FAQ#

Q: "Q: When did this game come out?"

"The mainstream record is late September 2002 — North America September 24, 2002, Europe September 27, Australia October 15 (Take-Two's official press release and Wikipedia agree). One discrepancy to note: the Steam store page lists July 31, 2002, which conflicts with the mainstream record; this site uses late September throughout. Also, Metacritic indexes the game at September 25, 2002."

Q: "Q: What versions exist, and what do they cost?"

"The versions currently on sale:"

Q: "Q: Should I buy HD or the Definitive Edition?"

"Budget buyers should take HD — $9.99 list, about $2 on sale, includes Extreme content, and holds 97% positive on Steam (6,245 reviews). Consider the Definitive Edition for a modernized experience (20 AI lords, new units, bigger maps, co-op multiplayer). Core gameplay is identical in both."

Q: "Q: What's the relationship between the original and Extreme?"

"Stronghold Crusader Extreme is the 2008 enhancement: the unit cap rises from 1,000 to 10,000, adding tactical powers (like Arrow Volley), buildings such as the Outpost, new AI and maps, and an exclusive trail. It adds no new unit types. Extreme's reception was poor (Metacritic 45/100, IGN 4.8/10), and the HD Edition already bundles it as bonus content — no separate purchase needed."

Q: "Q: Does this game have achievements?"

"No. Neither the original nor the HD Edition has an achievements category on Steam; the conclusion \"the 2002 original has no achievements\" is verified. For achievement experiences on newer versions like the Definitive Edition, defer to the official store page — this site won't speculate."

Q: "Q: What platforms is it available on?"

"Primarily Windows PC; the HD Edition ships via Steam with Mac and Linux support. The original was published in 2002 by Gathering of Developers (a Take-Two label); the HD Edition and later releases are self-published by developer Firefly Studios."

Q: "Q: How does multiplayer connect?"

"Multiplayer supports 2-8 players. In the original era, the protocols were IPX, TCP/IP, and modem direct-dial; today's HD Edition matches through the third-party service GameRanger. The Definitive Edition adds co-op multiplayer."

Q: "Q: Is multiplayer still active?"

"The community is small but stable, with matches usually organized through GameRanger rooms. See Multiplayer."

Q: "Q: Which mode should beginners start with?"

"Start with the first of the four historical campaigns (the First Crusade) — its gentle curve teaches the economy, army-building, and siege systems in sequence. Entry points are in the Beginner's Guide."

Q: "Q: Do market prices fluctuate? Can I profit by buying low and selling high?"

"No. The market uses fixed quotes: sell prices are always below buy prices by a fixed spread, with no supply-driven curves; the Market (5 wood) has infinite stock. Its proper use is balancing surpluses and shortfalls, not arbitrage (see Economy)."

This page collects common questions about buying, versions, and mechanics, with every answer grounded in verified facts; anything unverifiable is labeled as such.

Versions and Buying#

Q: When did this game come out?#

A: The mainstream record is late September 2002 — North America September 24, 2002, Europe September 27, Australia October 15 (Take-Two’s official press release and Wikipedia agree). One discrepancy to note: the Steam store page lists July 31, 2002, which conflicts with the mainstream record; this site uses late September throughout. Also, Metacritic indexes the game at September 25, 2002.

Q: What versions exist, and what do they cost?#

A: The versions currently on sale:

Version	List price	Notes
HD Edition	$9.99 USD	Includes both Crusader and Extreme; sales drop it to ~$1.99-$2.99 (-80%)
Definitive Edition	$19.99 USD	The remake released July 15, 2025

Older guides saying “usually priced between $10-20” are inaccurate: the HD list price is $9.99 and sales take it under $3. Chinese-region RMB pricing is unverified on this site — defer to the Steam store page.

Q: Should I buy HD or the Definitive Edition?#

A: Budget buyers should take HD — $9.99 list, about $2 on sale, includes Extreme content, and holds 97% positive on Steam (6,245 reviews). Consider the Definitive Edition for a modernized experience (20 AI lords, new units, bigger maps, co-op multiplayer). Core gameplay is identical in both.

Q: What’s the relationship between the original and Extreme?#

A: Stronghold Crusader Extreme is the 2008 enhancement: the unit cap rises from 1,000 to 10,000, adding tactical powers (like Arrow Volley), buildings such as the Outpost, new AI and maps, and an exclusive trail. It adds no new unit types. Extreme’s reception was poor (Metacritic 45/100, IGN 4.8/10), and the HD Edition already bundles it as bonus content — no separate purchase needed.

