It seems that you're using an outdated browser. Some things may not work as they should (or don't work at all).
We suggest you upgrade newer and better browser like: Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer or Opera

×
Like to get medieval on your foes? Now you can do it in HD!

Stronghold HD and Stronghold Crusader HD, two memorable medieval RTS games simulating pre-firearm warfare, newly upgraded with High Definition graphics, are now available on GOG.com, 20% off! That's only $4.79 for Stronghold HD and $7.99 for Stronghold Crusader HD, until Thursday, November 7, at 10:59 AM GMT.

Stronghold, a 2001 real time strategy game, with managerial and simulation elements, was welcomed enthusiastically both by the gamers and the media. It presented an opportunity to become a medieval warlord in charge of a small army, a piece of land, and high ambitions. Up to this day, the game supports quite a large community of fans creating new maps and modifications, that boost the playtime indefinitely. Stronghold Crusader graced the PCs of strategy fans in 2002. It took the multi-layered gameplay of its predecessor and placed it in the setting of the Middle East in the time of Crusades. With great range of things the player had to take care of--including establishing a sustainable economy, erecting a keep and defending it from enemy raids, and finally conquering neighbouring estates--both games presented a worthwhile challenge to strategy fans.

Stronghold HD and Stronghold Crusader HD are the High Definition editions of these two "castle sim" classics. Adjusted to modern displays they allow for much better control of the playfield and deliver awe-inspiring view of life-like medieval landscape. The HD versions will replace the classic editions (Stronghold Crusader HD is also upgraded to the "Extreme" version) and if you already own one or both of them, you now get a free update! If, for whatever reason, you prefer the classic Stronghold and Stronghold Crusader, you can still download them from your shelf. If you didn't have the pleasure to get acquainted with the series, you have no more excuse not to do so, as we offer you each game with a 20% discount!

Did you ever wanted to be adressed as "Sire"? Here's your chance to become a medieval lord! Grab Stronghold HD for only $4.79 and Stronghold Crusader HD for only $7.99.

Before you rush off to get those strategy classics, or if you're already back after buying them, take a moment to listen to the games' developer!
Neat, free upgrade. Only made me wonder why I didn't receive an "updated" message. o_o

Btw, guys: I'm quite sure that the credit for making this a free upgrade goes to the devs/publisher, not GOG.
Wow, what a nice surprise.

Thanks to Firefly for this. Truly awesome.

And btw, to anyone who doesn't have these games yet, I have both and quite frankly they are two of THE best games I have bought in the last couple of years.

The amount of gameplay time is phenomenal with the regular missions plus the economic missions plus the historical missions etc. and the missions are incredibly fun to play.

Honestly, if you want the best bang for your buck these two games are top 5 on GOG, IMO.
avatar
Balious: Can only afford to get one.. Which one to buy.. I do not know... Choices choices...
avatar
Roman5: other people might disagree with me on this one but...

I always start from the first game in the series, I would advise you to do the same
I often end up going for whichever people like better, but at the same time I often find that I enjoy the first game in a series more. Dunno why.
avatar
F4LL0UT: Neat, free upgrade. Only made me wonder why I didn't receive an "updated" message. o_o

Btw, guys: I'm quite sure that the credit for making this a free upgrade goes to the devs/publisher, not GOG.
And it's really nice to see they actually went back to their older, solid games to patch them up... the newer ones weren't that good, as far as I've heard/read, with Stronghold 3 being outright horrible.
avatar
Balious: Can only afford to get one.. Which one to buy.. I do not know... Choices choices...
avatar
Roman5: other people might disagree with me on this one but...

I always start from the first game in the series, I would advise you to do the same
Yep, buy the first one. I love them both, but the first one is truly phenomenal.
avatar
Roman5: And besides, if you play the first Duke Nukem games first, you know why Duke 3D starts off with "Damn, those alien bastards are gonna pay for shooting up my ride" ;)
I never played them. Why does he start off with "Damn, those alien bastards are gonna pay for shooting up my ride?"

Also, that's easily my favorite quote in the whole game.
avatar
Roman5: And besides, if you play the first Duke Nukem games first, you know why Duke 3D starts off with "Damn, those alien bastards are gonna pay for shooting up my ride" ;)
avatar
jefequeso: I never played them. Why does he start off with "Damn, those alien bastards are gonna pay for shooting up my ride?"

