The maps are also massive, definitely larger, possibly at least four times so. Your reliance on economic judgment as well as solid tactical ability is very much more so important Crusader than it was in the original game as you can command much larger armies this time around, and your settlements become huge too. This is the essence of the game's economic model, and this juggling act is also what makes the game so damn enjoyable too. However all of these things cost a lot so you really need to juggle the competing demands the game makes on your resources. Your people can be made happy with more food, gardens in your town and even taverns and churches help keep their spirits up. If your people are starving, being taxed too high or have another gripe they will begin buggering off on you, and your economic system will eventually grind to a halt. You will also have to make sure they are keen enough on your settlement that you can extract a little coin from them so that you can fund your military expansion. This sounds simple enough, but your people must be kept happy, fed and have somewhere to live.
Your peasants will then wander over to these new buildings and start working for you. If you need more bread you'll need to build bakeries (which cost wood). For example if you want more wood, build woodcutter's huts. This is done by building a workplace for them. They stand around the campfire rubbing their hands, looking grubby and waiting for you to give them a job worthy of their skills. Peasants gather in front of your lord's hut, the central structure of your castle. These are recruited to help build your economy. Indeed it is your people who are your most important resource. To build a strong army you will have to manage resources like food, leather, stone, ale, wood, bread, and all sorts of weapons that you will have to have hand made by specialist craftsmen. This side of the game was always impressive in the original and no major interface changes have been made for Crusader.
And there's lot of information to be mastered too.
The interface is deep and full of options, but it also delivers very concisely all of the information you need to successfully grow your empire. You will then be able to indulge in castle design and tactical combat.
Indeed the latter is very dependant on all being well with the former and in this sense you will only win games if you have a sound sense of how to best manage a feudal economy. In Stronghold (and Crusader) you must manage your economic development as well as oversee your military machine. In case you haven't come across this excellent game in its original incarnation, here is a little background to get you up to speed. The game also sees you leading the Holy Crusades during the 1100s and taking the fight to Saladin and his mates in the medieval Middle East. However this time around you have a lot more combat missions to challenge you, a host of new units and a more polished enemy AI to contend with. Like the original game Crusader sees you ruling the land, running your own castle, developing your economy and of course smiting anyone who dares threaten your dominance. However Crusader had a few of us salivating before its release, as the original game was such a promising appetizer. Stronghold is one of those rare games that comes along without any fanfare and ends up being really special even though nobody really expected much from it.
If you enjoyed the mighty Stronghold, but want a game with even more substance, then sire, your software is ready.