Stronghold: Crusader

 PC
User Score
8.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 410 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 364 out of 410
  2. Mixed: 29 out of 410
  3. Negative: 17 out of 410
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  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 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 ownListen 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. SergeyS.
    Dec 20, 2006
    10
    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 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).… Expand
  3. [Anonymous]
    Nov 30, 2002
    10
    A masterpiece. You can't go wrong with this one.
  4. jancifejs
    Jul 9, 2014
    10
    Stronghold crusader is one of the best RTS games ever. Nice graphics, epic battles and perfectly implemented castle building, conquering or defending. I agree with Mikester7, this game is little bit underrated by game critics, but you should try it and I am sure you will enjoy this awesome game. It's very cheap, I bought it on steam for 2.69€ and it totally worth!
  5. WillA.
    Nov 30, 2002
    10
    Great graphics, occassional humorous comments, makes this a pleasure to play.
  6. FakeLies
    Nov 9, 2011
    9
    I am a gamer that loves action, loves to blow **** up and to shoot some holes into my enemies...and even though being a pretty old game, i got this at my birthday this year...and its awesome...its not that hard, but due to the higher difficulty level every new mission this gets challenging pretty fast...i have to say i suck at rts,but i had so much fun just waging skirmish wars against KIsI am a gamer that loves action, loves to blow **** up and to shoot some holes into my enemies...and even though being a pretty old game, i got this at my birthday this year...and its awesome...its not that hard, but due to the higher difficulty level every new mission this gets challenging pretty fast...i have to say i suck at rts,but i had so much fun just waging skirmish wars against KIs that this game will always be a title ill have in my shelf....just waiting for me to want to play it again...just the same as rome total war and supreme commander...its not perfect by all means, but this is what i call a great video game… Expand
  7. 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 hard .This is my best game that i played in my life and i'll never forget a lot of hours played on it
  8. Sam
    Dec 3, 2002
    10
    Okay, Okay, this game rules. i have over 30 pc games and this is the one, its slick, great grahics, great sound, oh yes and incredibly funny exspeshily THE RAT. all in all spend your money right on this game you'll love it cause i do!!
  9. 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 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.
  10. ReBootEd
    Feb 29, 2012
    9
    One of the best RTS combat and sim games there is, worlds superior to the 3D Strongholds in every aspect.
    Great fun teaming up with a friend to combat hordes of enemies.

    You can shoot frickin dead cows at your enemies with a trebuchet and set their towns and dudes on fire.
  11. masterpaul
    Dec 2, 2013
    10
    i have the chance to play this game when i was a child. it was my favourite game eva ,The IA ,the music and the mechanic of popularity and taxes are the most singular characteristic.In this game you can get epic massive wars whit out needing a pc game give them a opportunities now its very cheap VERY CHEAP.
  12. renogza
    Dec 27, 2015
    9
    I am a gamer that loves action, loves to blow **** up and to shoot some holes into my enemies...and even though being a pretty old game, i got this at my birthday this year...and its awesome...its not that hard, but due to the higher difficulty level every new mission this gets challenging pretty fast...i have to say i suck at rts,but i had so much fun just waging skirmish wars against KIsI am a gamer that loves action, loves to blow **** up and to shoot some holes into my enemies...and even though being a pretty old game, i got this at my birthday this year...and its awesome...its not that hard, but due to the higher difficulty level every new mission this gets challenging pretty fast...i have to say i suck at rts,but i had so much fun just waging skirmish wars against KIs that this game will always be a title ill have in my shelf....just waiting for me to want to play it again...just the same as rome total war and supreme commander...its not perfect by all means, but this is what i call a great video game… Expand
  13. qwertyy
    Aug 29, 2011
    10
    when 7 years ago i played this,the first best game i played,i play a whole afternoon when i first play it ,hope stronghold 3 will be like this game!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  14. Skitte
    Jul 8, 2014
    10
    I saw a lot of strategic games, but this is the ONLY one that satisfy my pleasure and I see it as a true challenge that also link with history. For a 2000 era game, the graphics are outstanding and there is a lot of content and variety of features to try.
  15. RyanT.
    Aug 4, 2003
    8
    Great game!! if anyone can find any cheats for Stronghold:CRUSADERS for money or something please send them to me, thank you.
  16. CenkAlp
    Jan 3, 2018
    7
    Hikaye = 6
    Oynanış = 8
    Grafikler = 7
    Sesler = 7
    Keyif = 8
    Atmosfer = 8
    Süre = 7
  17. Mirannejad76
    Sep 4, 2018
    6
    stronghold : crusader is great Strategic game but i think second one is better .
  18. BenjoS.
    Mar 21, 2003
    10
    Interesting I Love it!!!!! The characters are really 3D based.
  19. BenM.
    Apr 1, 2004
    10
    Great game!!!!!! The best I've played in years.
  20. IanB.
    Apr 17, 2003
    8
    Although the game is great i do think that the development team have been very lazy as it differs only slightly from the original. I hope when i buy the next one i get my moneys worth!
  21. 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 loss. The inclusion of new units is a plus as well.
  22. C.G.
    Aug 29, 2004
    9
    Brilliant!! best pc game i ever played (despite the fact it is the only pc game i ever played!!)
  23. 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 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!
  24. SashaP.
    Mar 29, 2003
    8
    I like it, but I wish they made the same templates (err i mean the land temlates in editing) from the original compatible with crusaders. Deserts end somewhere.lol. I know it was geared toward historical battle and all that but still. I like making maps but hate the new editor. it reminds of the total annihilation kingdoms when they came out with the plague. new templates werent I like it, but I wish they made the same templates (err i mean the land temlates in editing) from the original compatible with crusaders. Deserts end somewhere.lol. I know it was geared toward historical battle and all that but still. I like making maps but hate the new editor. it reminds of the total annihilation kingdoms when they came out with the plague. new templates werent compatible with the original tak. But there proggies to be able to use them. Think someone will make them? I hope so.lol. Anyways, great game. … Expand
  25. Theredone
    Apr 21, 2003
    9
    This game is capable of keeping you entertained for hours if played with the right people. Campaigns are increasingly difficult yet not impossible while maintaining a high level of fun.
  26. DucVolpeWolf
    Aug 13, 2004
    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!
  27. KnownOperative
    Sep 9, 2015
    10
    Fair Review from someone with 20+ gaming years expirience.

