Castles II: Siege & Conquest

Castles II: Siege and Conquest is a strategy game designed and developed by Quicksilver Software for the Macintosh, Amiga, and DOS. The game was released for MS-DOS and later ported to platforms such as Amiga CD32, FM Towns, NEC PC-9801, and Macintosh.

The development team included Vincent DeNardo, William C. Fisher, and Byon Garrabrant, who were responsible for game design. Byon Garrabrant also served as the lead programmer. Interplay, known for titles like Wasteland and Battle Chess, supported the publication and distribution. Brian Fargo in fact was the executive producer.

In Castles II: Siege & Conquest, players assume the role of one of five noble families competing for control over the fictional land of Bretagne. The game combines elements of real-time and turn-based strategy, requiring players to manage resources, build castles, conduct diplomacy, and engage in warfare. A unique aspect of the game is the political system, where players must gain favor with the Pope and maintain public support to claim the throne. The game also features narrative events that influence gameplay, adding depth to the strategic experience.

The MS-DOS version offered 256-color VGA graphics and, in the CD-ROM edition, included full voiceovers and video cutscenes. The Amiga CD32 version, while graphically competent, was limited to 32-color modes and lacked full voice acting. Despite these differences, both versions maintained the core gameplay experience.

Castles II: Siege & Conquest is notable for its integration of political strategy with traditional warfare mechanics. Its emphasis on diplomacy and narrative choices influenced later strategy games, such as the Total War series and Crusader Kings, which expanded upon these concepts. While not a commercial blockbuster, Castles II is remembered for its ambitious design and contribution to the evolution of strategy gaming.