Stronghold Crusader 2, we hardly knew ye. When we first met, you were a timid lad. Your walls were weak, your multiplayer options were scant, and your maps were trendy and foreign. Nevertheless, we found you likable and good for a round of 2 player co-op trebuchet simulation. Something was lacking, though, perhaps the lack of map variety. No more can we bellow our cries of change, for come December 9th our wishes shall be fulfilled! This must truly be the winter of our contentment, the season our wall-based dreams come true. Oh happy, happy day.
The winter update for Stronghold Crusader 2 is its largest yet and adds a significant amount of content and replayability to a game that was initially a bit light for its price tag. The foremost of these additions is full integration with the Steam Workshop for custom maps and missions. Map creators no longer have to invite their friends over to huddle around the dim glow of their CRT monitor and check out this sweet version of Minas Tirith they made last night. Now, users can simply publish their interpretation of the Siege of Constantinople directly to the Steam Workshop for all to see, play, and mock for its historical inaccuracy.
While the Steam Workshop integration means that loads of player-made maps will be available in the near future, FireFly Studios is also making 6 classic maps available the moment the update hits. These maps, which were determined by all sorts of social media input from fans, are 3D remakes of the ones we all fell in love with way back in 2002, back when Windows XP was all the rage, and everyone thought the Spider-Man movies might actually turn out alright.
Finally, FireFly has shown further receptiveness to fan commentary with the introduction of more advanced options for multiplayer games, such as "Double Health" walls and resource trade restrictions. More options are said to be revealed when the patch drops on December 9th, so I'm still hoping for one that allows me to transform all the peasants into adorable, but hard-working puffins who are just trying to eke out a living in this harsh desert world.