    (This game is an absolute Classic strategy game, one of the best Ever made, Especially multiplayer wise)
    Multiplayer gameplay could rival Starcraft. Released in 2002, it is still a fun game to play in the Year 2015.
  28. Triasadi
    Feb 28, 2015
    10
    Stronghold Crusader is my favourite RTS game. I first played it since 7 years ago and bought the steam version recently. It was one of the best and most addicting game I played back then. The game is quite simple when you get the hang of it. Stronghold Crusader mixes castle building, RTS, and resource management. The soundtrack fits the theme very well. The campaign will teach you most ofStronghold Crusader is my favourite RTS game. I first played it since 7 years ago and bought the steam version recently. It was one of the best and most addicting game I played back then. The game is quite simple when you get the hang of it. Stronghold Crusader mixes castle building, RTS, and resource management. The soundtrack fits the theme very well. The campaign will teach you most of the things from resource gathering, building and defending your castle, to siegeing the enemy and defending your castle. The AI for Stronghold Crusader is excellent, different AI lords will have different strategies and difficulties. Each AI has different castle builds and different troop choice. You can choose using Arab or European troops or even all together. The gameplay is still great till this day, event though the game was from 2001. And I really like the HD addiction of the game, the max resolution used to be 1024x768 and after the HD addition you can play with almost any resolution. Stronghold Crusader is a must have for RTS players, overall 10/10.… Expand
  29. shatti
    Apr 20, 2019
    10
    timless classic rts
    still playing it these days and maybe for ever simbly because casual rts games are dead and we are left with these amazing legacy
  30. Lashab
    Jan 9, 2015
    10
    Amazing game. It has very bad graphics but the gameplay is probably best I have seen. Economics, Diplomacy, War - this game has everything Considering the date of its release, this has to be the best RTS game ever. Sure there might be better games recently released, but considering the game was released 13 years ago, it feels impossible - how did they do it?
  31. Eremiel
    Apr 2, 2018
    9
    I said to myself ,,, OK, lest play a few maps to bring back good old memories and now I've played more than 100 hours! oops!!
  32. Wiebe
    Feb 26, 2020
    9
    Awesome game for its time, great fun, unique building tools, and great progression.
  33. Axilley
    Jul 22, 2021
    9
    good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good legend sd 2
  34. DarkBee
    Apr 5, 2018
    10
    Each player has his favorite setting. Someone likes the Second World War, someone loves science fiction, someone gives a steampunk ... And almost everyone loves the Middle Ages.
    "All one size fits all, author!" "What a shameful subjectivity!". And here not.
    The rabid love of gamers around the world for the medieval setting is not only in some special romance of those times, which, of    Each player has his favorite setting. Someone likes the Second World War, someone loves science fiction, someone gives a steampunk ... And almost everyone loves the Middle Ages.
    "All one size fits all, author!" "What a shameful subjectivity!". And here not.
    The rabid love of gamers around the world for the medieval setting is not only in some special romance of those times, which, of course, takes place. Popularization of the Middle Ages is greatly facilitated by fantasy, because in most cases, fantasy worlds do not differ so much from any England of the 13th century. Laws, philosophy, relationship with religion, feudalism, the organization of armies ... Often, popular fantasy universes simply copy from real history, along the way adapting individual elements to their "dungeons-with-draconian" nuances.

    So the Middle Ages remain in the trend. Like the games in this setting. The Stronghold series was once a great discovery for me - a game that well uses the rule of the golden mean.

