While Stronghold 2 does offer fun multiplayer, it is dragged down by tedious mechanics and terrible graphics.
First of all, the gameplay is good until the time comes to manage gong, rats, and other tedious chores. The simulation and the combat blend very well until you go off to fight a battle and your popularity falls to the point where your workers leave the castle and there is no one left to help your economy. On the plus side the focus on simulation leads to interesting economic missions and the kingmaker game mode. Castle building mechanics work well and have many customization options. Tactical gameplay is greatly influenced by castle shape and size. The combat is nice and fluent though. Different units have different strengths and weaknesses, and defensive options are great fun. The graphics are also very awful, unless you play without widescreen.
The campaign is utterly horrendous, the story telling elements are destroyed by bad voice acting and some of the worst animations ever displayed in a game. The early missions are a little slow but easy, the midway missions are quite fun, and the later missions offer frustrations by plunging you into the game with too many chores to do.
The multiplayer features a lobby system and doesn't require firewall hoops to jump through like previous games. The multiplayer offers options to start with less and less chores to do at the start of the game. Chores like removing gong and also new buildings and soldiers are unlocked by obtaining in-game ranks. Sometimes, chores can lead to rewards such as extra honor.
Gameplay: 7.5
Story: 3
Sound: 9
Multiplayer: 8.5
Graphics: 4
+ .3 VERY fun with friends
+ .5 Game modes are fun
- .2 a few remaining bugs
Overall: 7