Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition brings back the age of the Crusades in a new remaster of the popular real-time strategy and castle simulation game. Read our review to see what it did well, what it didn't do well, and if it's worth buying.
Stronghold Crusader Definitive Edition Review Overview
What is Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition?
Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition is an expanded remaster of the cult-classic real-time strategy game. The game introduces 8 new playable units, 4 new AI lords to battle against, and 2 new campaigns. It also includes player-requested features, such as larger map sizes, custom options, visual upgrades, and quality-of-life improvements. Additionally, the game adds new Skirmish Trails as well, where the Co-op Trail can be played with a friend.
Stronghold Crusader Definitive Edition features:
⚫︎ Visual Upgrades and Quality of Life Changes
⚫︎ 2 New Campaigns
⚫︎ 4 New AI Lords
⚫︎ 8 New Playable Units
⚫︎ Additional Skirmish Trails with New Co-op Trail
| Digital Storefronts | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Steam |
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| $19.99 | |||||
Stronghold Crusader Definitive Edition Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
 Tons of Additional Content Modern Control Scheme Quality of Life Upgrades |
Multiplayer Has Issues |
Stronghold Crusader Definitive Edition Overall - 84/100
Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition was already a great game back in ‘02, and somehow ends up even better in this remaster. FireFly Studios has outdone itself by not only upgrading the game’s visuals and adding quality-of-life improvements across the board, but also adding tons of additional content. If they can somehow improve on the multiplayer aspect, which is currently facing some issues as of writing, then this remaster is truly one of the better ones that’s ever come out.
Stronghold Crusader Definitive Edition Story - 8/10
The story or campaign focuses on historical events that transpired during the Crusades. The remaster adds 2 new campaigns that add further context to the diversity of the Crusades, where the Bedouin are now included in both. While the events and characters aren’t exactly accurate to the actual events that transpired, it does effectively teach the player both the history and the gameplay aspect of it.
Stronghold Crusader Definitive Edition Gameplay - 8/10
Stronghold’s gameplay doesn’t change much from the game’s first iteration, but it does remain memorable and easy to pick up. That also remains true for Stronghold Crusader and its remasters, as this version even adds more variety to the units that are already in the game. There are still a few nitpicks like pathing issues for both workers and soldiers, but it isn’t anything game-breaking.
What Stronghold is known for is the various gameplay options (Campaign, Skirmish Trails, Sandbox) that let the player experience the game however they want to, whether it's fighting the iconic battles, playing certain scenarios, or building their castles as they see fit. However, the online multiplayer aspect is currently problematic, which does hamper the co-op experience.
Stronghold Crusader Definitive Edition Visuals - 9/10
With the game’s upgraded visuals, the definitive edition makes it look even better than before. The UI is also much cleaner, and the visual upgrades include better lighting and textures. Stronghold has always had an iconic art style, and it only serves to be even better as the 2D art is revitalized in this remaster.
Stronghold Crusader Definitive Edition Audio - 8/10
The remaster includes a remastered soundtrack as well as returning voice actors to bolster the already memorable audio design. In a sense, it’s as good as, if not better than, how it always was.
Stronghold Crusader Definitive Edition Value for Money - 9/10
For $19.99, Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition has amazing value for those who want to enjoy single-player content for the real-time strategy genre. With tons of added content, players will enjoy hours of playing through historical battles and sometimes even making their own. The only problem is that the online multiplayer isn’t in a good enough state as of writing, which makes the multiplayer content wasted until it’s fixed.
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Stronghold Crusader Definitive Edition Review: The People Appreciate You, Sire
Greetings, sire! The desert awaits you!
It’s been around two decades since I’ve heard that line, and yet it’s still as memorable. The Stronghold series has always been a cult classic. While it’s never been the most popular real-time strategy game, those who have played it are familiar with just how unique it is. If anything, this has been expected to come out since the release of the preceding remaster back in 2023. So with that being said, how does the definitive edition of Stronghold Crusader improve on its existing features?
Looks Better Than Ever
First off, let’s talk visuals. Stronghold has always had a unique charm about it that resonates a very 2000s vibe. Surprisingly enough, I found the whole look to be very familiar and nostalgic, even when I haven’t played it in a long time. In fact, the game supports 4K, has noticeably updated textures, lighting, and audio. It feels as if I’m still looking at the original, but I notice the improvements as I put in the hours of playing through the skirmishes.
Speaking of the audio design, the voice acting is still as memorable as I remember it. The high-pitched voice of the Archers, the gruff voice of the Swordsmen, and, of course, the ever-iconic Scribe describing the situation between you and your fictional people. Not to mention the music—it’s as nostalgic as ever while sounding the best it's ever been.
In short, the presentation of the game is top-notch. It’s familiar and nostalgic, but you can notice the improvements here and there, be it in the visuals or in its audio design.
