Info about Stronghold 3 Gold:

Official game description:
  
**Stronghold 3: Gold** is the long-awaited third installment in the award winning castle-building series. Set 10 years after the original, the Wolf it seems, has cheated death and during his painful recovery he’s become even more bitter and twisted. Now he seeks revenge. Raiding villages and towns during the dead of night, the Wolf has created a tide of panic and you and your allies are the only force that stand against him. In this stunning new update to the world’s favorite Castle Sim - will you triumph by day or die by night?  
Key features:
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*   Build and manage mighty castles with an improved building system allowing unprecedented levels of realism and intricacy  
*   Realistic physics and cutting-edge graphics make siege warfare more brutal than ever.  
*   Watch your village spring to life in an amazing depiction of medieval village life  
*   Story-driven gameplay engages players across two campaigns: combat or economic  
*   Dramatic night time sieges add a new dimension to the Stronghold franchise  
*   Besiege other players’ castles or defend your own in a range of action-packed online multiplayer modes  
*   Attack or defend accurately re-created castles from the pages of history. Will you succeed where others failed?

Release date: May 25, 2012

Categories: City Builder, Real-time Strategy, Medieval Setting, Resource Management, Siege Warfare, Single-player Story, Economy System, Dynamic Weather

Feature scans:
- Proton/Linux: score 75; verdict: Barely playable on Linux; summary: Based on two reviews, the native Linux version of Stronghold Crusader Extreme suffers from very poor performance during campaigns and a bug report popup after exit. One review describes Linux support as 'kinda' and lists cons such as weird building placement and inability to zoom out, which may be cross-platform issues. Overall, Linux compatibility is rough and not recommended.
- Steam Deck: score 75; verdict: Broken on Linux with stability and control issues; summary: The game suffers from poor performance and stability issues on Linux, including a crash popup on exit. Controls feel sluggish and UI elements like building placement and zoom are problematic. Users strongly advise against buying the Linux version.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $0.00 - $5.00
  - Reasoning: Multiple reviews indicate that Stronghold 3 is only considered acceptable at very low prices, typically between $3 and $5. Some reviewers explicitly state it is not worth more than $5, while others suggest that even a 90-95% discount (implying $2.50-$5 if the original price is $50) should be the standard. However, a significant number of reviewers claim the game is not worth even that, setting a lower bound near zero. The consensus ranges from $0 to $5, with $3-$5 being the most cited fair sale price, but the negative sentiment pushes the fair base-game value very low.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 10.5h
  - Story completion: N/A
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The first quote directly states total time to complete all campaigns (military, economic, DLC) as just under 11 hours, providing a strong basis for gameCompletion. The second quote specifies the economic campaign alone takes about 6 hours, but this is not the main story campaign, so storyCompletion cannot be accurately determined. The third quote suggests overall game length of 7-10 hours, consistent with the 11-hour figure. No reliable session length or endgame data is available.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: Stronghold 3 Gold Edition is reported as persistently boring and broken, with no turning point to enjoyment. The game fails to engage players from the outset due to poor design, technical issues, and missing features.
  - Stance: Never clicks
  - Anchor: N/A
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: boring campaign and missions; glitches in physics and pathfinding; weird and clunky wall placement system; no skirmish mode versus AI; broken or dead multiplayer; low building and troop limits
  - Unlock drivers: N/A
  - Conditions: expecting a functional skirmish mode; expecting enjoyable single-player content; desire for engaging campaign; previous Stronghold game nostalgia; looking for working multiplayer; tolerance for technical issues
- Player Archetypes:
  - Disappointed Franchise Veteran (no buy)
    - Motivation: Nostalgia for classic Stronghold gameplay and disappointment that the series has declined.
    - Playstyle: Prefers classic skirmish against AI, city building, and multiplayer with friends. Avoids the buggy singleplayer missions.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: veteran; series fan
    - Reference games: Stronghold; Stronghold Crusader; Stronghold 2; Stronghold Legends; Stronghold Crusader 2
  - Casual Builder Enthusiast (sale)
    - Motivation: Enjoyment of medieval economy simulation and castle construction without pressure.
