Stronghold Crusader 2 – The Templar and the Duke DLC Review

“The quality shows, the game grows, and The Templar and The Duke are very worthy foes.”

Stronghold games have by no means ever been sold as easy strategy titles, and the newest DLC for Stronghold Crusader 2 is no exception to that long-standing rule. The Templar and The Duke once again adds two newly styled lords to the game, along with another new skirmish trail to follow, unique castle models and more shields and achievements to enjoy. The game already has a knack for giving players what they want in its DLC packs, as well as showing off the game’s latest improvements through each one. It is good to see that this new release then is no exception.

Personally, I found The Templar and The Duke DLC to be the most challenging so far in terms of the new missions it brought with it. This time around, you are faced with two relentless Templars who are each trying to make their mark in different ways and for different purposes. The Templar character then is a recognised hero of the Crusades who has risen through the ranks with a reputation for brutality, and it comes across in his fighting style in game too. The Templar never seemed to leave me alone from shortly after the word go, keeping me consciously on my toes throughout out battle.

The Duke on the other hand, who starts out the skirmish as an ally, is more accustomed to the politics of war than the bloodied battlegrounds upon which it takes place. An heir to the throne of France, The Duke feels that they must prove themselves worthy and earn the respect that is carried by those leaders who have tasted the blood and sweat of battle. As less of a hardened fighter then, I found The Duke to be a competent ally but one whom I could not rely on for protection. The character appeared to launch several well thought out attacks on our enemies, but never seemed overly formidable in their presence upon the field.

This DLC package offers hours of extra gameplay to fans of Stronghold Crusader 2, and feels like it is the ideal package for those who feel they can overcome any obstacle that the game can throw at them. The Templar and The Duke may well change their mind, or if not it will at the very least challenge them to prove it. Perhaps not so well suited to the more novice players of the game however, this DLC is hard, and there should be no illusion about this.

As I said at the beginning of my review, Stronghold games have never claimed to be easy, and this DLC certainly embodies their traditional challenge plus perhaps a little extra on top too. I certainly found myself struggling in the fight against The Templar, and I believe many others will too. Despite that, it’s yet another example of a DLC package which is well worth its price tag from the developers at FireFly Studios, and for that it ought to be commended. This is not a studio who is looking to con anyone out of money, and is one which puts time and effort into every piece of additional content it puts out. The quality shows, the game grows, and The Templar and The Duke are very worthy foes.

The Good:

• Two more unique characters once again add to and mix up the challenge offered by the game.
• A more challenging DLC package than we have seen before that will test even the most competent Stronghold players.
• Hours of extra content are on offer – far more than what you might get for your money with other titles.
• Plenty of token extras are included that will add to the libraries of fans and give them a smile.

The Bad:

• The DLC may not be suited to everyone, given its higher level of difficulty by comparison to the game as a whole.

Disclaimer:All scores given within our reviews are based on the artist’s personal opinion; this should in no way impede your decision to purchase the game.