The WhatsNext verdict
If you enjoy designing castles, balancing an economy, and replaying skirmishes, Stronghold Crusader HD delivers a satisfying loop. Play it for that sandbox depth, not a rich campaign or adaptive AI.
What it does best
Designing the castle is its own strategic pleasure
Castle economics and battlefield planning reinforce each other
Skirmishes stay compelling for hundreds of hours
What might put you off
The simulation can feel more gamey than believable
The campaign is thin compared with the skirmish game
The setup
What you are walking into
The highly anticipated sequel to the best-selling Stronghold, Stronghold Crusader HD throws you into historic battles and castle sieges from the Crusades with fiendish AI opponents, new units, 4 historical campaigns and over 100 unique skirmish missions. Stronghold Crusader HD features several campaigns documenting the First, Second and Third Crusades, as well as conflicts within the individual Crusader states. Battles such as Nicea, Heraclea, siege of Antioch, Krak des Chevaliers and the Siege of Jerusalem all feature, as do the Crusader Trails from the Stronghold Warchest and Stronghold Crusader Extreme.
Where it lives
Genre
Vibe
Up next
