Stronghold Crusader II
{{Short description|2014 video game}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}{{Use British English|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Stronghold Crusader II
| image = StrongholdCrusader2 BoxArt.jpg
| developer = Firefly Studios
| publisher = Firefly Studios
| producer = Paul Harris
| designer = Simon Bradbury
| programmer = Matt de Villiers
Tony DeLibero
| artist = Benjamin Lloyd Thomas
| writer = Simon Bradbury
| composer = Robert L. Euvino
| series = Stronghold
| engine = Vision
| genre = Real-time strategy
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
| platforms = Windows
| released = 23 September 2014 {{cite web |url=http://www.strongholdcrusader2.com/?p=769 |title=Release Date Announced |date=2014-05-27 |access-date=2014-05-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140527212539/http://www.strongholdcrusader2.com/?p=769 |archive-date=2014-05-27 }}
}}
Stronghold Crusader II is a 2014 real-time strategy video game developed and published by Firefly Studios for Windows. A spin-off of the Stronghold series, it is the sequel to their 2002 title Stronghold: Crusader.
Gameplay
= Features =
File:Stronghold Crusader 2, screenshot from E3, June 2013.jpgThe game is the first of the Crusader series to feature a 3D graphics engine, but does not retain all of the elements of the original 2D game while adding new features such as "new units like the cruel Slave Driver, new beefed up AI opponents, dynamic on-map events like the Locust Swarm",{{cite web |url=http://www.thesixthaxis.com/2012/08/30/stronghold-crusader-2-and-the-quest-for-the-holy-crowdfund/ |title=Stronghold Crusader 2 and the Quest for the Holy Crowdfund |publisher=Thesixthaxis.com |date=2012-08-30 |accessdate=2013-01-04 |archive-date=6 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006071730/http://www.thesixthaxis.com/2012/08/30/stronghold-crusader-2-and-the-quest-for-the-holy-crowdfund/ |url-status=live }} as well as "new visuals, a new battle interface, and engine enhancements including effects, animations, and real-time physics."{{cite web |url=http://www.vg247.com/2012/08/30/stronghold-crusader-2-announced-coming-late-2013/ |title=Stronghold Crusader 2 announced, coming late 2013 |publisher=Vg247.com |date=2012-08-30 |accessdate=2013-01-04 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303201252/http://www.vg247.com/2012/08/30/stronghold-crusader-2-announced-coming-late-2013/ |url-status=live }} A brand new feature to the series is co-op multiplayer, in which 2 players take control of a single castle to share units and resources while fighting against common enemies.{{cite web |url=http://www.co-optimus.com/article/10348/e3-2013-stronghold-cruasder-2-eyes-on-impressions.html |title=E3 2013 - Stronghold Crusader 2 Eyes On Impressions |publisher=Co-Optimus |date=2013-06-12 |accessdate=2013-06-19 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303181439/http://www.co-optimus.com/article/10348/e3-2013-stronghold-cruasder-2-eyes-on-impressions.html |url-status=live }} Crusader II will feature both a Crusader and Arabic historical single player campaign at launch.{{cite web |url=http://www.rtsguru.com/game/501/article/6698/Stronghold-Crusader-2-Getting-Arabic-Campaign-at-Launch.html |title=Stronghold Crusader 2 Getting Arabic Campaign at Launch |date=2013-10-24 |access-date=2013-12-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214013811/http://www.rtsguru.com/game/501/article/6698/Stronghold-Crusader-2-Getting-Arabic-Campaign-at-Launch.html |archive-date=2013-12-14 }} The game will mainly be based around skirmish gameplay, similar to the original Stronghold Crusader title.{{cite web |url=http://www.incgamers.com/2012/09/building-a-sequel-fireflys-blueprint-for-stronghold-crusader-2-interview/ |title=Building a sequel: Firefly's blueprint for Stronghold: Crusader 2 |publisher=IncGamers.com |date=2012-09-05 |accessdate=2013-01-04 |archive-date=10 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110235843/http://www.incgamers.com/2012/09/building-a-sequel-fireflys-blueprint-for-stronghold-crusader-2-interview |url-status=live }} This will include, as with the original Stronghold Crusader, skirmish trails; in which players need to fight through linked skirmish maps with different set-ups in a particular order.{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ip_YaOsmMuc |title=Stronghold Crusader 2 - Community Q&A Part 3 |publisher=fireflyworlds |date=2013-07-11 |accessdate=2013-10-12 |archive-date=11 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140111030033/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ip_YaOsmMuc |url-status=live }} The game is expected to be based more on warfare with little but substantial government.
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= Extras =
As with previous titles in the series, there is a full map editor for users to create and share custom maps for the game.{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z821fPTNuE4 |publisher=fireflyworlds |title=Stronghold Crusader 2 - Community Q&A Part 2 |date=2013-06-27 |accessdate=2013-10-12 |archive-date=8 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140608111539/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z821fPTNuE4 |url-status=live }} Robert Euvino, who worked on previous titles in the series, composed an all new soundtrack for the game.{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_wj63ZvsD4 |publisher=fireflyworlds |title=Stronghold Crusader 2 - Community Q&A Part 5 |date=2013-09-19 |accessdate=2013-10-12 |archive-date=5 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140105152039/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_wj63ZvsD4 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1H2BTadifo |publisher=fireflyworlds |title=Stronghold Crusader 2 - Music and Sound FX |date=2013-09-10 |accessdate=2013-10-12 |archive-date=6 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206194532/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1H2BTadifo |url-status=live }}
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Critical reception
{{Video game reviews
| MC = 65/100{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/stronghold-crusader-2/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|title = Stronghold: Crusader II|website = Metacritic}}
| PCGUS = 64/100{{Cite web|url = https://www.pcgamer.com/stronghold-crusader-2-review/|title = Stronghold Crusader 2 review|website = PC Gamer|date = 23 September 2014|access-date = 1 August 2018|archive-date = 10 June 2023|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230610103527/https://www.pcgamer.com/stronghold-crusader-2-review/|url-status = live}}
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The game received mixed to positive reviews on release, {{asof|2014|11|29|lc=y}} garnering an aggregated score of 66% on Metacritic, based on 28 critics' reviews. It has been praised for striking a good balance between the economic and military aspects of the game and staying true to the series and its strategy roots. Conversely, some critics labelled the latter as "nostalgia" and felt it lacking in some areas, in comparison to contemporary strategy titles.{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/stronghold-crusader-2/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|title=Stronghold Crusader II for PC Reviews|publisher=Metacritic|accessdate=2014-11-29}}
References
{{Reflist|2}}
External links
- [http://www.strongholdcrusader2.com Stronghold Crusader II official website]
{{Stronghold series}}
Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games
Category:Real-time strategy video games
Category:Video games with Steam Workshop support
Category:Video games developed in the United Kingdom
Category:Video games set in castles
Category:Video games set in the Crusades