Stronghold: Definitive Edition to Update the Classic RTS with New Visuals, Missions, More

Time to once again play king of the castle, as the acclaimed 2001 real-time strategy game Stronghold is following the likes of Age of Empires and getting a fancy Definitive Edition. For those unfamiliar, Stronghold casts players as a medieval lord and tasks them with managing their kingdom’s economy, building castles, and defending said castles from invasion. In the years since release, the game has spawned quite the extensive array of sequels, spinoffs, and related games.

According to longtime servies developer Firefly Studios, Stronghold: Definitive Edition will feature updated HD visuals (which still retain the charming look of the originals), additional missions, easy-to-launch Steam multiplayer, and more. You can check out a quick trailer for Stronghold: Definitive Edition, below.

Yup, that looks like Stronghold! But it’s nice to have the game modernized for 2023. Here’s a bit more detail about the Definitive Edition…

“Relive the glory of Stronghold, the original BAFTA-nominated real-time strategy game, with this new definitive edition of the classic 'castle sim'. Witness the game that started it all, carefully rebuilt using the source artwork, remastered music, returning voice talent and veteran developers of the first entry in this legendary series.

Building on its 20 year legacy, Stronghold: Definitive Edition features two classic campaigns told across 26 missions, alongside fresh single player content in the form of a new narrative campaign designed by Firefly Studios founders Simon Bradbury and Eric Ouellette. Exclusive to the definitive edition, this new 14 mission campaign sees players march across the devastated English hinterland.”

• Zoom into new visuals remade by the original artists with improved animations, textures and lighting.
• Rematch classic villains as you hunt The Rat and The Pig in a challenging new 14 mission campaign.
• Battle old friends online with full Steam multiplayer support and extra maps on which to wage war!
• Relive history in a new Castle Trail with 10 challenging siege scenarios and famous historical fortresses.
• Lose yourself in a remastered soundtrack, with new recordings from the game's original voice actors.
• Create, share & enjoy new Stronghold community content with Steam Workshop support.

Stronghold: Definitive Edition marches onto PC (via Steam) on November 7. What do you think? Will you be strongarmed into playing the new Stronghold?

Written by Nathan Birch