So, you’ve been looking for an excuse to go medieval, but not sure where to start.

How about taking a step backwards to the Middle Ages with FireFly Studio’s Stronghold. This is essentially a civilization simulation, but the key to its success lies in the fact that it doesn’t try to span several time periods. Nope, this one concentrates on a 150-year time starting in the mid-11th century.

It’s about building castles, and defending them; it’s also about taking care of the peasants you harbor within your walls. In that way, Stronghold has moved away from mainstream civ sims with a goal of only, and embraced that side of the genre which requires that those in power keep their followers happy – much like the game Tropico.

Now one would think that with a simpler time of the world, this game would not be that complicated – but nothing could be further from the truth. This is a complex game, requiring forethought. Having said that, let’s get into the specifics of the game.

If you have played any civ sim before, you will recognize elements of this game, in the realm of control, that are very similar to other games of its ilk. You have to stockpile resources in order to build, and you have to attract citizens to do the work. It is almost a case of if you build it, they will come. Build a woodcutter’s hut, and you may have a woodcutter employed quickly. If you haven’t played this style of game before, no problem – the program comes with a tutorial that will walk you through the basics of the game.

You begin by selecting the parcel of land where you will establish your fiefdom. This can be a key element later in the game. It also determines how you will build. There is no sense in planning to put your front gates right next to a waterfall or waterway, but building on the land above the waterfall is almost akin to building on a hill. When your enemies attack, you will want them enduring the added hardship of fighting uphill. Once your land is selected, you place your initial keep (a very simple structure) and granary, and the game begins. The campfire near the keep acts as a population meter. Like Tropico, you can gauge how your citizens are faring, and what they are thinking by clicking on them. You can tax them, you can ration food supplies, and you can even intimidate them.

Once your castle begins to take shape, you can place articles of beauty about it. However, that tends to slow down the workers, who like to pause and admire it. Now a gibbitt (one of those tiny suspended baskets meant for people who displease the lord or lady) or a stretching rack aren’t things to be admired, and your popularity will slide if you put display them; however, the workers won’t dawdle and you can expand your kingdom faster.

This program uses the typical drag-and-drop method of building. You select the building you wish to erect, then place it within your compound. If the site has any red, you can’t place it there. This is a stock feature of the genre.

The controls don’t take a lot of time to master. They are straightforward in what they do, and arranged for easy access.

Graphically, this game is very well designed. The environments are wonderful, the buildings look great, and the characters (from woodcutters, mill boys and mothers with babies to crossbowmen, knights and monks) are well animated. The weaponry, from siege towers and battering rams to catapults and trebuchets, are delightful to watch.

The sound of this game is well done.

While the game is rather open-ended in the single player option, multiplayer (which can be played over a LAN or the Internet on GameSpy Arcade) has fixed goals – which could include attaining a certain economic status, or laying siege to and killing an opposing player’s lord.

Stronghold is an intriguing and ‘fresh’ perspective on the civilization genre. It is filled with great graphical elements and sound, and plays well. This is a solid and enjoyable outing.

This program is rated Teen for blood and violence

Install: Medium.
This program requires more than 700 megs of hard-drive space, and isn’t exactly a rapid install.

Gameplay: 7.5
Though a little slow at times while building, or stockpiling, this game nonetheless moves along at a nice pace.

Graphics: 8.5
The animations are excellent, and the environmental graphics are lushly rendered.

Sound: 8
The musical score is wonderful, and the effects are on a par with the best games in the genre.

Difficulty: 8
This is a game with many facets. Not only do you have to advance your society and build up those walls before your enemies come a’calling, but you have to deal with popularity. That determines whether you will have an ample workforce, or are building everything yourself.

Concept: 8
The fixed time period really gives this game character and style.

Multiplayer: 7.5
The game has solid support, and the map editor and game winning options are on a par with some of the best in the genre.

Overall: 8.3
Renaissance fairs aside, isn’t it amazing that we had to reach a certain technological level in order to enjoy life in the Middle Ages. Stronghold is a well-designed program, featuring excellent graphics and solid game play. The time frame of the game may be part of its charm, but this program has a lot more going for it than the Middle Ages.