Castle-building sim Stronghold Crusader Definitive Edition is a Steam success

Since being a real Age of Empires competitor back in the day, Stronghold Crusader, and the broader Stronghold franchise, was dormant for many years. This has begun to change, thanks in part to new definitive editions, which update and streamline the strategy classics for modern hardware. Just a couple of days after launch, Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition is officially a hit on Steam. The game opened to strong player numbers and rave reviews.

Since Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition's launch on July 15, it has hit an all-time peak of nearly 14,000 players and a 91% approval rating (meaning it has a "very positive" rating on Steam). These numbers prove that the throwback Stronghold Crusader represents has legs. In some sense, it is a classic RTS game. You'll control armies, gather resources, and construct your stronghold in real time. It is the castle-building which sets Stronghold Crusader apart. The game is a smart mix of city building and tactical battles; how you construct your fortress and how you recruit your armies will determine whether you can snatch victory.

The new definitive edition is not just a facelift; it comes with a host of new features. In a new co-op mode, you and up to eight friend can battle it out against AI lords. It also add eight unit types, four new AI-controlled lords, even new campaigns. Plenty of updates are to come, the first of which will add a new economic campaign, a new AI lord, and three new maps.

You can purchase Stronghold Crusader on Steam for a launch discount of $17.99 until July 29. Check it out here.

If you are looking for more strategic and economic masterpieces, check out the best 4X games. If you want a mix of tactic both grand and granular, take a look at the best strategy games.

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