Deal | Steam: 2025 remaster of strategy legend drops below $14 for the first time (91% positive)

Released in 2002 as the second entry in Firefly Studios’ strategy series, Stronghold Crusader shifted the familiar medieval setting to the era of the Crusades. Over time, it became a cult classic – not for technical breakthroughs, but for its timeless, castle-building-focused gameplay. Players are tasked with constructing elaborate fortresses complete with walls, towers, traps, and defenses. These structures are not just for show – they must be strategically sound from a military perspective.

In combat, Crusader places less emphasis on sheer numbers and more on positioning and timing. Units such as archers, crusaders, and siege engines are most effective when used in coordination with the layout of a castle. At the same time, the game demands a well-balanced economy, requiring players to manage food supplies, raw materials, and weapon production with precision.

For years, fans had hoped for a polished version of the legendary strategy title. In July 2025, that wish finally came true: Firefly Studios released Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition, giving the 20-year-old classic a modern upgrade. The remaster features improved models, support for modern resolutions – including widescreen – a revamped user interface, and overall better stability on current hardware. A range of quality-of-life improvements has also been added. On top of that, the game introduces new content, such as additional skirmish opponents, new units, fresh maps, and expanded gameplay options.

The Stronghold Crusader remaster has been well received by both critics and players. Reviewers at German gaming magazine PC Games praised the noticeably improved visuals, added content, and much better overall usability, while noting that some of the new units suffered from balancing issues at launch. Ultimately, the game earned a score of 8 out of 10. On Metacritic, the Definitive Edition holds a Metascore of 80 and a User Score of 8.8. More than 9,000 Steam reviews have been posted so far, with 91% of them being positive.

Under $14 on Steam for the first time

Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition is normally priced at around $20 on Steam. Since its release roughly six months ago, it has only seen discounts of up to 25%. Now, for the first time, it is available at 30% off, bringing the price down to $13.99 until February 9. While the game is rated as “Playable” on the Steam Deck (available on Amazon for $660), the lack of native controller support may make the experience on handheld PCs challenging.

Disclaimer: Notebookcheck is not responsible for price changes carried out by retailers. The discounted price or deal mentioned in this item was available at the time of writing and may be subject to time restrictions and/or limited unit availability.