    - Playstyle: Plays singleplayer campaigns, economic missions, and builds aesthetically. Avoids multiplayer.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: casual; economic game fan; builder enthusiast
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Budget-Minded Nostalgia Seeker (deep sale)
    - Motivation: Cheap nostalgia and collection completion.
    - Playstyle: Plays singleplayer campaigns occasionally; tolerates bugs due to low price.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: deep sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Beautiful and polished graphics (weight 0.21): The graphics are considered gorgeous and the best in the series, holding up well. They are much improved over previous titles.
- Classic Stronghold experience (weight 0.17): Players feel this game delivers a classic Stronghold experience, comparable to Stronghold 2 but with better performance. It is enjoyable for fans of the series.
- 360-degree building rotation (weight 0.15): Buildings can now be rotated in full 360 degrees, offering more flexibility than previous titles. This unique feature enhances creative castle design.
- Engaging castle building (weight 0.14): Building and defending castles feels satisfying and engaging, especially in free mode. The system allows for realistic designs.
- Amazing soundtrack (weight 0.12): The soundtrack is amazing and the background music is relaxing and nice. It enhances the overall atmosphere.
- Dynamic weather adds atmosphere (weight 0.12): The dynamic weather and day/night cycle add significant atmosphere to the game. Players enjoy the rain, storm, and varied lighting.
- Satisfying economy system (weight 0.1): The economy management is considered acceptable, passable, and well thought out. It adds to the overall gameplay experience.
- Excellent night raids (weight 0.07): The night raids feature is cool and excellent, adding a strategic layer to the game. It is a standout mechanic.
- Interesting new units (weight 0.07): New units like the Rangers are interesting and refreshing, adding variety to combat. Players enjoy the new tactical options.

Common complaints:
- Worse than previous games (weight 0.57): Players consistently compare the game unfavorably to Stronghold 2 and other series entries, citing fewer features, worse graphics, and less depth. This is a recurring theme across many clusters.
- Building placement is buggy (weight 0.43): Buildings, especially walls, are difficult or impossible to place correctly due to terrain restrictions and poor mechanics. This issue is frequently mentioned and affects core castle-building gameplay.
- Missing skirmish mode (weight 0.34): Players cannot find a skirmish mode against AI opponents, a feature present in previous games. Multiple clusters report this omission as a major disappointment.
- Units get stuck permanently (weight 0.31): Units frequently become stuck in walls, buildings, and terrain, preventing movement and breaking gameplay flow. This is one of the most commonly reported bugs across multiple clusters.
- Poor AI performance (weight 0.16): Enemy and friendly AI are both ineffective: enemies barely build, and units often ignore orders or stand still. This makes military missions frustrating and unrealistic.
- Unit movement is slow (weight 0.15): All units move extremely slowly, making gameplay feel sluggish and pacing snail-like. This is a common complaint affecting overall enjoyment.
- Walls offer no advantage (weight 0.14): Archers on walls lose range and are vulnerable, making walls the worst position for defense. This undermines a core strategy element of the series.

Gameplay feedback:
- Castle building and defense (weight 0.25): The core gameplay focuses on building and defending castles, with flexible building placement including rotation and 360-degree angles. It is described as a 3D real-time strategy castle simulator.
- Dynamic weather and day/night (weight 0.23): The dynamic weather system and day/night cycle are frequently mentioned as key features. These systems affect visibility and tactics during gameplay.
- Campaign structure and variety (weight 0.23): The game includes multiple campaigns: war, economic, gathering, Blackstaff story, and historical sieges. Mission types vary to prevent boredom, with objectives like survive until morning or finish before a timer.
- Economy and resource management (weight 0.22): The economy system involves managing food supply, taxes, and peasant mood through a carrot and stick system. Random events affect popularity and recruit speed. Rats and diseases from earlier titles have been removed.