    On one side of the scales we have any classic RTS - we can frame units in frames and send them by a heap to slaughter, to win it is often necessary to break the enemy's base, for success you must necessarily get all the resources, the main one is old-good money ... On the other The scales of the scale are the covenants of even very hardcore German Settlers - there are many resources, and the most valuable ones are at the end of the production chains. The same soldiers you do not hire without the right weapons - you want to create a detachment of swordsmen? At the mines, they extract iron and deliver it to the warehouse, the smith and the master armor (these are two different artisans!) From this iron they create swords and armor. Deliver them to the weapons - and only then barracks encased in armor appear from the barracks!

    Music 10
    Sounds 10
    Setting 10
    Surroundings 10    … Expand
  35. Berik
    Jul 24, 2019
    9
    As far as Real-time Strategy games go, Stronghold shows to this day how to do it right and in a fun way. Where other RTS games focus on slapping down entire walls, barracks and production buildings without much thought to it, Stronghold Crusader let's you design your castle layout in detail. Build walls as thick as you want, place production buildings in the order that benefits yourAs far as Real-time Strategy games go, Stronghold shows to this day how to do it right and in a fun way. Where other RTS games focus on slapping down entire walls, barracks and production buildings without much thought to it, Stronghold Crusader let's you design your castle layout in detail. Build walls as thick as you want, place production buildings in the order that benefits your production and use the terrain to your advantage.

    Being a successor to the original Stronghold, Crusader improves the known formula by adding more units, more enemy AI's, two conquest trails with over 40 missions, new (short) campaigns and more. If you couldn't get enough from the original Stronghold, this entry is your answer.

    Even in 2019, the game is still incredibly fun. The HD edition on steam let's you play in higher resolutions, and doesn't diminish in quality one bit. It's a fantastic game. I give it a 9/10.    … Expand
  36. nieXas
    Dec 21, 2018
    10
    One of the best strategy games of all time. Surely there have been some bugs where you can finish level in 5 minutes, but still it is a masterpiece.
  37. glomman
    Oct 12, 2019
    8
    Stronghold Crusader is one of the best RTS games I have ever played. Not only does it have an in-depth economy system, but also the combat, building your castle, and especially besieging other players' castles is a lot of fun! The only things that were mildly disturbing are the lackluster HD Remaster, and the fact that the combat could've been more in-depth, but that's juts a little bit ofStronghold Crusader is one of the best RTS games I have ever played. Not only does it have an in-depth economy system, but also the combat, building your castle, and especially besieging other players' castles is a lot of fun! The only things that were mildly disturbing are the lackluster HD Remaster, and the fact that the combat could've been more in-depth, but that's juts a little bit of nit-picking from my side.… Expand
  38. Ilkin123
    Oct 7, 2019
    10
    The best RTS Game ever. This is very interesting strategy. This game have a many interesting characters very good maps and very hard missions.
  39. CDannyZ
    Nov 23, 2019
    10
    Holy this game isnt about graphic, but Its the best stronghold i have ever played. Everyone should try it
  40. kretas
    Jun 21, 2020
    10
    I still play it often, I adore it, I think the graphics are really lovely not as stiff as the future stronghold games. 10/10
  41. Gorbunov2004
    Mar 25, 2021
    8
    Неплохое дополнение которое добавляет кампанию состоящий из 50 заданий, плюсы все те же что и оригинальные игры. Сюжета нет.
  42. RockerKR
    Nov 17, 2020
    8
    IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII Good Game IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
  43. 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 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 ofExcellent 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
  44. kolarz3
    May 19, 2023
    10
    On of the best games that I ever played. I like a lot fact of building my own stronghold.
  45. enro
    Feb 18, 2021
    8
    This game gives me nostalgia. I remember when I was losing hoursa day with this game. I definitely recommend!
  46. Rnoviok
    Dec 5, 2021
    8
    even after all these years the game is great, perfect for weak hardware .
  47. cercisyusuf
    Sep 8, 2023
    10
    its better than the other all rts games like age of empires and commend conquer generals. underrated af i think
  48. VictorHugo1482
    Aug 30, 2022
    7
    * singing chaotic gregorian chants *

    it's an ok game, there is nothing else to say about that.
  49. erfunfazli
    Aug 8, 2023
    10
    Really a masterpiece with great graphic, gameplay, soundtrack and...
    I'm sure it's one of the best strategy games of all time.
  50. IamNader
    May 9, 2023
    8
    The game can plug hours and hours of time! And this subject is just great - 8/10
  51. Quazder
    Jun 25, 2023
    10
    This game is just old masterpiece. Nice strategy, good music, nice feeling when playing. its simply a masterpiece
  52. LordOfKertos
    Sep 7, 2023
    9
    This game is fun to play even 20 years after, its an iconic RTS game that every RTS lover needs to try. Truly masterpiece.

Awards & Rankings

61
#61 Best PC Game of 2002
12
#12 Most Discussed PC Game of 2002
8
#8 Most Shared PC Game of 2002

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic 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]
  2. Game Over Online
    80
    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
  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.
See all critic reviews »