Simulation · November 7, 2023

Stronghold: Definitive Edition (2023)

trophy30 achievementsextension2 DLClocal_offer-70% current discountgroup1M–10M ownerstrending_up236 peak concurrentrecommend9.1k recommendations
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. Welcome to the fractured, war-torn frontier of medieval England. With the King betrayed by his treacherous lords and a realm on the brink of collapse, take control of scattered forces and reunite your kingdom against the monstrous Rat, Pig, Snake and Wolf! Strike down each villainous Lord in missions ranging from breaking sieges and capturing enemy castles to building epic fortresses and repelling enemy assaults. Test the limits of your strategic mind with castle assaults and grand banquets in military and economic campaigns. Dive into classic RTS and city builder gameplay now elevated with remade graphics, community requested features and remastered music from series maestro Robert L. Euvino. Gather resources, construct mighty castles, protect your townsfolk, manage your gold, raise armies and wage all out war! 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 in search of Sir Longarm's captured kin, before venturing beyond the story in a challenging new historical 'Castle Trail' of 10 unique scenarios. With remade artwork, a higher fidelity soundtrack, full Steam multiplayer support for 8 players, Steam Workshop, modernised gameplay and more, Stronghold: Definitive Edition is the ultimate way to experience the game that started it all. Your kingdom awaits! 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 Snake in a challenging new 14 mission campaign. BATTLE OLD FRIENDS on Steam with 8 player 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 fresh recordings from some of the game's original voice actors. CREATE, SHARE & ENJOY new Stronghold community content with Steam Workshop support.

Localization Coverage

Interface / Subtitles (12)

  • English volume_up
  • French volume_up
  • Italian volume_up
  • German volume_up
  • Spanish - Spain volume_up
  • Czech
  • Hungarian
  • Japanese
  • Korean
  • Polish volume_up
  • Portuguese - Brazil volume_up
  • Russian volume_up

Full audio (9)

  • English
  • French
  • Italian
  • German
  • Spanish - Spain
  • Polish
  • Portuguese - Brazil
  • Russian
  • Ukrainian

Community Tag Signals

Tag weights reflect how many Steam users voted each descriptor — larger pills = stronger consensus.

  • City Builder · 309
  • Strategy · 299
  • Real Time Tactics · 294
  • Medieval · 264
  • Sandbox · 244
  • Building · 238
  • Colony Sim · 236
  • RTS · 234
  • Economy · 233
  • Base-Building · 227
  • Tower Defense · 226
  • 2D · 217
  • Isometric · 215
  • Historical · 209
  • Simulation · 198

Position in Simulation

MetricThis titleGenre position
Review volume8.7k Steam reviewsTop 39% in Simulation
Positive rating86% positiveGenre average: 79% — this title sits in top 41%
Metacritic80/100Genre average 75 — top 35% of Simulation titles
Concurrent peak236 playersTop 43% in Simulation by live player count
Engagement hours9 h averageTop 85% for session depth among Simulation

Peer Simulation titles

Comparable titles in the same genre and review-volume band — ranked by Steam positive percentage.

Simulation releases from 2023

18 Simulation titles launched in 2023 — top 6 by review volume.

Features & Capabilities

Multiplayer

  • Multi-player
  • PvP
  • Online PvP

Community

  • Steam Achievements
  • Steam Trading Cards
  • Steam Workshop

Accessibility

  • Adjustable Difficulty
  • Playable without Timed Input

Input & Comfort

  • Custom Volume Controls

Other

  • Single-player
  • Mouse Only Option
  • Save Anytime

Reception Metrics

Steam community

86%Very Positive · 8.7k reviews

7.5k positive · 1.2k negative

Metacritic

80/100 critic aggregate

Open Metacritic page

Curator recommendations

9.1k

Peak concurrent players

236

More from Firefly Studios

Firefly Studios has 9 titles indexed — top 6 by review volume below.

Press Quotes

“With upgraded visuals, rebuilt audio for the score and voice acting, a whole new campaign and various other additions, it would certainly seem like a fort that’s been restored to old glory.” 9/10 – Finger Guns “Nostalgic charm meets sensible modernization, perfect for newcomers and returnees.” 85/100 – 4Players “Firefly's goal with the Definitive Edition of the classic isn't just to satisfy old fans. No, Stronghold should of course also appeal to potential new fans and get them excited about…

Engagement Profile

All-time avg

9h

short (5–15 hours)

Median

5h

Typical completion time

2-week avg

0h

Current engagement

Achievements

30

Steam unlocks available

Release & Availability

Release dateNov 7, 2023
DeveloperFirefly Studios
Base price$4.49 -70%
DLC / Add-ons2 released
PlatformsWindows
Estimated owners1M–10M
External linksOfficial site · Metacritic page · Support

Editions & Packages

  • Buy Stronghold: Definitive Edition