Stronghold Crusader II
Stronghold Crusader 2 is the long awaited sequel to Stronghold: Crusader, the original 'castle sim'. After 12 years Stronghold returns to the deserts of the Middle East circa 1189, with a new 3D engine and realistic castle destruction powered by Havok Physics. Crusader 2 will recapture the original game’s addictive, fast-paced gameplay and authentic castle simulation. True to its roots this new Stronghold will define old school real time strategy, combining RTS and city builder gameplay. Playing as a brutal Crusader Knight or Arabic freedom fighter, you must use a deadly array of troops and destructive siege equipment to decide the fate of the holy lands. Lead your forces into battle as either Richard the Lionheart or the Sultan of Syria in two historic single-player campaigns, with dynamic events such as tornados and locust swarms. Become the greatest Lord by managing your desert economy and seizing control of vital oases. To dominate the battlefield you will need to command more than 25 unique unit types, mastering their special abilities. Raise morale with the Sergeant at Arms, charge in with the Sassanid Knight, use Archers to launch an arrow volley or scale castle walls with the deadly Assassin. Once your skills have been perfected put them to the test in skirmish mode or take the battle online with up to eight players. Create teams, choose different AI opponents and design your own map in the ultimate skirmish or multiplayer game!
What it feels like
Serious historical military simulation without irony or parody in tone and presentation.
What it's about
Warfare, siege combat, and commanding armies dominate the thematic setting and gameplay. Setting in 1189 Middle East with named historical figures (Richard, Sultan) grounds the experience in historical texture.
How it plays
Real-time strategy commanding troops, resources, and battlefield tactics is definitional to the core gameplay loop. Managing desert economy, oases, and settlement infrastructure is explicitly central to the original's 'castle sim' identity. Economy management and desert resource control (oases, food, gold) are core to strategic dominance.
How it looks and sounds
New 3D engine with realistic physics and destruction suggests a move toward photorealistic rendering.
How it's structured
Two authored single-player campaigns (Richard the Lionheart and Sultan of Syria) provide bounded narrative structure. 3D engine with realistic destruction suggests a continuous playable space without loading screen boundaries. Online multiplayer with up to 8 players and skirmish mode enables direct player-versus-player competition.
Kindred games
Shares Real-Time Strategy, City Building, Resource Management, Base Building.
Both lean into Real-Time Strategy, City Building, Resource Management, Base Building.
Shares Real-Time Strategy, City Building, Resource Management, Base Building.
Both lean into Real-Time Strategy, City Building, Resource Management, Base Building.
Shares Real-Time Strategy, Resource Management, City Building, Historical.
Both lean into Real-Time Strategy, Campaign, Resource Management, City Building.
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