Stronghold (1993 video game)
- OS: MS- DOS
- CPU: Intel 386 DX
- RAM: 2 MB
- Graphics Card: VGA
- 6 MB of free hard disk space
- 3.5 " floppy disk drive
Stronghold is a system developed by Stormfront Studios on behalf of SSI building strategy game in real time for the PC, FM Towns and PC -98. It is based on the role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons rules and appeared in 1993. Due to the game concept, it was also called Fantasy Variation of Sim City. Stronghold is considered the first real-time strategy game with a three-dimensional view of the game action.
Gameplay
The basic game idea is the conquest, the development and management of a kingdom by the player. These troops can be recruited from different characters of the known D & D classes ( humans, dwarves, halflings and elves ). The struggles for the conquest and defense of habitable land are based on the D & D rules.
The game begins with the establishment of a central castle. Then the player created in accordance with the AD & D rules a main character with race, class and alignment. In the dominated areas of the players an economic infrastructure to support further conquests must now build and troops dig. But he has also four so-called vassals characters are available, which are created as the main character by the player. Each character type, including the main character has certain advantages and disadvantages for the management of the country. These can be used specifically in certain areas of the territory in order to increase production.
The gameplay is three-dimensionally illustrated in the main view window while the unit management and the organization of infrastructure usually vonstattengeht in hand-drawn 2D menus and surfaces. The production of the play areas randomly based takes place and is joined by five pre-generated maps.
The victory condition for the game is dependent on the disposition selected at the beginning of the character. Righteous characters must climb to the emperor through carefully planned economies nine ranks until the appointment. Chaotic characters must turn off all competitors controlled by the computer, however. Neutral characters must achieve both goals.
Development
Stronghold is the first real-time strategy game in which the game was presented in 3D. However, the game used for this two-dimensional bit-plane graphics that only gave the impression of spaciousness by scaling, the arrangement in layers and clever choice of perspective. The idea for the perspective effect of viewpoint was Developer Don Daglow by its own account after attending a performance of the musical Les Misérables.
Reception
Stronghold has been assessed by various gaming magazines with very good grades. In this review of issue 10/ 93 of the games magazine PC Joker tester Michael Quick certified the game a successful presentation with solid mouse control, whose care in a positive way to Sim City game reminiscent principle for long-lasting motivation. In his test for the U.S. game magazine Computer Gaming World summed tester HE Dille, Stronghold players of SSIs other AD & D titles (Gold Box series, Eye of the Beholder ) offers a new perspective and is highly recommendable.
Rating levels:
- PC Games (10/ 93): 83 %
- PC Joker (10/ 93): 87 %
- Power Play (10/ 93): 85%
In a retrospective designated GameSpy author Allen rush the game as " incredibly pleasant surprise for the few players who actually bought the game," even if it is sometimes difficult to handle because of the handle gameplay to a " developed affection ". In a retrospective on GameSpot authors Andrew Park and Elliott Chin described the game as " respectable strategy game with enough depth of play to entertain the player through".