Additional Info
Blood
Violence
Hard drive space
Full download: 0.91 GB
Initial download: 0.57 GB
Download time
| Kb/s | 20 MB | 8 MB | 512 KB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time | 2mn | 7mn | 1h 52mn |
System Requirements
- Operating System: 2000/XP,
currently Vista testing - Processor: 300MHz
- OS: Windows
- RAM: 64MB
- Video RAM: 4MB
Copyright
© 2005 Take Two Interactive Software, Inc. All Rights Reserved. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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Overview
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Instructions & Tips
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Screenshots & Video
Basics
In Stronghold Crusader, you must manage Medieval settlements in Arabia. To do so, you will build, maintain and defend a series of bases from which you'll create the economic infrastructure necessary to bring your armies to bear against the enemy -- in this case, the Medieval Arabs under Saladin. Part real-time military strategy, part city and population management, Crusader's exotic setting makes it unique and challenging. Customizable skirmish missions and campaign play are both available.
Tutorial
Crusader includes an excellent tutorial that will guide you through the basics of interface, including building structures, setting tax and ration levels, managing peasants and gathering some resources. Just click the book icon in the main menu to launch it. The tutorial does not cover many aspects of Crusader, including much of the combat and economic intricacies found in the game. If you find yourself stumped even after the tutorial, play some standalone missions to experiment.
Settlements
Settlements are the key to victory. In each mission your first priority is to establish and defend a stable settlement. Your peasants will work the various industries you create, gathering resources and keeping the place running -- but you'll still need to keep an eye on the place. By placing structures, manipulating taxes and food rations and ensuring a strong defense, you'll be better prepared to face your enemies in the field.
People and Popularity
Peasants are your basic work unit. Being peasants, they'll take a lot of abuse before they turn on you -- you can impose cruel taxes, cut their meals and saddle them with a ton of work. But their happiness does directly affect your settlement's stability and profit, so tormenting the peasantry, however satisfying, is not a good long-term strategy. The best way to keep your settlement in hand is to maintain just the right population for your needs -- not too many or too few.
Combat
Of course, the Crusaders are invading a foreign land, so sooner or later you'll encounter resistance. This game also includes a rich real-time strategy element, dealing largely with besieging or defending strongholds and settlements. Saladin's people have unusual tactics and weaponry, while you command the best European chivalry has to offer. Combat in Crusader is best learned by doing, so try some skirmishes to learn the art of Medieval conquest.
Tip: Food Types
Peasants like to eat more than one type of food -- variety is the spice of life, after all. If they're stuck eating the same thing every day, eventually they'll get cranky.
Tip: Visibility
If you've lost a unit, or are having trouble seeing around structures, don't forget the Flatten and Peek commands available by right clicking anywhere in the main window and selecting the appropriate icon.
Tip: Sieges
It's not always viable to leave your army parked outside a town or castle that's clearly prepared to withstand a long siege. Be sure you have catapults and other equipment to breach the walls before you attack.
Tip: Mercenaries
You can round out your army with Arabian mercenaries on some missions -- use the enemy's units against them!
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