Q: Does this game have achievements?#

A: No. Neither the original nor the HD Edition has an achievements category on Steam; the conclusion “the 2002 original has no achievements” is verified. For achievement experiences on newer versions like the Definitive Edition, defer to the official store page — this site won’t speculate.

Platforms and Multiplayer#

Q: What platforms is it available on?#

A: Primarily Windows PC; the HD Edition ships via Steam with Mac and Linux support. The original was published in 2002 by Gathering of Developers (a Take-Two label); the HD Edition and later releases are self-published by developer Firefly Studios.

Q: How does multiplayer connect?#

A: Multiplayer supports 2-8 players. In the original era, the protocols were IPX, TCP/IP, and modem direct-dial; today’s HD Edition matches through the third-party service GameRanger. The Definitive Edition adds co-op multiplayer.

Q: Is multiplayer still active?#

A: The community is small but stable, with matches usually organized through GameRanger rooms. See Multiplayer.

Mechanics#

Q: Which mode should beginners start with?#

A: Start with the first of the four historical campaigns (the First Crusade) — its gentle curve teaches the economy, army-building, and siege systems in sequence. Entry points are in the Beginner’s Guide.

Q: Do market prices fluctuate? Can I profit by buying low and selling high?#

A: No. The market uses fixed quotes: sell prices are always below buy prices by a fixed spread, with no supply-driven curves; the Market (5 wood) has infinite stock. Its proper use is balancing surpluses and shortfalls, not arbitrage (see Economy).

Q: How does population grow?#

A: Two conditions: popularity above 50 (the dividing line — below 50 people leave) and housing capacity — a Hovel costs 6 wood and houses about 8 people, while the keep starts with roughly 8-12 capacity. See Population and Economy.

Q: Is there a “hero recruitment” system?#

A: No. There is no hero recruitment, hero building, or hero unlock mechanic. The closest thing to “heroes” is the AI Lords — enemy commanders who cannot be recruited. Earlier web sources and our own old page describing a “hero system” were misinformation; see Heroes (AI Lord Compendium).

Q: What units are in the game?#

A: Two tracks totaling 14 regular units plus engineer types: 7 European combat units (Spearman, Archer, Maceman, Crossbowman, Pikeman, Swordsman, Knight) + 3 engineer types (Engineer, Laddermen, Tunneler); 7 Arabian mercenaries (Slaves 5 gold, Slingers 12, Assassins 60, Arabian Bowmen 75, Horse Archers 80, Arabian Swordsmen 80, Fire Throwers 100). Per-unit analysis is in Arabian Units and Crusader Units.

Q: How many missions does the campaign have?#

A: Four historical campaigns (the First, Second, and Third Crusades plus the Crusader States civil war) + the 50-mission Crusader Trail + 30 extra Warchest missions (numbered 51-80). The official line on skirmish is “over 100 unique skirmish missions.” There is no structure of “two 100-mission trails totaling 110” — that claim is misinformation. See Campaign Guide.

Reception and the Series#

Q: How well is it regarded?#

A: Metacritic critics score 78/100 (14 outlets); users score 8.9/10 (485 ratings); the HD Edition holds 97% positive on Steam (6,245 reviews, Overwhelmingly Positive). Steady with critics, beloved by players — an evergreen of 2002 RTS.

Q: How did it sell?#

A: At least 100,000 units in the US (per Edge magazine); the Stronghold series sold 590,000 in the US through the 2000s (as of August 2006); Firefly’s lifetime series sales exceed 13 million; the Definitive Edition sold 250,000 in three weeks.

Q: Is there a sequel?#

A: Stronghold Crusader 2 launched September 23, 2014, continuing the lord-vs-lord core. Additionally, the Definitive Edition (July 15, 2025) is the game’s HD remake.

Q: How does it relate to the first Stronghold?#

A: This is the second mainline Stronghold, moving the original’s European castle setting to the Middle Eastern desert: it adds the Arabian mercenary system, AI lord duels, and water-source constraints on the economy. Guides for the original Stronghold are in our Stronghold section.

Uncompiled Content Notice#

Chinese-region RMB prices, current platform discounts, and Definitive Edition achievement/multiplayer details are unverified — this site speculates on none of them; defer to official store pages.

Beginner’s Guide — the onboarding route
Crusader Extreme — Extreme Edition details
Multiplayer — online details
Achievements and Trophies — the no-achievements explanation