Bringing It to Modern Times
The first thing players will see is that the remaster supports a new modern control scheme that’s mostly common for newer real-time strategy games. For context, the original Stronghold game uses left click to move, but the new control scheme will change it to the more common right click instead. Additionally, the remaster adds a ton of quality-of-life upgrades in gameplay as well, where trading in the marketplace is much faster, team-color selection for multiplayer, modern UI tweaks and cleanup, much better pathing and unit movement, smoother camera control, and more.
One of the best features that Stronghold has is the ability to create maps with its in-game Map Editor. In addition to this, larger map sizes are also supported. Players are now able to create maps up to four times larger than the original game. There are also numerous options on this end as well, where they’ve added tools for players to create their own AI lords and change their playstyle as they see fit. On this end, players can also create and download custom Skirmish Trails that players can access via the Steam workshop.
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Tons of New Content
If we were to be honest about remasters, some would upscale the visuals and audio and call it a day. However, FireFly Studios decided to add even more content to an already great game. The game has 8 brand new units from the Bedouin, which have unique traits. One of the basic units, the Skirmisher, can either play ranged or be a mobile spearman. Another more interesting unit is the Healer, which was a unit introduced in the next iteration of Crusader, allowing players to heal their units.
Speaking of the new units, the game also adds two new campaigns to teach players how to deal with and use these brand-new units. For the unfamiliar, the Campaign of Stronghold functions as a tutorial for players to get acquainted with the mechanics and features of the game. Additionally, more Skirmish Trails were added to introduce players to unique scenarios and different missions. A total of 32 new missions, all with optional timers if players want a challenge.
Also, a completely new mode has been added where players can play with a friend in the new Co-op Skirmish Trails. However…
New Co-op Mode and Multiplayer Support, But…
As of writing, Stronghold Crusader Definitive Edition’s multiplayer is not good. The main issue is that the game will constantly try to resync due to the multiplayer being designed as a peer-to-peer connection. This means that if one of the players is facing internet issues, then all of the players will suffer. It also bleeds into the game’s multiplayer game, where it would crash at times when there are more than two players connecting to a lobby.
This is a shame because this would be an amazing addition to an already great RTS game. Having the option to have eight players in one lobby sounds like a chaotic time that I would want to experience and have fun in. Just imagine the sight of four players sieging each other while two other players are already plotting to invade one of the players who are at war.
The People Should Follow You, Sire
Regardless of the online multiplayer issue, this is a remaster that older games should try to emulate. It doesn’t just update the visuals or even just upscale backgrounds using AI; it does that and adds even more content for people to appreciate. Not only that, but they even added tons of quality-of-life improvements for veterans and newcomers to appreciate.
And the cherry on top? The game is only $20! This is an RTS that you can sink an unlimited amount of time into with the seemingly endless amount of content you have access to. Even more so if you’re the type to visualize and create your own medieval battles and scenarios with the game’s improved Map Editor.
Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition truly is the definitive edition that improves on everything that the game already has and even adds much more. After two decades, it’s still as nostalgic and memorable as ever, yet somehow you can tell just how much better it is. FireFly Studios has already confirmed that there will be DLCs that include new enemy AI, skirmish trails, and much more. So what are you waiting for? It would be unwise to keep the desert waiting, especially if you want to relive the crusades.
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Is Stronghold Crusader Definitive Edition Worth It?
Yes. One of the Better Remasters Out There!
Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition is a worthwhile investment for those who are looking for an excuse to play a real-time strategy game. For $19.99, players can enjoy tons of added content on top of what the original already has. Additionally, the Stronghold series has always been perfect for those who want to try out the genre, and this remaster is no exception. However, if you’re looking to play this with friends or with a partner, then it might be worth waiting until it’s fixed, as the online modes are still problematic as of writing.
| Digital Storefronts | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steam |
|||||
| $19.99 | |||||
Stronghold Crusader Definitive Edition FAQ
What are the System Requirements for PC to play Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition?
The System Requirements as listed on Steam are as follows:
| Specifications | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10/11 (64-bit OS required) | |
| Processor | Intel® Core™ i3-6100 or equivalent (Arm processors are not supported) | |
| Memory | 8GB RAM | |
| Graphics | Graphics Card with 2GB VRAM (for 1080p) or 3GB VRAM (for 1440p) or 4GB VRAM (for 4k) | |
| Storage | 7GB | |
| Additional Specs | Direct X11 | |
Game8 Reviews
Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition Product Information
| [:img:4220897:{alt:Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition Cover, size:440x230, mode:original}] | |
| Title | STRONGHOLD CRUSADER: DEFINITIVE EDITION |
|---|---|
| Release Date | July 15, 2025 |
| Developer | FireFly Studios |
| Publisher | FireFly Studios |
| Supported Platforms | PC (Steam) |
| Genre | Strategy |
| Number of Players | 1-8 |
| ESRB Rating | T |
| Official Website | Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition Official Website |
