Stronghold 3 Review After Patches: A Frustrating Experience

I had high hopes for Stronghold 3, especially since I enjoyed the first game in the series. Unfortunately, my experience with this latest installment has been disappointing, to say the least. Despite its visually appealing graphics, the game is marred by frustrating gameplay mechanics and poor video settings.

One of the most baffling changes is the removal of the ability to hit the space bar to switch to a 2D view without obstacles or walls. Instead, the space bar now zooms you out completely, making it difficult to navigate the map. Building structures in the game has also become more challenging, and the highest resolution setting falls short of what my system is capable of.

The visuals are another area where Stronghold 3 falls short. The game's video settings are odd, and it only fills the center part of my widescreen monitor. This limited display makes it difficult to fully appreciate the graphics. Furthermore, the game seems designed for older CRT monitors, with a resolution that is far from optimal.

On the positive side, Stronghold 3 does offer some innovative features. The ability to zoom in and out using the mouse wheel is a welcome addition, allowing players to get up close and personal with their creations or view them from a distance. The maps are also more compact and efficient, with less wasted space.

Unfortunately, these positives are overshadowed by the game's frustrating pace and poor design choices. I've only played through four scenarios of the military campaign so far, but I'm already doubting whether I'll make it to the end. Stronghold 3 has been a disappointing experience, and I'm not sure if I'll continue playing.

Overall, my review of Stronghold 3 after patches is mixed. While the game has some nice visuals and innovative features, its poor video settings, frustrating gameplay mechanics, and limited resolution hold it back from being an enjoyable experience.

Stronghold 3 review after patches