Video games where players set out on a journey often come across strongholds or fortresses. These towering structures either serve as bastions that shelter common folk or where adventurers can restock rations and upgrade their inventory and armaments to further push through their quests. Sometimes, they serve as imposing threats that players need to overcome by taking down their protectors and other denizens.
There are several iconic strongholds in video games that players remember fondly or notoriously as they slash and shoot their way toward whatever goal they are pursuing. These are just a few of the amazing strongholds in games.
10 Kaer Morhen: The Witcher
The birthplace of Witchers, Kaer Morhen is one of the famous strongholds in the Witcher games and books and serves as the headquarters of the Witchers. Many stories across the Witcher lore recount how Witchers are made from within the walls of this bastion by way of training: the School of the Wolf, where Geralt was a part of, used to call its halls home.
In The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, players got to explore the keep and experience what it was like for would-be Witchers who were to face the Trials. They even got to train Ciri using the old training apparatuses to help her hone her skills.
9 Stormveil Castle: Elden Ring
One of the first boss areas in Elden Ring, Stormveil Castle is a good litmus test for the intrepid Tarnished who want to test their mettle against Godrick the Grafted, one of the first shardbearers that can be encountered and taken out.
Stormveil Castle is a veritable fortress. It is littered with soldiers and areas that have been garrisoned to thwart any foolhardy Tarnished from breaking through. Margit, the Fell Omen, also lurks within its walls and serves as the game’s first mini-boss that will skill-check players.
8 Dr. Wily’s Castle: Mega Man
Also known as Wily Fortress, Skull Castle, Wily Stages, and Wily Tower, Dr. Wily’s Castle is an iconic villain stronghold in the Mega Man games. Essentially a mad scientist’s laboratory, Dr. Wily’s Castle houses the mad doctor’s various robotic minions and other mechanized troops that are programmed to do the bidding of their megalomaniacal creator.
In most games, Dr. Wily’s Castle is the battleground for Mega Man to confront and defeat the Robot Masters again for a rematch. Beating them again culminates with a battle against Dr. Wily, who is often piloting one of his hulking contraptions for a final showdown.
7 The Phalanx: Warhammer 40k
The Warhammer 40k games have produced a myriad of awe-inspiring battle-ready machinery that can lay waste to armies, depending on which factions are fighting. The Imperial Fists Space Marine Chapter in the Battlefleet Gothic Armada 2 game introduced the Phalanx: a gargantuan mobile space fortress that is said to be the largest starship ever built by man.
Being the size of a small moon, the Phalanx houses the Imperial Fists’ Strike Cruisers, Thunderhawk Gunships, and other imperial shuttles that can be deployed at any time to crush any rebellion foolish enough to stand against the will of the Emperor. Once rebels see this floating mace head in space, blocking out the rays of other stars, they know they are in deep trouble.
6 The Tower: Destiny
The Tower in the Destiny games is the headquarters of the Vanguards. It is located in the middle of the walls of the Last City. In Destiny 2, The Tower is its second iteration, following the events of the first game where the first Tower was destroyed.
After its construction, The Tower in Destiny 2 continues to serve as the Guardians’ base of operations. In The Tower, Guardians can speak with vendors, upgrade their equipment, get missions from the Vanguards, and collect rewards to further improve their current armaments.
5 Shadow Moses: Metal Gear Solid
Metal Gear Solid paved the way for modern stealth games thanks in large part to the tension-filled gameplay it provided players as Solid Snake as they were infiltrating Shadow Moses Island, the weapons development complex that housed Metal Gear Rex.
Shadow Moses Island is iconic for its various areas that Solid Snake had to sneak into. From the snow-covered first area where Genome Soldiers patrol, the searchlights that will alert the entire base if they spot Snake, to the sections of the base that served as areas for memorable boss fights against the likes of Sniper Wolf, Vulcan Raven, and Revolver Ocelot, this military base captured what it was like for a special ops agent who had the odds stacked against him.
4 Orgrimmar & Stormwind Keep: World Of Warcraft
When talking about iconic strongholds, World of Warcraft’s Orgrimmar and Stormwind Keep need to be included. As far as the two factions are concerned, the Horde and Alliance stand above all, since the Orcs and Humans have had a long-standing conflict since the first Warcraft game.
Orgrimmar is the capital city of the Orcs and the Horde, while Stormwind Keep is the capital city of the Alliance. Essentially a hub for Horde and Alliance players, they can go to their respective capital cities right off the bat. Once there, both cities have areas that assist players to improve their weapons and armor, commerce areas for their inventory or selling their loot, as well as mission hubs.
3 Bowser’s Castle: Super Mario
Also known as Bowser Castle, this stronghold is Bowser’s base of operations. It has many iterations throughout the multitude of Super Mario games, but in most cases, Bowser’s Castle serves the same purpose: it is the final stage for Mario to conquer and is often located in a dangerous area like within a volcanic area surrounded by lava.
Bowser’s Castle is the place where Bowser summons his Koopa Troopas and dispatches them across various areas within the Mushroom Kingdom. Once Mario gains access to Bowser’s Castle, he is faced with a plethora of traps and minions. Getting through them results in the final encounter against Bowser himself.
2 Hyrule Castle: The Legend Of Zelda
Hyrule Castle is where the ruler of Hyrule resides in the Legend of Zelda franchise. The eponymous castle has seen tons of iterations since its first appearance in The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. In most games, Hyrule Castle is always besieged by Ganon’s forces, and it is up to Link to hack and slash his way to rescue Zelda and the Kingdom of Hyrule from Ganon’s clutches.
During the final clash between Link and Ganon, once Link has vanquished Ganon, in most games, all the destruction Ganon has caused would be reversed, and the Hyrule Kingdom, including the Hyrule Castle, is restored to its former glory.
1 Dracula’s Castle: Castlevania
Dracula’s Castle from the Castlevania games is one of the most iconic villain strongholds in the medium. Its visage is recognizable for most gamers: the jagged and seemingly floating towers, the thin bridges connecting to the main hall, and the gothic architecture screams “evil villain lair” that symbolizes Dracula's dominance and power.
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night allowed players to experience and explore Dracula’s Castle in all its gothic glory. From seemingly endless dungeons, hallways, and chambers filled with monsters, to the throne room of Dracula himself where he sits patiently while sipping his blood-filled wine glass, the foreboding and claustrophobic keep made for a dangerous yet exciting place for vampire hunters to engage in.