Stronghold Crusader 2

Firefly Studios

Rank: #3 / 10
Released: 2014
Studio: Firefly Studios
Genre: real-time strategy

At a glance

Stronghold Crusader 2 is a real-time strategy and simulation game from Firefly Studios, released for Windows in 2014. Set in the Middle East around 1189, it combines castle building and defense with management of a desert settlement. Players can take the role of a Crusader Knight or an Arabic fighter, command more than 25 types of units, and use siege equipment in battles. Its single-player content includes two campaigns featuring Richard the Lionheart and the Sultan of Syria, with events such as tornadoes and locust swarms. Outside the campaigns, skirmish mode supports battles against AI opponents, and multiplayer allows up to eight players across human and AI participants, with no more than four humans. Players can form teams, select AI opponents, and make maps for skirmish or multiplayer matches. Steam features include co-op, online PvP, Workshop, Cloud, Achievements, and Trading Cards.

Who it is for

It suits players who want castle-focused RTS play with settlement management, campaigns, skirmishes, or multiplayer. Map creation and AI opponents may appeal to groups setting up their own matches.

What is good

More than 25 unit types to command
Two single-player campaigns
Skirmish and multiplayer modes
Map design for custom matches
Steam Workshop and Cloud support

What to know first

Windows is the only listed platform
Multiplayer allows at most four human players

Verdict

Stronghold Crusader 2 pairs desert castle warfare with economy management and several ways to play. Its online matches include AI participants, while human players are capped at four.