Introduction
Since its debut in 2001, the Stronghold series has stood as a titan of the castle-building and medieval strategy genres. Developed by Firefly Studios, these games have captivated millions with their blend of real-time tactics, city-building, and immersive historical flavor.
Stronghold‘s DNA can be traced through a lineage of successors that have transported players from the Crusades to feudal Japan and beyond. In this article, we‘ll examine the legacy of Stronghold and highlight 12 outstanding games that follow in its footsteps. We‘ll explore how these titles bring the Middle Ages to life through their mechanics, aesthetics, and storytelling.
The Appeal of Medieval Games
What is it about the medieval era that makes it such an enduring setting for strategy games? One key factor is the period‘s rich tapestry of warfare, politics, and culture that lends itself to compelling gameplay systems. Dr. Robert Houghton, a historian at the University of Winchester who studies medieval games, explains:
"Medieval warfare was a complex affair involving castles, sieges, and varied unit types like infantry, cavalry, and artillery. Games like Stronghold simulate this in an accessible yet deep manner. Players must balance military concerns with economic management and social factors, reflecting the many forces that shaped the medieval world."
Indeed, Stronghold and its ilk often feature intricate economic engines where players must gather resources, establish production chains, and trade with neighboring kingdoms to fund their war efforts. This mirrors the critical role that resources and logistics played in medieval conflicts, as noted by medievalist Dr. Kelly DeVries:
"Successful medieval commanders had to be masters of supply lines and resource allocation as much as battlefield tactics. Fortifications like castles served as the lynchpins of these logistical networks. Games that model castle-building, farming, and manufacturing offer a simplified but insightful look at these dynamics."
The Stronghold Series
First released in 2001 by Firefly Studios, the original Stronghold was a revelation in medieval gaming. It combined elements of real-time strategy, city-building, and resource management into a cohesive whole. Players took on the role of a feudal lord tasked with developing a castle and its surrounding lands while fending off enemy invasions.
Stronghold‘s standout feature was its siege warfare system. Armies could batter down walls with trebuchets, storm gates with battering rams, or sneak in via siege towers and ladders. The physics-based destruction lent weight and realism to every assault. On the defense, players could construct concentric walls, position archers in towers, pour boiling oil on attackers, and much more.
Subsequent games expanded the core formula while exploring new settings and mechanics:
- Stronghold: Crusader (2002) moved the action to the Middle East during the Crusades, adding new units and resources unique to the region.
- Stronghold 2 (2005) introduced gunpowder weapons, crime and punishment systems, and larger castle designs.
- Stronghold Legends (2006) featured three fantasy campaigns starring King Arthur, Count Vlad Dracul, and Siegfried of Xanten.
- Stronghold Crusader 2 (2014) returned to the Crusades with updated 3D visuals and new units like the fearsome Templar Knights.
- Stronghold: Warlords (2021) brought the series to ancient and medieval East Asia, spanning conflicts from 3rd century BC China to the 16th century AD Sengoku Jidai of Japan.
To date, the series has sold over 7 million copies worldwide, according to publisher Firefly Studios. Its enduring popularity is a testament to its engrossing blend of history and strategy gaming.
Games Inspired by Stronghold
Stronghold‘s success paved the way for a new generation of medieval games that iterated on its base-building, combat, and economic mechanics. Here are 12 standout examples that any Stronghold fan should check out:
1. Age of Empires II (1999)
An iconic real-time strategy game set in the Middle Ages, Age of Empires II spans over 1000 years of history and features 13 playable civilizations. While more combat-focused than Stronghold, it still offers robust economic systems and tech trees. Its 2019 Definitive Edition update keeps the game feeling fresh over two decades later.
AoE2 has sold over 20 million copies as of 2020, making it one of the most commercially successful strategy games ever. Its thriving esports scene, with major tournaments like Red Bull Wololo, underscores the game‘s lasting competitive appeal.
2. Crusader Kings series (2004 – present)
Paradox Interactive‘s Crusader Kings games offer a unique blend of grand strategy and medieval dynasty simulation. CK3, released in 2020 to critical acclaim, casts players as feudal rulers who must navigate a web of political intrigue, religious conflict, and familial drama to expand their realms.
Rather than Stronghold‘s action-oriented sieges, warfare in CK3 involves maneuvering armies around a map and dealing with the political fallout of conquests. The game simulates medieval society in incredible detail, from peasant uprisings to papal politics.
