Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition announced

Firefly Studios has announced Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition, a newly remastered version of their legendary real-time strategy game.

Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition is in development for Windows PC (via Steam) and will launch on July 15th of this year. A playable demo will be released on the game’s Steam page today at 9AM Pacific / 12 PM Eastern.

“We have tried to go beyond what our players expect,” said Nick Tannahill, Studio Head at Firefly Studios and Stronghold series veteran of 13 years in a press release. “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.”

Here’s a rundown on the game, plus its reveal trailer and gameplay:

Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition is an expanded remaster of the original 2002 ‘castle sim’ from Firefly Studios. Overhauled by the original game’s veteran developers, this new definitive edition features remastered artwork, animations and music, in addition fresh gameplay content, returning voice actors and many fan-requested improvements including larger maps. Improved with new playable units, characters, campaigns and more, Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition is the ultimate way to play this classic RTS.

Gird your loins and sharpen your steel because, a full quarter century since the studio’s inception, Firefly is ecstatic to announce Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition! Following Stronghold: Definitive Edition in 2023, which has sold over half a million copies, Firefly can now reveal their best-selling Crusader title will return with a new definitive edition releasing this year on July 15th 2025! This fan-favourite entry in the BAFTA-nominated Stronghold series has been rebuilt with the game’s original developers adding brand new content, elevated graphics and extensive player-requested features.

Command war-honed Crusader warriors as they brave the merciless desert sands, then, as Saladin, lead a mighty army drawn from every corner of the Middle East and repel the invading zealots.

In Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition, players dominate the greatest frontier of the medieval age, waging brutal war across timeless battlefronts and sieging epic fortresses, to relive the glorious clashes that have shaped human history. Journey across the heart of the medieval world and take part in the legendary Crusades for the holy land. Witness the struggle of wills between Richard the Lionheart, King of England, and Sultan Saladin ibn Ayyub, spearhead of the Islamic domain and founder of the Ayyubid dynasty. Command war-honed Crusader warriors as they brave the merciless desert sands, then, as Saladin, lead a mighty army drawn from every corner of the Middle East and repel the invading zealots.

Catapulting from its towering 23 year history, Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition expands on the original RTS city builder. Four new AI opponents, eight Bedouin warrior units, two historical campaigns to learn how to command these soldiers and four ‘Sands of Time’ skirmish trails to test your skill means there is plenty to look forward to. Skirmish mode lovers meanwhile will also be rewarded with larger map sizes and new maps to battle across, along with enhanced graphics and audio. Add to this a new co-op skirmish trail, custom options and other player-requested changes, and it is clear that Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition aims to realise the full vision of the development talent behind the multi-million selling original ‘castle sim’.

In upgrading the old and leaving the gold, the core essence of Crusader has been both carefully rebuilt and expanded on.

Interlacing fresh gameplay content, technical improvements, customisable conveniences and highly requested quality of life additions, Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition allows veterans and newcomers to rediscover a strategy classic and play it the way they want to. Whether that’s flexing their skills against the latest AI lords, charging through the new co-op campaign with a friend or marvelling at their majestic desert domain in all its isometric glory, in upgrading the old and leaving the gold, the core essence of Crusader has been both carefully rebuilt and expanded on.

New Features

• CLAIM YOUR BIRTHRIGHT and build a thriving desert city with a full castle economy and vicious defences!
• COMMAND NEW UNITS in the form of 8 brave Bedouin warriors with unique attributes, strengths and abilities.
• CLASH AGAINST AI LORDS in skirmish mode, with 4 all-new adversaries employing unique castles and tactics.
• PROVE YOURSELF across 2 new historical campaigns, before facing the challenge of 4 ‘Sands of Time’ skirmish trails.
• SHARE THE LOAD in a new co-op trail, play together against the AI in skirmish or go head-to-head with 8 players online.
• BESIEGE NEW BATTLEFIELDS using larger map sizes, new multiplayer maps and Workshop support for custom scenarios.
• ADMIRE THINE KINGDOM with remastered visuals and music, as well as new recordings from the original game’s actors.