The inclusion of fully 3D-rendered graphics allowed Stronghold 2 to include tower interiors as battlegrounds for units, and the ability to go observe castle inhabitants very closely, which is useful for the new features of waste and rat management. Estates are semi-independent villages (without castle fortifications) that produce their own goods that owners can send via cart to their castle or allies. One addition to the original Stronghold is the inclusion of estates that players can 'buy' with their accumulated honor (gained by popularity, holding feasts, dances, jousting, etc.). Military units are directly controlled individually or in groups, sometimes quite large with sieges or battles involving many hundreds on each side. Available peasants automatically choose jobs whenever a building requires one, so player micromanagement is minimal players mostly set up the various buildings in an efficient way while providing safety for their peasants. With their available resources, players place buildings or features, including many different kinds of food production, industry, civil, or military buildings and defences. In the game, players take on the role of a lord who rules over a medieval castle.
