Firefly Studios have revealed Stronghold: Warlords, a return to tradition sim / RTS mechanics for the series.

The new follow-up is coming to Windows PC sometime next year.

Featured above, you can view the extended reveal trailer for the game, which features a bold new “Warlords” system, introducing new 4X-like mechanics into the game.

In total, there are seemingly four different Asian cultures to play from: ancient China, feudal Japan, the Mongols, and a reunited Vietnam.

“We’re adding a touch of grand strategy to Stronghold,” said Simon Bradbury, Lead Designer at Firefly Studios and creator of the Stronghold series. “It’s a deceptively simple yet powerful change, perhaps the biggest we’ve made to the series since the original Stronghold Crusader. Warlords takes core Stronghold and effortlessly layers a new mechanic on top.”

For the first time in series history, you’ll be able to recruit, upgrade, and command AI warlords across the battlefield with their own individual perks and characteristics. Each warlord has their own quirks, and can boost your options on the battlefield.

Here’s the first screenshots:

We’ll be getting some hands-on time with the game at this year’s E3, so stay tuned for our first preview. For now, you can visit the games official website here.