“A leap back in time both to the crusades and to 2002.
An awesome remaster both graphically and with the new additions to the game, definitely will be sinking my hours into this!”
Bottled Tastes Steam Curator
I’m giving Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition a 5/5!
It’s back! While Firefly games celebrates it’s 25 years in strategy gaming with this remaster, we got to try it out; Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition.
Note that I did get a review key provided for the game.
With that said, I wouldn’t have thought back in the days as a kid while playing Stronghold, I would be doing a review on one of the game’s remasters! I was very overjoyed with this opportunity, but when jumping into the game I was hit with a shield charge as I completely forgot that I am (and wasn’t) the best strategy gamer. That doesn’t take away from the fun however. I was able to try out multiple game modes and rejog my memory with the tutorial. After some defeats, I managed to find the sweet spot of tax maxxing my peasants, giving them no rations and making them happy with religion and ale. Happier times.
My Playstyle
With my first impressions out of the way, I’ll write a bit more about my playstyle, the modes you can play, but also new stuff that has been added including the roadmap for even more new things to be added.
Whenever I play strategy games, or actually any game style, I try to do as much ranged or stealth. My templars where few, but my archers where many. I focused on bows, towers, ballista and a couple of guards for my gate house. This seemed to work as the higher defense allowed me to keep my peasents safe and working, which was of uttermost importance.
I’ve tried to play the demo of the game before during Next Fest with a different playstyle and can say that I was met with impending doom and defeat from my enemies, something we can’t have. But it makes the game a lot of fun, anyone from a starter strategist to someone who has been playing the games for the last 25 years can find their fun in the main campaign and trails, the multiplayer and if that isn’t enough there is always custom maps and scenarios to make.
All Game Modes
You’ll be able to enjoy this game for a long time with all of the Skirmish trails & historical campaigns available. And even when you finish those you can take on other lords and scribes online, or make your own maps and try the maps from others with the map editor and Steam Workshop.
There are three classic trails, including a co-op trail even and the 4th is a custom skirmish you can set up. Adding co-op to the game is a whole other level to it, where you’ll be able to play with your friends alongside each other instead of against each other.
There are 6 Historical Campaigns, where I preferred to play the Crusader, but this is entirely up to you how you want to play them, you can play these alongside each other or follow the order.
And of course the map editor brings in so many endless possibilities to tweak yourself or play maps from others.
Roadmap
- Both DLC and Free updates,
- DLC including new AI lords and Sand of Time Trails,
- More new stuff like map packs,
- Tons of customization for lords and trails,
- HUGE ARMIES, yes you read that right, up to 10K units!
Overall, the game is a great nostalgia trip in a new made armor that will have you spend hours replaying the historical crusades, I’ve really enjoyed my current time with it and will continue to play more and try out the free updates and DLC as they release.
If you want to get the full Stronghold franchise for cheap, visit our Fanatical link here: www.fanatical.com/en/search?search=stronghold/?ref=redduelist
And get the Definitive Version for Stronghold Crusader here: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3024040/Stronghold_Crusader_Definitive_Edition/