- Multiplayer and maps (weight 0.2): Multiplayer mode is included and allows spectating other players. The game features a map editor available as a separate Steam tool and includes user maps, but lacks custom maps or skirmish mode according to some feedback.
- Building placement and controls (weight 0.19): Building placement is smooth and unrestricted, allowing rotation and free placement without box restrictions. Controls include left click to select, right to move, hot-keying buildings, and intuitive rally points.
- Medieval RTS city builder (weight 0.18): The game is characterized as a medieval castle building simulator and real-time strategy game, blending city-building with RTS combat elements.
- Free build and sandbox modes (weight 0.14): Free build mode allows peaceful construction with flexible building placement and 360-degree rotation. Invasion mode in Sandbox lets players customize enemy armies.
- Siege mechanics and weapons (weight 0.12): Siege mode includes the use of catapults, ballistae, and other weapons, with physics-based destruction of walls. Infantry can also destroy stone walls without siege engines.
- Night raids and stealth (weight 0.11): Night missions feature stealth mechanics, fog of war, and lighting via burning hay bales. Players can silently eliminate enemies during night sieges.
- Building limits and restrictions (weight 0.1): There is a building limit that restricts the size of castles. Building placement restrictions and armories built into walls can block repairs, and castle repair requires a specific hole size.
- New troops and content (weight 0.1): The game includes new troop additions and additional campaigns and content, though some feedback notes a lack of customization for free battle and no kingdom builder mode.
- Technical aspects and difficulty (weight 0.08): The game uses DirectX 9 and is 32-bit. Normal difficulty requires planning and strategy, and the game is generally considered difficult.
- Free mode and events (weight 0.08): Free mode allows building castles and placing ballista towers. Random events like disasters and bandits affect reputation, and low reputation causes protests.
- AI behavior and pathfinding (weight 0.06): AI behavior includes setting up camps and building siege weapons before attacking. Pathfinding and building placement restrictions affect gameplay.
- Fog of war and visibility (weight 0.06): Fog of war mechanic is present and affects tactical decisions, especially during night battles with limited visibility.
- Peasant housing and proximity (weight 0.06): Peasant hut quality and housing capacity depend on proximity to the keep, adding a strategic layer to castle layout.
- Simulation elements removed (weight 0.06): Some simulation elements from earlier titles have been removed, and the game is described by some as a castle building sim turned into a below average medieval RTS.
- Post-campaign experience (weight 0.03): After completing the campaign, the game becomes a Sims-like experience with events and invasions, offering continued engagement.

Performance notes:
- Frequent and severe crashes (weight 0.3): Multiple players report that the game crashes constantly, often making it impossible to start or continue playing. Crashes occur both on launch and during gameplay, affecting even high-end systems.
- Inconsistent stability reports (weight 0.26): While many report constant crashes, a few users mention only occasional crashes or stable performance on specific setups. This suggests the issues are widespread but not universal.
- Poor performance and FPS (weight 0.19): Players experience severe FPS drops, unstable frame rates, and slideshow-like performance, especially in campaigns. The game runs poorly even on hardware that should handle it.
- Bad graphics optimization (weight 0.12): Players complain about poor graphics optimization, low CPU and GPU usage, and high resource consumption despite low graphical output. This indicates the game is not well optimized for modern hardware.
- Crash on save/load (weight 0.07): Loading saved games often causes the game to crash, and there are reports of save game corruption. This makes progress unreliable.
- Optimization improved over older titles (weight 0.06): A few users note that the game is better optimized than Stronghold Warlords, and that some initial bugs were eventually fixed. This provides a contrasting positive perspective.
- More bugs than predecessors (weight 0.04): Some players feel the game has more bugs than earlier Stronghold titles, especially Stronghold 2. This is a concern for long-time fans.
- Long loading times (weight 0.04): The game suffers from long loading times, which can be frustrating for players. This is a consistent complaint across reviews.
- Multiplayer crashes (weight 0.04): Multiplayer sessions are unstable and often crash after about 15 minutes of play. This ruins the online experience.
