After the highly successful Stronghold: Definitive Edition, which arrived in late 2023, Firefly Studios is returning to the series with Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition, an ambitious remaster of the fan-favorite RTS city builder, and it’s coming this summer.
Stronghold veterans and newcomers alike can now experience a generous demo that includes all-new units, graphics, AI opponents, and more. The demo will be available during the current Steam RTS Fest. The full game will launch on July 15, 2025.
Nick Tannahill, Studio Head at Firefly Studios, said the following: “We have tried to go beyond what our players expect… This is their favourite game and it deserves to be remastered in all its pre-rendered isometric glory, but with plenty of extra bells and whistles! We would not be doing this were it not for those still playing multiplayer, designing maps and creating mods, like the awesome Unofficial Crusader Patch, so I can’t wait to hear what they all think of our upcoming public demos. We really are dedicated to taking our time with Stronghold and acting on feedback whenever possible.”
If this is your first time jumping into Stronghold Crusader, you just need to know the setting introduced Crusader warriors as they braved the desert and Saladin, who led a “mighty army drawn from every corner of the Middle East.” Preparing and maintaining fortresses is as important as knowing how to wage war on the battlefield; this is the mix that made the Stronghold series so enduring, and Firefly hopes new players will be enchanted by the series’ unique take on the RTS genre and gorgeous 2.5D isometric visuals.
Beyond the audiovisual remastering effort, Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition is teasing new features such as four new AI opponents, eight new Bedouin warrior units, at least one extra campaign that can be played in co-op too, and four ‘Sands of Time’ skirmish trials. Regular skirmish is also being expanded with extra-large maps and more custom options on top of player-requested changes.
Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition is confirmed to launch on PC (Steam) on July 15, 2025. No details have been released yet about a possible GOG release.
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