another
storyline. The environment found in this storyline is lush and vibrant
with plenty of trees.
Ice (Medium): This storyline follows Siegfried of Xanten and his
conquest in the snowy north. The environment is almost completely
covered in snow and dragons frequently nest in the hills around the map.
This campaign is harder due to more hazards from special units as well
as the Frost Giants present throughout much of the campaign. The
special units of this campaign are frost themed with corresponding
abilities.
Evil (Hard): This storyline follows Count Vladislav Dracul
(A.K.A. Vlad the Impaler). The environment of this campaign is a dead
land that has been corrupted. This campaign includes various new special
units for Vlad but few appear on the enemies side. Vlad's campaign is
challenging due to enormous amounts of enemy knights and pikemen
as well as large requirements that must be met to advance into the
next level. The special units of this campaign are werewolves, demons,
and various corrupted creatures as well as new siege weaponry.
