Stronghold: Crusader
| Stronghold: Crusader (and Stronghold Warchest) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Firefly Studios |
| Publisher(s) | Take 2 Interactive and God Games |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows |
| Release | September 25, 2002 |
| Genre(s) | Real-time strategy, Simulation |
| Mode(s) | Single player, multiplayer (IPX, TCP/IP or Modem) |
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.
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.
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.
Characters:
- The Rat
- The Snake
- The Pig
- The Wolf
- Richard the Lionheart
- Saladin
- The Caliph
- The Sultan
The following characters only appear in Stronghold Warchest.
- The Nizar
- The Wazir
- The Emir
- The Sheriff of Nottingham
- The Abott
- The Marshal
- Philip of France
- Emperor Barbarossa
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.[3] It is planned for release in Spring 2008.
Find more information about the game at unofficial forum of Stronghold Crusader Extreme