This game was one of FireFly Studios’ first games to introduce me to the concept of strategy, RTS games. Without Stronghold: Crusader and Rome: Total War, I would not be as into the Civilization or Europa Universalis games as I am today. With this new take, Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition expands on the original game. FireFly Studios streamlines the classic 2002 strategy RTS game in Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition.
Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition features eight new playable units, four fresh AI lords to face off against, and several additional campaigns. Play alone in two new historical campaigns and four Sands of Time skirmish trails or team up with a friend in the all-new co-op trail. Back in my day, co-op wasn’t a thing yet for this game! Players can also go head-to-head with eight-player online multiplayer, competing to see who is the best strategist.
Players can also dive into skirmish mode with the addition of player-requested features, including larger map sizes, custom options, and quality of life improvements. Complete with never-before-seen characters, soldiers, strongholds, campaigns, and more, this definitive edition is designed to test your mettle while offering new graphics, upgraded from their original pre-rendered isometric glory.
Whether players are flexing their might against 20 challenging AI lords, charging through the new co-op trail with a friend, or simply marvelling at the player’s majestic desert citadel, Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition allows veterans and newcomers alike to revisit a real-time strategy classic and play exactly the way they wish to.
For the less-acquainted, Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition revolves around the battles between Richard the Lionheart, King of England, and Sultan Saladin, the spearhead of the Islamic domain and founder of the Ayyubid dynasty. Players take control of these two leaders and their respective warriors, attacking and defending.
One of the most nostalgic aspects I immediately noticed was the game music. Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition features a fully remastered soundtrack, made possible by the legendary Stronghold series composer Robert L. Euvino. Loading into the game, the main title screen invites that nostalgia back in.
From the moment I went through the tutorial, I felt the changes they made—and for the better. Stronghold: Crusader has undergone multiple remakes and remasters, with Stronghold: Crusader HD released in 2012 and Stronghold: Crusader Extreme in 2008. Between 2002 and now, I have seen the improvements. Before, the camera was fixed; now, they have implemented a proper rotating camera. Also, the teardown view is so helpful to see through structures that could be obstructing the view in the foreground.
“Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition allows veterans and newcomers alike to revisit a real-time strategy classic and play exactly the way they wish to. “
One of the main additions to the gameplay in Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition is the new playable units: the Bedouin warriors. The Bedouin units are a great addition to the game, as they offset the costs of Arab mercenaries and the resources to create Crusader units. The added units were always used by CPU lords, but it is awesome to be able to use them as a player now. Utilizing the Healers from the Bedouin camp is a must!
Alongside the Bedouin warriors, there were two new historical campaigns: The Barons’ Crusade and the Seventh Crusade. Both historical campaigns teach players how to wage war against Bedouin armies and use the eight new Bedouin troops, along with four new CPU characters. These campaigns were tough, but really show off the best strategies to deploy with the Bedouin warriors.
After I tested out the new historical campaigns and units, I found Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition to be the complete package. In a certain way, the original game pushed that there were only two sides to the Crusades, but this new version denied that static view. The original 2002 version also suggested that the Crusader units were the strongest, but now they are situationally advantageous to use and disadvantageous to use in other scenarios.
Ultimately, Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition found a resonant balance between its units. The Arab mercenaries maintained their relevance in a pinch; the Crusader units were still strong like the first edition; and the Bedouin warriors provided that much-needed edge to defend or attack with a third option between the previous two main unit types.
FireFly Studios brought its most robust edition to the 2.5D RTS game, offering an accessible title for new and experienced strategy gamers. The game studio already announced the Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition roadmap, making the Scribe lord playable at launch. The free Autumn Update will feature a series-first economic campaign as well as a new CPU-controlled commander, along with new missions. A winter update was also announced, providing players with hours of extra content to come.
