Stronghold: Warlords

For the first time ever Stronghold: Warlords allows you to recruit, upgrade and command AI lords directly across the battlefield in the form of in-game ‘Warlords’. Each warlord under your command boosts your strategic prowess with their own unique perks, characteristics and upgradeable abilities. Put them to work for your industry, fortifying borders, forging weapons or team up for a pincer attack! Each campaign mission, skirmish game and multiplayer battle means a fresh set of warlords to command and new strategic depth to discover. The next chapter in Firefly Studios' real-time strategy series, Stronghold: Warlords is Firefly's first game to recreate the castle economies of the Far East. In Warlords you take command of Mongol hordes, imperial warriors and samurai clansmen as you lay siege to Japanese castles and fortified Chinese cities. Besiege historical warlords using new gunpowder-fuelled siege weapons, classic units and a completely new way to play Stronghold.

History

Following the success of Stronghold Crusader 2, Firefly’s first ever self-publishing Stronghold game, early design work began on their next entry in the classic ‘castle sim’ series. A number of prototypes came and went with the intention of adding something completely new to the series’ trademark gameplay. Lead Designer Simon Bradbury knew he wanted to evolve the estates system from previous games, giving players greater control and strategic options across the battlefield. The new Warlords Map was born from this initial design goal and extended to include unique upgradable commanders with their own unique perks and characteristics. When it came to choosing a setting Firefly looked toward a new time and place for their next title. The Far East was chosen as a suitable framework for the warlords, new siege equipment, gunpowder and troops from different cultures across Asia. After just over a year in active development Stronghold: Warlords was revealed at E3 2019.

Features

• CONQUER AND COMMAND WARLORDS across the battlefield unlocking more powerful castles, armies and abilities.
• RECRUIT NEW UNITS including imperial fire lancers, disciplined samurai, Mongolian bowmen and auxiliary laddermen.
• RELIVE HISTORICAL CAMPAIGNS from 3rd century BC China through to the rise of the Shogunate and coming of the Mongol Empire.
• RAZE YOUR ENEMIES with the arrival of gunpowder and new siege equipment such as the fire lance, siege tower and flaming ox!
• BECOME THE GREATEST LORD through fear or admiration using a range of medieval entertainment, taxation and torture.