Stronghold: Warlords is a competent and polished RTS that brings in the series an important gameplay addition, while keeping the original RTS firmly at the base of its proposal.

Stronghold: Warlords is the best entry in the series of the last decade, better than the previous chapters.

When it’s fun, it’s really fun. When it isn’t, it’s still totally competent. The final thought will have to come down to whether or not building and knocking down castles sounds like a fun way to spend an evening. If so, then perhaps Stronghold: Warlord is a castle worth besieging.

Stronghold Warlords has a refreshing East Asian setting and satisfying castle building, but it looks and plays like an RTS that was asleep for most of the last decade or two.

Stronghold: Warlords isn't really a bad game, but antiquated mechanics and bland campaigns prevent it from standing out amongst a crowded strategy market.

I like samurais, I like strategy and I like castle-building. Nonetheless Stronghold: Warlords can’t reel me in. There is solid content on display, but it lacks finesse and depth.

Stronghold: Warlords’ innovative potential in its fun gameplay loop and interesting concepts is stifled by an archaic engine and design philosophy.