Games

Best of 2009 | 08 |07 | 06 | 05
Advanced Search

Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.

Stronghold: Crusader

EMAIL PRINT pc

9.5 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 14 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 34 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game >

Game Info

Publisher: Gathering of Developers

Developer: FireFly Studios

Genre(s): Real-Time Strategy, City Building

Players: 8

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Release Date: September 24, 2002

Summary

Journey to distant lands renowned for brave warriors and fearsome weaponry. This highly anticipated successor to the best-selling Stronghold combines the finest aspects from a City Builder and a Real-Time Strategy game. Lead a determined group of crusaders, forged by centuries of barbaric conflicts, or wage war against a powerful foreign invader amidst the haze of the desert heat. Within impenetrable walls beats the heart of a thriving society full of Fletchers, Brewers, and Armourers, while outside stalk enemy Assassins, mighty War Engines, and the constant threat of fire! As European nobles or Arabian warriors, conquer this unforgiving wasteland, defend desert fortresses, and lay siege to fearless enemies during the legendary Crusades of the 11th and 12th centuries! [God Games]

Also On Metacritic

GAMES: Stronghold Stronghold 2

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Game Informer

When you use a trebuchet (an enormous catapult) to launch a diseased cow over an enemy's walls and watch his population drop like flies, you can't help but get that warm fuzzy "I love this game" feeling. [Dec 2002, p.149]

TotalGames.net

It looks wonderful, plays like a dream and deserves a place in the games collection of any self-respecting strategy fan immediately.

Read Full Review >

ActionTrip

Economy and warfare are well balanced and equally exciting. The gameplay is fantastic, and it will require you to think strategically in stead of just massing up units.

Read Full Review >

IGN

If you enjoyed the mighty Stronghold, but want a game with even more substance, then sire, your software is ready.

Read Full Review >

PC Format

An interesting twist is the lack of fog of war. This takes a while to get used to, but works surprisingly well.

Read Full Review >

GameSpy

A much better game than the original.

Read Full Review >

Armchair Empire

It's hard! On the plus side, it is not frustratingly so, as with some dedicated play, most gamers will likely find it to be a rewarding challenge.

Read Full Review >

GameZone

Taking place in a barren desert is a nice twist and makes the player go for some other strategy that he may not be used to while playing similar games where resources are plentiful.

Read Full Review >

Game Over Online

Basically, Crusader is just Stronghold but browner, and whether you like it or not will probably have a lot to do with whether you played Stronghold and how much you liked it.

Read Full Review >

GameSpot

Considering its new campaign options, more-satisfying single-player missions, and tweaked gameplay, it's a safe bet that fans of the original game will have even more fun storming the castle.

Read Full Review >

PC Gamer

It's just a few new features away from glory. [Holiday 2002, p.85]

Computer Games Magazine

Compensating for the lack of visual variety is the sheer wealth of interesting and engaging play modes. [Jan 2003, p.83]

Yahoo! Games

This deliciously brutal slice of RTS gaming is a hugely enjoyable Middle Ages romp.

Read Full Review >

Computer Gaming World

The Arabs are the most disappointing addition to the game. Instead of a fully realized faction, they're window dressing. [Jan 2003, p.110]

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 9.5 (out of 10) based on 34 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Sergey S. gave it a10:
The best strategy game I've ever played, given that I'm not a big strategy fan. I was pretty disappointed the first a couple of times I played it: I had no clue what was going on and was defeated withing 10 minutes. Once I got a grasp on it, though, I couldn't stop playing it. I still waste a couple of hours a month with this game even though it's 4 years old now (ancient, according to tech standards).

Chris C. gave it a9:
It was a good game, but here and there are a little things that don't, lets say, seem ok, like if your on a hill that is over looking someone, you cant build moats on that hill, and in the crusades, there were plenty of castles on hills that had moats, besides that, this game was awsome!

JAY A. gave it a 10:
I love this game!!!!!! if anyone is good at the level were u have to beat the 3 pigs and lionheart please tell me the hints and tips.

C. G. gave it a 9:
Brilliant!! best pc game i ever played (despite the fact it is the only pc game i ever played!!)

Duc Volpe Wolf gave it a 10:
This game hasn't been very changed since stronghold numba 1, but the little twist is arabs.when you don't want make armour and bows, then you'll always have the arabs.this and c&c:generals and starcraft are three of the best strategy games ever i rest my case!

Ben M. gave it a 10:
Great game!!!!!! The best I've played in years.

James Silence gave it a 10:
Even though the single player missions have no plot holding them together, the overall variety and intensity of the game makes up for the loss. The inclusion of new units is a plus as well.

Games

Sony

Microsoft

Nintendo

Other Platforms

Upcoming &Recent Releases

Stronghold: Crusader

Game Info

Summary

Also On Metacritic

What The Critics Said

What Our Users Said

Upcoming &
Recent Releases