Dr. Matthew Gabriele, a medievalist consultant on CK3, highlights how the game models the era‘s power dynamics: "CK3 captures the feudal relationships between lords and vassals that were so crucial to medieval politics. Rulers had to carefully balance their own ambitions with the demands of their court and subordinates. The game incentivizes roleplaying within those hierarchical confines."
3. Becastled (2021)
Becastled adapts Stronghold‘s formula into a snappy wave-based survival game. Solo or with up to 3 friends in co-op, you must rapidly construct and defend a castle against escalating enemy attacks.
With its minimalist low-poly aesthetic and roguelike structure, Becastled distills medieval RTS action down to its essence. Randomized maps, factions, and siege weapons keep the short matches feeling fresh and unpredictable.
4. Manor Lords (upcoming)
Currently in development, Manor Lords is an ambitious medieval strategy game that aims to blend the intimate scope of Stronghold with the epic scale of Total War. As a feudal lord in 11th century England, you‘ll manage villages and towns, command troops in tactical real-time battles, and scheme your way up the political ladder.
Solo developer Greg Styczen has emphasized historical authenticity in the game‘s mechanics and aesthetics. Settlements and castles will be constructed using period-accurate techniques, while the changing seasons and weather impact everything from farming yields to battlefield conditions. Manor Lords seems poised to set a new standard for historical realism in medieval games.
5. Foundation (2019)
Foundation is a grid-less medieval city-builder with a focus on organic, freeform development. With no predetermined structures or paths, you‘re free to layout your settlement as you see fit. The game places a heavy emphasis on monument-building, with massive cathedrals and castles taking center stage.
What sets Foundation apart is its "villager AI" system, where citizens dynamically interact with the buildings and resources around them. Each villager has their own needs and behaviors that drive the flow of goods and labor throughout your city. This emergent approach to medieval economics allows for more natural, reactive gameplay than Stronghold‘s rigid production chains.
6. Going Medieval (2021)
Dubbed "Medieval Rimworld" by some fans, Going Medieval is a colony management sim set in the Dark Ages after a plague has wiped out 95% of the population. You‘ll guide a ragtag group of survivors as they eke out a living in a dangerous world.
The game‘s standout feature is its three-dimensional building system, which allows for sprawling multi-level forts with plenty of architectural possibilities. Your colonists will also have to contend with invaders, each sporting unique gear and tactics. With a grim setting and granular mechanics, Going Medieval offers a grounded take on medieval survival.
7. Knights and Merchants (2001)
Released the same year as Stronghold, Knights and Merchants is another medieval RTS that‘s light on combat but heavy on economic management. Set in Western Europe circa 1200 AD, the game puts you in charge of a merchant guild that must gather resources, produce goods, and trade with neighboring fiefdoms.
One of the game‘s more distinctive mechanics is its fixed-placement buildings, meaning structures like sawmills or bakeries can only be built in predetermined locations. This forces players to carefully consider the layout and flow of their production chains. While not as flashy as some other medieval games, Knights and Merchants still holds up as a challenging mercantile sim.
8. Northgard (2018)
Northgard transplants the Stronghold formula to the Viking Age, casting players as Norse clan leaders who must explore, gather resources, and battle for control of a mysterious newfound continent. In addition to rival clans, the wilderness also holds mythological beasts and undead warriors that add a fantastical element to the game‘s Norse trappings.
Northgard streamlines some of the micromanagement of Stronghold, resulting in a faster-paced game that still rewards strategic planning. Weather and seasonal effects like blizzards and droughts significantly impact resource production, putting the onus on players to stockpile food and materials for the winter months. Overall, Northgard is a great medieval RTS for those seeking a balance of depth and accessibility.
9. Ancestors Legacy (2018)
Ancestors Legacy is a squad-based RTS set in medieval Europe, with four playable factions based on the Vikings, Anglo-Saxons, Germans, and Slavs. The game prioritizes historical authenticity, with period-accurate arms and armor for each faction.
Like Stronghold, Ancestors Legacy features a story-driven campaign spanning multiple maps and objectives. However, the gameplay is more focused on small-scale tactical combat, with each squad made up of 5-10 individual soldiers. Careful positioning and use of abilities is key to victory, as is managing the morale of your men.
10. The Settlers series (1993 – present)
The Settlers is a long-running series of medieval city-builders that, like Stronghold, combine elements of real-time strategy and resource management. The games are known for their intricate supply chain mechanics, where every citizen has a specific role in the production process.
The most recent entry, The Settlers (2022), modernizes the classic formula with updated 3D graphics and a new quest system. With three distinct factions and a story-driven campaign, it‘s a solid entry point for newcomers to the series.
