Stronghold Crusader HD

People claim that they have been short changed, but GoG (by default) installs Crusader HD and the Extreme version. Unfortunately only the Extreme version gets a short-cut, but in the install folder you will find the "Stronghold Crusader.exe" game file which runs just fine And if you want something even older, the add-ons includes the original Crusader (not HD). So three versions of the game come with the purchase (for Windows). Overall the game is terrific. I find it challenging enough without the Extreme, so play just Crusader HD. I am getting super value for the game, and I didn't even get it on sale.

Great game. I thoroughly enjoy building a massive army from the resources provided by a thriving economy inside my well defended castle walls. Had the first stronghold a while back but I prefer this one as it has some really cool new characters (archers on horses). This one also seems to play a little better than I remember the first time round, you tend to have to tweak your strategy to win games rather than stick with the same approach each time.

LotR2 was my favorite strategy game for "all time", it had all the things i thought a strategy game needed and that 'modern' games lack, but why did it lose that position to SH:Crusader? Stronghold Crusader is simple, even the dumbest people i know can learn how to play it in 5 min, intuitively without too many instructions. Its fast, as in fast passed, you mass armies and get into the action with greater intensity then... then perhaps any other strategy game out there. Its massive, you wont get tired of seeing literally thousands of units on your screen all bashing and slashing one another. To every strategy gamer i say this: this games basics are as follow -> you gather/produce resource A, which allows you to make resource B, and then further install or produce a great 'product' = resource/or final product C. There really isn't much more to it then that, with that you make weapons, bread, siege equipment and more. Imagine the middle ages and you probably got it there. Simple and fun, yet very creative. As for the units... frankly this game tops perhaps every other one out there on this aspect, the units are plenty, the unit limit will keep you guessing, and perhaps more important... Its NOT a rock-paper-scissors kind of game. Every unit has its pros and cons, and every unit can be used and its good because of what it is simply. So, archers are good because they have bows(real long distance attack from protected areas like towers), knights are good because of their heavy armor, and so on so forth. Its pretty simple, and that allows for some very varied styles of play, generally : be your own strategist. Finally, castle building: now the castle building part, to many, may sound like -"omg so much micromanaging, having to build a big fortress requires a lot of planing"... But that's far from it, in most games(as it was in the past perhaps) you'll see that you really build castles out of necessity and based on what the geography of what your location allows, almost as an intuitive response to the need for protection over constant attacks. Over time you develop your own small time architect inside of you, and you'll notice you begin to take on patterns and regular strategies for the general skirmish. overall this game in intense, fast, and awesome. it got me playing 7 hours straight(or so) with a friend of mine at his home once, and im not a big time addicted gamer, i guess you just cant escape it. :-) Essentially, i own and play AoE1+2, civ3 complete, EUIII complete, starcraft, the EEs, and a few other strategy titles. But nothing got me that hocked to big time multilayer action other then SH:Crusader, so if you like strategy, if you like multiplayer action... you cant miss this one. But don't say i didn't warn you, it is very addictive. cheers :D

Despite the same engine and on the surface, similar mechanics Stronghold: Crusader plays very differently in single player to the original. Almost always either the attacker or the defender, in Crusader you are always both, needing to both defend your own castle and assult your enemies. Because of this the concept of a siege really comes into its own - it's difficult to build a castle with all your resources inside the walls, thus it while taken on an enemy fortress at full strength can be near impossible you can take the middle ground and deny access to rare farmland and stone/iron and slowly wear an enemy down. The ability to use fire as an offensive weapon and the additional strategic opportunities afforded by the arabic units are fantastic additions. There are some flaws and balance issues, it's too easy to rebuild your castle while under assault at the market makes it too easy to do without some resources but overall it's a fantastically replayable game.