Stronghold: Crusader

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For the first Stronghold from Firefly Studios, see Stronghold (2001 game).
Stronghold: Crusader (and Stronghold Warchest)
Stronghold PC Box cover
Developer(s) Firefly Studios
Publisher(s) Take 2 Interactive and God Games
Platform(s) Microsoft Windows
Release date September 25, 2002
Genre(s) Real-time strategy, Simulation
Mode(s) Single player, multiplayer (IPX, TCP/IP or Modem)
Rating(s) ELSPA: 11+
ESRB: T
Media CD (1)
System requirements 300 MHz CPU, 64MB RAM, 850 MB HD
Input methods Keyboard, mouse

Stronghold: Crusader is a standalone expansion of Firefly Studios's 2001 game Stronghold; Firefly's first Stronghold is not required to play Stronghold: Crusader.[1] Crusader differs from its predecessor in the fact that the game is no longer set in a pseudo-Europe, but is instead set in the Middle East during the Crusades. [2] The game features several new Arabian units that can be purchased in a new building, the mercenary post. Though the Arabian troops do not require any resources to produce, they are rather expensive. The game was also released as Stronghold Warchest. This version was a compendium of Stronghold and an enhanced version of Stronghold: Crusader, containing additional characters and an additional Crusader Trail.

Stronghold Warchest was only released in North America, meaning players in the rest of the world have never encountered the second Crusader Trail, or second set of characters. This is to change when an updated version of Stronghold Crusader, Stronghold Crusader Extreme is released, though no European Release Date has been announced[3].

Contents

[edit] Campaigns

Like in most real-time strategy games, Stronghold Crusader features several campaign strings. These document the First, Second and Third Crusade, as well as conflicts within the individual Crusader states. In the first Campaign string, you must lead the armies of Europe across Anatolia and towards Jerusalem (Nicea, Heraclea, countersiege of Antioch, Krak de Chavelliers, and the Siege of Jerusalem (1099). The game also features the Crusader Trail, a series of 50 linked missions designed to develop your game-playing skills. Only the most dedicated and proficient players will be able to complete the Trail. Stronghold Warchest adds a second Crusader Trail consisting of 30 linked missions. Stronghold Crusader Extreme also adds an all new Extreme Trail.

[edit] Gameplay Differences

The gameplay between Crusader and the original differs in the fact it's a completely different setting. Since Crusader is set in the Middle East, there are limited resources and farmland. Instead of being able to build farms wherever you choose in the original, you are limited to building farms only on oasis grass. This creates a rivalry among opponents and allies alike for farmland and makes the game more competitive. Also, there are 4 or 8 new AI opponents (depends on which version of the game purchased) and several new Arabian units purchasable from a mercenary post. And the players color is Red rather than Blue to give the player the look of the Knights Templar.

Characters:

The following characters only appear in Stronghold Warchest (though the first three are downloadable from the main site)

[edit] Stronghold Crusader Extreme

On January 28, 2008, Firefly Studios announced Stronghold Crusader Extreme. It boasts "new tactical powers", "new AI opponents and maps", "new crusader extreme trail", "battles featuring over 10,000 units" and Windows Vista compatibility.[4] It was released May 28, 2008.
Find more information about the game at unofficial forum of Stronghold Crusader Extreme

[edit] References

  1. ^ Stronghold: Crusader Gamespot review
  2. ^ Stronghold: Crusader official website
  3. ^ Eurogamer Release Date Page
  4. ^ Stronghold: Crusader Firefly Studios' official Website for Stronghold Crusader Extreme

[edit] External links


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Firefly Studios Stronghold video games