- Crashes on exit (weight 0.04): The game frequently crashes or shows a bug report window when the player tries to exit. This is a minor but annoying issue.
- Vsync and screen tearing (weight 0.04): High-end graphics card users report Vsync issues that cause screen tearing. This affects visual quality on powerful systems.

Recommendations:
- Stick with older Stronghold games (weight 0.59): Reviewers repeatedly advise playing Stronghold 2, Crusader, or the original Stronghold instead of this title. They consider earlier entries superior in quality and enjoyment.
- Game is not recommended (weight 0.44): A large number of reviewers explicitly state they do not recommend this game for any reason, calling it a waste of money and time. Many urge others to avoid purchasing it entirely.
- Do not buy even at low price (weight 0.39): Several reviewers advise against purchasing the game even if it is deeply discounted, given its poor quality. They suggest spending money on other games or items instead.
- Avoid starting series with this (weight 0.31): Reviewers warn new players not to begin the Stronghold series with this title, as it is not representative of the franchise's quality. They recommend older games instead.
- Buy only on deep discount (weight 0.28): Some reviewers suggest the game may be worth considering only at very deep discounts, such as 80-90% off. They see minimal value in purchasing it at standard pricing.
- Not worth the price (weight 0.26): Reviewers feel the game offers poor value for its cost, even at steep discounts. Many consider it overpriced and advise against paying full price or even a low sale price.
- Game is buggy and incomplete (weight 0.26): Several reviewers mention the game is plagued by bugs, poor optimization, and feels unfinished. They cite broken features like co-op and unresolved issues even after patches.
- Recommended only for series fans (weight 0.21): A few reviewers believe the game might appeal to dedicated fans of the Stronghold series, but only under certain conditions like a low price. They do not recommend it for casual players.
- Recommend Crusader 2 instead (weight 0.14): Some reviewers point to Stronghold Crusader 2 as a more functional 3D alternative within the series. They suggest it over this game for a better experience.
- Game feels like a step backward (weight 0.13): Some reviewers express that this installment adds nothing new and is a regression compared to earlier titles. They describe it as the worst sequel possible.
- Single player content is passable (weight 0.1): A few reviewers find the single-player campaign missions acceptable, especially if bought cheaply. However, they note the lack of skirmish mode hurts replayability.
- Recommend complete bundle on sale (weight 0.09): A reviewer suggests waiting for a sale to buy the complete bundle of Stronghold games. They imply this game alone is not worth it unless bundled.
- Regret purchasing even on sale (weight 0.08): Some reviewers express regret for buying the game even when it was on sale at a low price. They feel it was still not worth the money spent.
- Not recommended at launch price (weight 0.06): Reviewers indicate the game was overpriced at its original release cost. They believe the price was not justified by the content or quality offered.
- Worst sequel in the series (weight 0.06): A reviewer calls this the worst possible sequel and expresses disappointment with Firefly Studios. They hope the developer will reconsider their approach for future titles.
- Co-op mode is broken (weight 0.03): One reviewer specifically mentions that the co-op multiplayer mode is not functional due to poor quality. This adds to the overall negative assessment of the game.

Other player notes:
- Unfavorable comparison to previous titles (weight 0.29): Players consistently compare Stronghold 3 unfavorably to earlier entries like Stronghold 2 and Stronghold Crusader, citing a lack of content and features. This feedback highlights a failure to meet series expectations.
- Comparison to Stronghold 2 superiority (weight 0.21): Many reviews state that Stronghold 2 is far better despite its age, offering more content, better gameplay, and fewer bugs. This comparison highlights Stronghold 3's failure to advance the series.
- Poor value for money (weight 0.16): Players feel the game is not worth its price, with many waiting for deep discounts or purchasing it on sale for nostalgia. The value proposition is undermined by bugs and lack of content.
- Missing skirmish mode (weight 0.14): The absence of a skirmish mode is a frequently mentioned disappointment, especially given its presence in previous Stronghold games. Players expected this core feature and consider its omission a significant flaw.
