23 years later, one beloved Age of Empires 2 rival returns in a big way

RTS games may be enjoying a modern resurgence, but you just can't beat the classics. Even all these years later, Command and Conquer: Red Alert, Age of Empires 2, and Starcraft 2 remain the genre's must-plays. The same goes for Stronghold Crusader. You no longer need to go back to the original, however, because the all-new Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition is finally here. With improved graphics and extra campaigns, it's the ideal way to play.

The original Stronghold Crusader came out all the way back in 2002. Part of one of the best RTS game series of all time, you're transported to the Holy Land, where you need to take control by any means necessary. That means you've got to grow your forces, lay siege to castles, and win some truly historic battles. Like the rest of the genre, you need to balance rearing an army with laying waste to your enemies.

But there's another layer to this strategy game. Like Manor Lords, you've also got to focus on constructing the perfect fortress. While siege engines and defenses are important, you don't want to forget about design. The placement of your walls, inner structures, and use of the landscape around you are all vital to success.

Now that Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition is here, it brings plenty of enhancements to the original version of the game. Developer Firefly Studios has modernized the visuals while keeping the original's aesthetic intact, which leads to a style that feels simultaneously old and new. The team has also added two historical campaigns, eight more units, and four extra AI lords with whom to do battle.

And there's more to come. Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition has a roadmap that stretches across 2025, and it's packed with things to do. Multiple free updates are on the way that will introduce more missions, new maps, and the ability to customize CPU enemies. There's even going to be premium DLC, which will include new opponents and even tougher missions for you to complete.

Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition is available on Steam right now. Just head here to get involved.

If you want more, we've also got all the best grand strategy games and turn-based strategy games available on PC right now.

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