The game’s longevity is also tied to the modding community and the "skirmish" mode against AI opponents. The distinct personalities of the AI lords—such as the Wolf, the Rat, and Saladin—remain engaging. In the HD era, YouTube and streaming platforms helped sustain the game, as the visual spectacle of "Extreme" battles made for compelling content, driving sales of the HD version long after traditional marketing had ceased.

You're referring to Stronghold: Extreme HD, a real-time strategy game developed by Firemonkeys Studios and published by THQ. The game was released in 2011 and is part of the Stronghold series.

The critical reception of the 2008 original was hampered by technical issues, including low-resolution assets that looked dated even at the time, and performance drops during massive battles. Stronghold Extreme HD addressed these issues through three key avenues:

The game also features various enemies, including:

The re-release allowed for a re-evaluation of the game’s intent. The original 2008 reviews often penalized the game for not being a full sequel. However, in the context of the HD release, players began to view it as an expansion pack that pushes the engine to its limits.