- Game too short and lacking content (weight 0.14): Players comment that the game is short to complete, with campaigns that can be finished in just a few hours. This perceived lack of depth and replayability is a common criticism.
- Refunds and buyer remorse (weight 0.13): Several reviews mention seeking refunds or expressing regret over pre-ordering or purchasing the game. This indicates a high level of dissatisfaction and perceived waste of money.
- Developer abandoned patching (weight 0.12): Players report that the developer has stopped patching the game, leaving unresolved bugs and technical issues. This abandonment has eroded trust and suggests the game will never reach a fully polished state.
- Negative impact of developer history (weight 0.12): Players reference the developer's troubled history, including bankruptcy and rushed releases, as factors contributing to the game's poor state. This background explains many of the game's shortcomings.
- Game is a step backwards (weight 0.12): Reviews argue that the game represents a regression from earlier titles in the series, offering simplified mechanics and fewer features. This backward step is seen as a betrayal of the franchise's legacy.
- DLC and patches not effective (weight 0.11): Reviews indicate that DLC content does not work properly and that even extensive patching has not resolved core problems. This suggests ongoing quality control and support issues.
- Technical and compatibility issues (weight 0.11): Players report technical problems such as 4K UI scaling issues, lack of support for Windows 11, and antivirus interference. These issues make the game difficult to run on modern systems.
- Price concerns and regional pricing (weight 0.1): Feedback includes comments on pricing, with some players noting regional pricing inconsistencies and others stating the game is worth very little. This adds to the negative value perception.
- Promised features cut (weight 0.1): Several reviews note that features promised before release were either cut or not implemented, leading to disappointment. This includes specific mechanics like the Kingmaker mode being abandoned due to AI issues.
- Multiplayer is non-functional or dead (weight 0.09): Reports indicate that multiplayer servers are poor, require restrictive limits to work, or are simply dead. This severely impacts the game's longevity and community features.
- Gold Edition still has issues (weight 0.08): Even the Gold Edition, which includes updates and DLC, is reported to still have problems like a non-functional map editor. This suggests that the core issues were never fully addressed.
- Building limits and map restrictions (weight 0.06): Reviews mention strict building limits and a limited number of maps in free build mode, which restricts creative freedom. This is a source of frustration for sandbox-oriented players.
- Misleading screenshots and store page (weight 0.06): Some players claim that screenshots do not represent the actual game, and that customer deception has increased in the series. This damages trust and leads to false expectations.
- Accessibility and missing features (weight 0.03): A review mentions that while the game is playable with auditory disabilities, it lacks some colorblind options and other UI settings. This indicates gaps in accessibility features.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.32): Players are frustrated by numerous game-breaking bugs, including crashes, save corruption, and units getting stuck. The broken pathfinding, poor AI, and unintuitive wall-building system compound the issues. Additionally, missing core features like skirmish mode and bot support make the game feel incomplete and unplayable.
- Disappointment (weight 0.31): Long-time fans are deeply disappointed by the removal of beloved features like skirmish mode, map editor, and complex economy systems from previous titles. The game feels unfinished, with a short campaign, poor graphics, and numerous bugs that remain unpatched. Many feel the sequel fails to capture the essence of the original Stronghold games and is a step backward in almost every aspect.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.05): Players find satisfaction in the improved graphics, dynamic weather effects, and atmospheric sound design. The economy and building systems, though simplified, provide an engaging and calming experience. Despite early bugs, the game runs well on modern hardware and offers challenging but fair difficulty, making it enjoyable especially at a discounted price.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.05): Enjoyment comes from the authentic castle-building mechanics, improved destruction physics, and atmospheric weather effects. The single-player campaigns are well-made and offer engaging storylines with memorable missions. Despite technical flaws, the combination of town building and RTS gameplay provides a unique appeal that fans find entertaining.
