Introduction
Stronghold Crusader is a real-time strategy game developed by Firefly Studios and released in 2002. The game was later re-released in 2012 as Stronghold Crusader HD with updated graphics and improved gameplay. Stronghold Crusader HD is set in the Middle East during the Crusades and puts the player in control of a medieval army that must defend their castle and conquer enemy territories.
Game Modes
The game begins with a tutorial that teaches players the basics of the game, including how to construct buildings, gather resources, and recruit soldiers. Once the tutorial is complete, a single player can choose to play either the Crusader which includes Trails and Custom Games or Historical Campaigns.
The Trails
Stronghold Crusader HD features several trails, which are essentially campaign modes that offer unique scenarios, challenges, and gameplay mechanics. The “First Edition Trail” and The “Warchest Trails” which offer players a wealth of content to explore, with a variety of unique scenarios, objectives, and gameplay mechanics. Whether playing through the original First Edition Trail or the Warchest Trails players will find plenty of challenges and strategic gameplay to keep them engaged for hours on end.
Crusader “First Edition” Trail
The “First Edition Trail” is a campaign mode consisting of 50 missions, each with unique objectives and challenges, and takes the player through a variety of different scenarios, from defending their castle against enemy attacks to launching surprise attacks on enemy strongholds. The “First Edition Trail” is a challenging and engaging mode that is designed to test the player’s strategic skills and is a great way to experience the game’s deep and complex gameplay mechanics.
Crusader “Warchest” Trail
The Warchest Trails is an additional campaign mode in Stronghold Crusader HD. It consists of 30 linked missions, which introduces new kings to fight against as well as new units and gameplay mechanics, further expanding the game’s depth and complexity. Overall, the Warchest Trails is a fantastic addition to Stronghold Crusader HD and offer even more hours of engaging and immersive gameplay for fans of the series.
Historical Campaigns
The “Historical Campaigns” are 4 campaigns, the first campaign, called “The Crusader States,” takes place in the Holy Land during the 11th century, and the second campaign, called “Saladin,” follows the life of the famous Muslim leader during the Crusades. The third campaign is called “The Crusader States” where players take on the role of Baldwin IV, the King of Jerusalem, during the 12th century. Last but not least is the “Saladin” campaign, players take on the role of Saladin, the Muslim leader who defeated the Crusader army at the Battle of Hattin. The Historical Campaigns are based on real historical events and offer players a chance to experience the Crusades from different perspectives.
What's impressive about the game
One of the most impressive aspects of Stronghold Crusader HD is the attention to detail in the game’s graphics and sound design. The game’s environments are incredibly detailed and include everything from bustling marketplaces to desolate desert landscapes. The sound effects are also top-notch, with the clanging of swords, the crackle of fire, and the shouts of soldiers all adding to the game’s immersive atmosphere.
Another standout feature of Stronghold Crusader HD is the game’s deep and complex gameplay mechanics. The game requires players to balance the needs of their castle with the demands of their army. Players must construct buildings to gather resources such as food, wood, and stone, recruit soldiers to defend their castle, and manage their economy to keep their army well-fed and equipped.
One of the most challenging aspects of the game is managing the morale of your soldiers. Soldiers who are hungry, tired, or injured will not fight as effectively as soldiers who are well-fed and rested. This adds an extra layer of strategy to the game, as players must manage their resources carefully to keep their soldiers in good spirits.
The flaws in the game
The game is not without its flaws. One of the most significant issues with the game is its AI, which can be frustratingly predictable at times. Enemy soldiers often follow the same patterns of behavior, which can make battles feel repetitive and dull.
Another issue with the game is its steep learning curve. While the tutorial does an excellent job of teaching players the basics of the game, it can still be challenging for newcomers to grasp the game’s more advanced mechanics. This can be particularly frustrating in the later stages of the game, where the difficulty ramps up significantly.
Despite these flaws, Stronghold Crusader HD is an excellent game that is well worth playing. The game’s deep and complex gameplay, immersive atmosphere, and attention to historical detail make it one of the best strategy games of its time. Whether you are a fan of medieval history or just love a good real-time strategy game, Stronghold Crusader HD is definitely worth checking out.
Final Verdict
Stronghold Crusader HD is a game for anyone who loves real-time strategy games. The game’s deep and complex gameplay, immersive atmosphere, and attention to historical detail make it one of the best strategy games I have played. I’ve completed the game wherein missions took hours to get over. I have even spent a week on the last mission of the “Warchest” trail which took a lot of time and strategizing.
Overall, Stronghold Crusader HD is a fantastic real-time strategy game that offers attention to detail and commitment to historical accuracy making it a must-play for fans of medieval history and strategy games.
Brandon has been gaming since he was a kid, his most played games are CS:GO, DOTA 2 and WoW.