Few strategy experiences are as satisfying as a castle builder, perfectly placing both your walls and town to create a thriving medieval society — one that can withstand any siege anyone throws at it. Castle builders are a hyper-specific sub-genre of strategy that has continued to thrive for decades, even while other strategy games faltered and failed. No franchise has been more influential for castle builders than Stronghold, and now a fan-favorite entry is finally getting a second shot at life. Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition brings back the classic strategy game with not just a fresh coat of paint, but a wealth of additions that make it practically feel like a new game.
Stronghold Crusader was originally released on PC in 2002, as a sequel to the very first Stronghold. While the general structure and gameplay of Crusader were the same, the sequel transported players from medieval England to the Middle East and the sandy battlefields of the Crusades. It’s a perfect setting for a castle builder and one that we don’t often see explored very often. Of course, keep in mind that while Crusader is based on history, it’s more of an irreverent take on it than something striving for true historical accuracy, just like the first Stronghold. You’ll be fighting alongside the likes of Saladin and Richard the Lionheart, while playing major battles like the siege of Jerusalem.
