Deal | Popular 2025 RTS remaster is now cheaper than ever on Steam

When it comes to classic real-time strategy games, Stronghold is almost impossible to ignore. For many fans, however, it is the 2002 sequel Stronghold Crusader that stands out the most, moving the action from medieval Europe to the deserts of the Middle East. After the original game returned as a remaster in 2023, Stronghold Crusader received the same treatment in July 2025 with the Definitive Edition – and it is now cheaper on Steam than ever before. According to SteamDB, the first-ever 40% discount lowers the price from around $20 to roughly $12. The offer won't be around much longer, though, as it expires tomorrow, July 9, at 10:00 a.m. PDT.

In terms of gameplay, the Definitive Edition stays true to the classic castle-building formula. Its appeal still lies in the mix of city-building and real-time siege warfare. Players chop wood, quarry stone, bake bread and build up their economy before raising walls, towers and defenses from the desert sand. They can protect their own stronghold with archers, towers and pitch ditches, or try to conquer enemy castles with swordsmen, cavalry and catapults.

The Definitive Edition not only updates the visuals and adds quality-of-life features such as smooth zoom and an automated marketplace, but also comes with a range of new content. That includes new skirmish trails, additional maps, fresh Bedouin units, new AI lords and a cooperative mission trail. German gaming magazine PC Games called Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition a successful remaster and awarded it 8 out of 10 points. However, players should not expect a complete technical overhaul. According to the review, both the visuals and the technology still show the game’s age.

The reception has been strong overall. On Steam, the game has received more than 11,000 user reviews with a very positive average rating of 92%. On Metacritic, critics give the polished-up RTS a Metascore of 80, while players award it a User Score of 8.5. The game is also rated as “Playable” on Steam Deck. As we have previously found, strategy games can work surprisingly well on Valve’s handheld.

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