11. Banished (2014)
Banished is a city-building survival game set in a fantasy medieval world. Players take control of a small group of exiled travelers who must start a new life in the wilderness. The game features a robust economy system where citizens have various needs and roles within the community.
One of Banished‘s strengths is its challenging difficulty, as small mistakes can quickly snowball into famine or population loss. Weather also plays a significant role, with harsh winters that can halt production and kill off vulnerable citizens. While not as combat-focused as Stronghold, Banished scratches a similar itch for medieval micromanagement.
12. Life is Feudal: Forest Village (2017)
A spin-off of the hardcore medieval MMORPG Life is Feudal, Forest Village is a city-builder that emphasizes realism and survival elements. Set in a pseudo-medieval environment, the game tasks players with leading a small group of settlers as they establish a new home in the wilderness.
Like Banished, Forest Village features a complex economy where citizens have various needs and professions. The game also simulates a realistic ecosystem, with wildlife and vegetation that respond to the player‘s actions. Threats like harsh weather, wild animal attacks, and resource scarcity keep the player on their toes.
Modding and Historical Accuracy
Many medieval games have thriving modding communities that add new content, tweak mechanics, or enhance historical authenticity. Stronghold 2, for example, has a popular "Realistic and Historical" mod that overhauls the game‘s economy, combat, and castle designs to better match the realities of the Middle Ages.
Total conversion mods can transport the Stronghold formula to entirely new settings. Age of Empires 2 has a robust selection, including "Age of Dynasties" (ancient China), "Age of Samurai" (feudal Japan), and "Wars of Liberty" (18th century America). These mods showcase the versatility and enduring appeal of the castle-building genre.
Some mods even blur the line between game and educational tool. Dr. James Sweney, a history professor at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, has used a modified version of Crusader Kings 2 to teach students about medieval dynastic politics and warfare. As academic interest in "serious games" continues to grow, we may see more medieval titles embrace mod-ability as a way to enhance their historical value.
The Future of Medieval Strategy Games
As we‘ve seen, the legacy of Stronghold extends far beyond the series itself. Its DNA can be found in everything from city-builders to 4X games to survival sims. As technology and game design continue to evolve, what might the future hold for medieval strategy titles?
One trend is the increasing use of procedural generation and AI to create more dynamic, living worlds. Imagine a game where castles and cities evolve organically over time, where AI-driven characters have complex needs and agendas, and where the simulation can react to the player‘s choices in unpredictable ways. Games like Dwarf Fortress and Rimworld offer a glimpse of this potential, and it‘s exciting to think about how these ideas could be applied to a medieval setting.
Another area ripe for exploration is multiplayer. While Stronghold and many of its successors feature competitive and cooperative modes, there‘s room for more persistent, MMO-like experiences in the genre. A game that combines Stronghold‘s castle-building and real-time siege combat with the political intrigue and dynastic progression of Crusader Kings could be immensely compelling.
Advancements in VR and AR could also bring new dimensions to medieval gaming. Imagine being able to walk the walls of your virtual castle, inspect your granaries and armories up close, or survey a battlefield from atop a war horse. While the technology may not be quite there yet, the prospect of a fully-immersive medieval strategy game is tantalizing.
Whatever the future holds, one thing is certain: the Middle Ages will continue to be a rich wellspring of inspiration for strategy game developers. As long as there are players who dream of building mighty fortresses, waging epic sieges, and carving out kingdoms in a feudal world, the spirit of Stronghold will endure.
Conclusion
In the two decades since its release, Stronghold has left an indelible mark on the world of medieval gaming. Its blend of real-time strategy, city-building, and historical flavor has inspired a new generation of titles that transport players to the Middle Ages like never before.
From the epic campaigns of Age of Empires 2 to the political intrigue of Crusader Kings 3, from the survival challenges of Going Medieval to the city-planning of Foundation, these games offer a diverse range of experiences that all share a common DNA with Stronghold. They showcase the depth and complexity of the medieval world, while also highlighting the enduring appeal of the castle-building formula.
As we‘ve seen, the genre continues to evolve in exciting ways, embracing new technologies, modding communities, and gameplay innovations. The future looks bright for medieval strategy games, and Stronghold‘s legacy is sure to loom large for years to come.
So whether you‘re a die-hard Stronghold fan or a newcomer to the genre, there‘s never been a better time to immerse yourself in the Middle Ages. Grab your mouse, flex your strategic muscles, and prepare to build, battle, and besiege your way through history. The castle gates are open, and adventure awaits!
