Yet one other sequence introduced to be returning at E3 is Firefly’s Stronghold sequence. Stronghold: Warlords transplants the RTS game of European (and Arabic) fortress constructing and siege-ing to the east, with Japan, Korea, China and different nations represented. Warlords can be increasing the game outwards, and including a ‘light’ grand technique layer, letting gamers boss across the titular warlords; AI managed minor factions that may work for or towards you. While not fairly as sprawling as a Total War game or Sins Of A Solar Empire, it’s an attention-grabbing technique to develop the design. See how the warlords work within the trailer under.
The Stronghold sequence has had some ups and downs (the much less stated about Stronghold 3, the higher), however began out on a really robust, compelling basis. Building large castles with traps and defences, after which heading off large waves of attackers is all the time compelling stuff. The transfer to bigger maps with AI factions is breaking new floor for the sequence, and a problem that I hope FireFly can rise to. Other studios have tried to mix conventional RTS and grand technique motifs, however few have pulled it off, with Ironclad’s (nonetheless very actively modded) Sins Of A Solar Empire being probably the most notable.
It seems like FireFly are absolutely dedicated to the japanese setting of their single participant modes, with a number of campaigns with curiously various themes. One will deal with the rise of the Japanese Shogunate, one other, warfare in third century BC China and a 3rd will chart the advance of the Mongol Empire. The cultures all have distinct appears already, with China getting its iconic high-walled cities, whereas Japan has a snazzy line in ornate, towering castles. I’m curious to see how all these takes on warfare will mesh underneath a single, unified management system. It’s a daring comeback for the sequence, and probably a dangerous one. Fingers crossed.
Stronghold: Warlords is due out someday subsequent yr, and you’ll see a couple of extra screenshots on its Steam store page or official site here.
See our E3 2019 tag for extra information, previews, opinions, and more and more surreal liveblogs.
