Exactly 25 years after the inception of the Stronghold ‘castle sim’ series, the long-awaited next mainline entry, Stronghold 4, charges onto Steam Early Access in 2026 with unique castle simulation gameplay and a new prequel story campaign, all vividly rendered in Unreal Engine 5.
Set well before the events of the original Stronghold and headlined by Ben Starr and Samantha Beart, follow the tale of Penryn as his simple shepherd’s life is upended and he is forced on a journey full of death and daring.
The Early Access launch will feature a 22-mission story campaign, full Skirmish Trail, Free Build and Custom Skirmish with 8 CPU opponents. Online multiplayer, an economic campaign and a co-op trail are coming later on.
This latest title sees the Stronghold series take the technical leap to Unreal Engine 5, expanding the possibilities for the simulation of castle life, realism and atmosphere to unprecedented levels. Reclaiming the series’ roots of medieval England, the game has been designed so players will feel the impact of a living medieval world on their castle economy and siegecraft, as they battle against hostile outlaws, rival lords and the very elements themselves.
“Back in 2001, we were up against GTA 3 and yet I’m told we somehow still managed to sell more PC copies in Germany,” said Nick Tannahill, Studio Head at Firefly Studios and Stronghold series veteran of 15 years. “Now with GTA 6 and Stronghold 4 both coming out in 2026, it’s almost like the rematch of the century!”
Immerse yourself in the cutting-edge visuals and gritty reality of medieval life, from snow hindering crop growth and heavy rain reducing archery range, to deadly castle traps and constructions. Destruction and danger may come from within or without, so prepare and adapt as best as possible!
Seek out Penryn destiny alongside a cast of new and returning characters, as you manifest this humble peasant’s potential and lead his forces in search of glory and knighthood. Starring inspired performances by Ben Starr, Samantha Beart, Walles Hamonde and Harry McEntire.
Combining classic RTS and city-building gameplay with crisp visuals and contemporary quality of life additions, Stronghold 4 aims to capture the spirit of classic strategy games together with the modern features and options that players expect.
This includes enhanced medieval war mechanics, elaborate economic management, new in-game events, influential weather shifts and more. All this playing out across larger-than-ever maps, with the bloody sieges and grand warfare of Stronghold feeling more epic than ever before.
