Stronghold: Crusader

 PC
Stronghold: Crusader Image
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 402 Ratings

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  • 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 barbaricJourney 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]… Expand
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Stronghold: Crusader Movie 1

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 14
  3. Negative: 1 out of 14
  1. Game Informer
    88
    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]
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  2. ActionTrip
    85
    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.
  3. TotalGames.net
    85
    It looks wonderful, plays like a dream and deserves a place in the games collection of any self-respecting strategy fan immediately.
    All this publication's reviews
  4. GameSpy
    80
    A much better game than the original.
  5. GameZone
    80
    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.
  6. GameSpot
    80
    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.
  7. Computer Gaming World
    40
    The Arabs are the most disappointing addition to the game. Instead of a fully realized faction, they're window dressing. [Jan 2003, p.110]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 14 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 44 out of 47
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 47
  3. Negative: 0 out of 47
  1. Mikester7
    Dec 22, 2010
    10
    Listen to the users and not the critics on this game as this is by far underrated. A great cross between an RTS game and a sim providing moreListen to the users and not the critics on this game as this is by far underrated. A great cross between an RTS game and a sim providing more realism. While the AI are fairly predictable this game can still be very challenging, especially when undergoing the crusader trail which requires you to perform certain tactics in order to establish a foothold to win that level. Designing your own map and playing it is always a lot of fun, or even better, downloading someone else's maps and playing them. Even though the game includes a huge amount of maps, there is community fourms that design many great maps for players to download and play. Extremely cheap game, any RTS player should buy it.… Expand
  2. 11killakal11
    Oct 27, 2011
    10
    Stronghold Crusader is by far my favourite game. The graphics are old yet still work so, so well. The gameplay is abit complicated but as soonStronghold Crusader is by far my favourite game. The graphics are old yet still work so, so well. The gameplay is abit complicated but as soon as you learn it you love it. Stronghold Crusader is a must-have for strategy gamers. There is so mayn game modes a well, will keep you occupied forever.… Expand
  4. JamesSilence
    Jan 28, 2004
    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 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.… Expand
  5. Arberhoti
    Jul 22, 2013
    10
    I played this game 5 years ago and i still love it and play it .This was my first strategy game that i played and i feel this game rly hardI played this game 5 years ago and i still love it and play it .This was my first strategy game that i played and i feel this game rly hard .This is my best game that i played in my life and i'll never forget a lot of hours played on it … Expand
  6. ChrisC.
    Sep 11, 2006
    9
    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 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!… Expand
  7. Torgall
    Jan 26, 2022
    9
    Excellent sequel, that I enjoyed the same as the previous game. The games takes place on exotic maps, welcomed changed after very grassyExcellent sequel, that I enjoyed the same as the previous game. The games takes place on exotic maps, welcomed changed after very grassy European art style. New units, especially the mounted archers are quite a game changer. The mercenaries are a nice addition because you can play differently, focusing more on making gold by the means of production or taxes. The one downside is the lack of campaign storytelling that was very nice in the first game, here you just get small info before playing basically a series of fixed maps.… Expand
  8. Mirannejad76
    Sep 4, 2018
    6
    stronghold : crusader is great Strategic game but i think second one is better .

See all 47 User Reviews

Trailers

Awards & Rankings

61
#61 Best PC Game of 2002
13
#13 Most Discussed PC Game of 2002
8
#8 Most Shared PC Game of 2002

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