Fans of Stronghold will be happy to hear that FireFly will once again be taking them back to the Middle Ages with a new castle-building strategy game.  The new game is based on the original, but is a stand alone game instead of an expansion, so if you missed playing the original you can still try your hand at castle management.

The game is called Stronghold Crusader, and, as the name implies, it moves the action from Western Europe to the Middle East at the time of the Crusades.  As in the original, you'll be able to play as a Medieval Lord and have the opportunity to build and defend castles, as well as to lead sieges of enemy fortresses.  This time around, though, you'll also have the opportunity to play as an Arab Sultan.

Like in the original game, players must develop a thriving economy in order to create an army and build a castle to keep enemies at bay.  The economy in the game closely models a true Medieval economy - for example, before you can recruit archers, you'll need woodcutters to gather lumber and then fletchers to make arrows.  Unlike the first Stronghold, though, Crusader does not separate the game into economic and military focused campaigns.  This time around the two aspects of the game are more tightly integrated into its four campaigns that let you lead either the forces of Richard the Lionhearted or Saladin, the Sultan of Syria.

The change of location from Europe to the Middle East will necessitate a change in strategy in Crusader.  Resources will not be as plentiful, and will be concentrated near oases, leading to fierce competition for strategic points on the maps.  Water will be as valuable as gold, needed to sustain life and put out any fires started by attacking enemies.  Capturing and fortifying the high ground will take a back seat to securing and holding a water source.

You can also expect a whole host of new units in Crusader.  Teutonic knights and grenadiers will square off against assassins, horse archers, and Arabian swordsmen - for a total of over 25 units in the game.  To back these units up you'll have access to a number of siege weapons including fire ballista, siege towers, mangonels, and powerful trebuchets.  

To defend your keep against this host of new warriors and siege engines, you'll be able to deploy a variety of defenses.  Passive defenses include your standard moats and pit traps, while more exotic defenses such as boiling oil and Greek fire will allow you to put the hurt on your attackers.  As you can imagine, the wide array of units and defenses to counter them can lead to some pitched and fierce siege battles.

In addition to the campaign game, you'll be able to play in a straight skirmish mode against computer-controlled lords or up to seven other people.  If you're more of the builder type, Crusader has you covered.  There will be a free-build mode that will allow you to build the castle of your dreams without having to worry about a rival lord coming by and damaging your masterpiece.

Look for Stronghold Crusader in the Summer of 2002.