Also, that's easily my favorite quote in the whole game.
You'll have to play Duke Nukem 2 to find out :P
Post edited November 01, 2012 by Fuzzyfireball
avatar
jefequeso: I never played them. Why does he start off with "Damn, those alien bastards are gonna pay for shooting up my ride?"

Also, that's easily my favorite quote in the whole game.
avatar
Fuzzyfireball: You'll have to play Duke Nukem 2 to find out :P
Well, maybe. I wasn't much of a fan of Duke 3d, though... then again, I suppose the 2d gameplay is significantly different.
avatar
Fuzzyfireball: You'll have to play Duke Nukem 2 to find out :P
avatar
jefequeso: Well, maybe. I wasn't much of a fan of Duke 3d, though... then again, I suppose the 2d gameplay is significantly different.
This convo reminded me a couple days ago I was watching an LP of that DNF DLC, and was surprised to see the villain in it was Dr. Proton. But the LP'er had NO idea who it was :D

(and for anyone here that doesn't know: http://dukenukem.wikia.com/wiki/Dr._Proton)
Post edited November 01, 2012 by Fuzzyfireball
My first thought was "Oh hell no. Don't make me buy Stronghold AGAIN."

And then it was something more along the lines of "Squeeee!" when I saw I got upgraded to it for free.
avatar
spindown: Thank you for not removing the non-HD versions!
This is actually more noteworthy nowadays!
Nice. I've been looking forward to this. This is not so much an HD upgrade to me, rather than just widening my field of view to the sides - my native resolution is 1366x768 - so this'll be good. :)

Also, Space Colony HD? Fuck yeah! I really hope that game will finally come to GOG then. I hope Firefly will eventually be more than a one-trick pony again. Stronghold is fun and all, but I would have suffered some serious burnout if that's all I'd been working on for the better part of a decade. I don't envy those devs. =P

avatar
Balious: Can only afford to get one.. Which one to buy.. I do not know... Choices choices...
I'd definitely recommend the first one then, especially in the case of not knowing how much you'd end up liking it. It's got a real campaign with some cheesy, fun cutscenes. Crusader's campaign seemed rather lackluster in comparison. The latter still is a fun to play, and it certainly has a great ambiance - the music is fantastic - but it all really boils down to a string of increasingly difficult missions rather than following any sort of real narrative.

Also, Crusader pretty much expects you to know what you're doing as its introductory/tutorial section is awfully short. Stronghold 1 does a much better job at easing you into the different mechanics. Consequently, by the time you may actually get around to playing Crusader you will know your way around and not fumble about like I'd expect most new players would do.

Lastly, while I quite enjoy Crusader's theme (and it has a skirmish play option, plus teamplay option in multi), I seem to have a preference for Stronghold 1's traditional European medieval settings versus Crusader's desert arena.

avatar
jefequeso: I often end up going for whichever people like better, but at the same time I often find that I enjoy the first game in a series more. Dunno why.
In this instance though I recommend the first one though because of above reasons. ;) Crusader still is a terrifically fun game though, once the original has been flogged to death, and it's actually my preferred choice for multiplayer as it offers better options there.


EDIT: Hell yes! After installing both games just now, I noticed the new Crusader installer comes with both Extreme and the old Crusader updated to HD. Thank you, Firefly! I much prefer the original.
Post edited November 01, 2012 by mistermumbles
i find it startling that people don't realise that EVERYBODY who already owns the standard edition of these games gets the HD upgrade for free. this doesn't have anything to do with GOG. it's a free service provided by Firefly themselves.
Post edited November 01, 2012 by Fred_DM
avatar
Fred_DM: i find it startling that people don't realise that EVERYBODY who already owns the standard edition of these games gets the HD upgrade for free. this doesn't have anything to do with GOG. it's a free service provided by Firefly themselves.
Congratulations, you found something to complain about even in this thread ;-)

Besides, it isn't free for GOG to devote manpower to update their releases and post a news item about it. GOG is different from the other digital game stores that I know of in that they care about things like this and I think they deserve credit for it.
Post edited November 01, 2012 by Sargon
If only it was released on Steam also today
Or I wasn't tempted by the fairly cheap pack with 2 and Legends
Post edited November 01, 2012 by SovietSharkey