Stronghold 2: Steam Edition restores multiplayer
Ladders up
A new edition of Stronghold 2 [official site] is coming to Steam with some fresh textures, a nicer interface and, most importantly, fully restored multiplayer – a feature that has been missing since GameSpy Arcade collapsed and died in 2013, rendering matchmaking impossible. The new edition will also be free for anyone who already owns the Stronghold Collection, say developers Firefly Studios in a video explaining all the small licks-of-paint and changes to the game. A video which you, my friend, can find ↯ dowwwwwn theerrrrrrre ↯
I’m not sure how rapturous Stronghold fans will be at the news of a refreshed version of the second game. Will people flock to the Steam multiplayer, or will they just sort of amble? I missed out on the series but have heard that the Crusader spin-offs are the route to take if you want the best battles and besieging. Our Alec certainly wasn’t that impressed by Stronghold 3 when he reviewed it all the way back in 2011.
But if an old-fashioned medieval RTS is what you’re after, it looks like an inexpensive punt (the Collection is currently seven quid in the summer sale). The standalone version will release some time this summer, says Firefly. It’s a bit of trend this sprucing up of castle-bashing strategy games, as Age of Empires is also set to get a Definitive Edition, while its sequel Age of Empires II is still getting expansions. What!?