- Anger (weight 0.04): Players express anger at feeling cheated by broken promises, as the game launched without key features like skirmish mode and functional multiplayer. The frequent crashes, save corruption, and poor unit AI make the game nearly unplayable. Many consider it a scam and a disgrace to the legendary franchise, with developers knowingly releasing an unfinished product.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.02): Nostalgia is driven by fond memories of playing earlier Stronghold titles, particularly the classic soundtracks and atmosphere. Revisiting characters from Stronghold 1 and recalling animations like the noble feast from Stronghold 2 evoke positive feelings. However, these memories are often ruined by the game's bugs and compatibility issues.
- Boredom (weight 0.02): Boredom stems from repetitive missions that feel like waiting marathons with tedious tasks like collecting apples and shearing sheep. The lack of engaging gameplay and slow pacing make the game feel unengaging. Players find the overall experience boring and lacking in variety or excitement.
- Disgust (weight 0.02): Players are disgusted by the poor quality of the game, calling it a 'pile of goat puke' and criticizing DLC greed. The graphics, sound, and cutscenes are considered low quality. There is also anger over the treatment of foreign markets, particularly Chinese buyers, and the game being a step back from Stronghold 2.
- Annoyance (weight 0.01): Annoyance arises from interface issues like the UI being too small at 4K resolution, forcing players to reduce graphics quality. Inability to place buildings properly and poor unit AI, including units glitching into T-pose, disrupt gameplay. Random events like peasant uprisings despite high happiness feel arbitrary and frustrating.
- Confusion (weight 0.01): Confusion is caused by the company abandoning the game early despite potential for DLC, leaving players wondering about the lack of support. Additionally, technical issues such as antivirus detection preventing the game from launching create confusion about how to play. These factors contribute to a sense of bewilderment about the game's state.
- Excitement (weight 0.01): Excitement is sparked by creative dark missions, such as those involving burning hay bales. The trebuchet's ability to launch animals and plague clouds adds a chaotic fun element. The expanded entertainment and punishment system compared to previous games also generates positive anticipation.
- Hope (weight 0.01): Hope persists that developers will release a remaster of Stronghold 2 or a new Stronghold 4. Some players hope for a Steam Edition fix similar to what was done for Stronghold 2. There is also optimism that Firefly Studios will return to finish and improve the game.
- Shock (weight 0.01): Players are shocked by how bad the game is compared to their expectations, especially as fans of Stronghold 2. The poor design and execution feel like a betrayal of the series' legacy. Many express disbelief that such a low-quality product was released under the Stronghold name.
- Betrayal (weight 0.01): Betrayal is felt because the game was marketed as an improvement but delivered a broken product. The removal of castle building from a castle-building simulation feels like a fundamental deception. Long-time fans feel cheated after trusting the series, which damaged their loyalty.
- Sadness (weight 0.01): Sadness arises from seeing a beloved series release an unfinished product with texture glitches and stuck units. Despite some good aspects, the raw state of the game is disheartening. Reviewers express sorrow that the game makes them want to cry.
- Love (weight 0.01): Love for the game comes from being a dedicated fan of the series and enjoying the story. The emotional connection to the Stronghold franchise overrides some technical shortcomings. Players appreciate the familiar narrative elements that continue the series' tradition.
- Slight disappointment (weight 0.01): Slight disappointment stems from the game having less content compared to other entries in the series. While not a major flaw, the reduced scope leaves players wanting more. The feeling is mild but noticeable when measured against the richness of previous titles.
- Admiration (weight 0.01): Admiration is given for the game's amazing graphics and well-done story line. The visual presentation and narrative quality stand out despite other issues. Players appreciate these aspects as highlights of the game.
- Gratitude (weight 0.01): Gratitude is expressed for the interesting experience provided by the developers. Even with flaws, players acknowledge the effort and unique elements. This positive sentiment tempers overall criticism.
- Relief (weight 0.01): Relief comes from the game improving significantly after patches and fixes. Players who experienced early bugs are glad the game became more stable. This positive change restores some faith in the product.}