Choose Stronghold Crusader HD (2012)
Choose Stronghold Crusader HD (2012) if you want the Multi-player, Online PvP, and PvP side of the pairing. 6,146 Steam reviews back the pick.
Stronghold Crusader HD (2012) vs Hex Defense
Stronghold Crusader HD (2012) and Hex Defense both land in Strategy, Simulation on Steam, which is why they keep getting compared. The comparison below is built from each game's Steam metadata — release year, genres, categories, Steam Deck status, price, and review score — refreshed daily by imho.run's scraper. Headline differences: Both share Strategy, Simulation on Steam. Stronghold Crusader HD (2012) (2013) is 6 years older than Hex Defense (2019). Stronghold Crusader HD (2012) scores higher on Steam reviews (97.3% positive) than Hex Defense (50% positive). No login or purchase needed — scroll for the full table, the verdict FAQ, and links to ranked similar games for both titles.
Which should you pick?
Choose Hex Defense
Choose Hex Defense if you want an Action and Casual game with Steam Leaderboards, Tracked Controller Support, and VR Only. On Steam, it's currently about 20% cheaper on the Steam Store. Hex Defense launched in 2019.
Both Stronghold Crusader HD (2012) and Hex Defense sit in Strategy and Simulation on Steam, so either pick lands in the same broad neighborhood. Use the side-by-side table for the feature view, or follow the "Games like" links below to see ranked alternatives for either title.
Side-by-side comparison
 Stronghold Crusader HD (2012) |  Hex Defense | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2013 | 2019 |
| Genres | Strategy, Simulation | Action, Strategy, Simulation, Casual |
| Platforms | Windows | Windows |
| Steam Deck | Deck Playable | Unrated |
| Price | 9.99 USD | 7.99 USD |
| Steam reviews | 97.3% positive (6,146 reviews) | 50% positive (12 reviews) |
| Multiplayer | Multi-player | Single-player only |
| Developers | Firefly Studios | Patagoniart |
Side by side
- Both share Strategy, Simulation on Steam.
- Stronghold Crusader HD (2012) (2013) is 6 years older than Hex Defense (2019).
- Stronghold Crusader HD (2012) scores higher on Steam reviews (97.3% positive) than Hex Defense (50% positive).
- Hex Defense is currently ~20% cheaper on Steam than Stronghold Crusader HD (2012) (7.99 USD vs. 9.99 USD).
- Stronghold Crusader HD (2012) is Deck Playable on Steam Deck; Hex Defense has no Deck rating yet.
Stronghold Crusader HD (2012) vs Hex Defense — FAQ
- Should I play Stronghold Crusader HD (2012) or Hex Defense first?
- If you want chronology, Stronghold Crusader HD (2012) (2013) came out before Hex Defense (2019). If neither is a sequel to the other, order doesn't really matter — start with whichever fits your current mood, since both share enough on Steam to make either a reasonable opener.
- Are Stronghold Crusader HD (2012) and Hex Defense similar?
- They overlap on Strategy, Simulation on Steam, so the catalogue groups them together — but "similar" depends on the specific mechanics. Use the genre + category rows above to decide whether the overlap matches what drew you to the one you've already played.
- Does Hex Defense have multiplayer like Stronghold Crusader HD (2012)?
- No. Stronghold Crusader HD (2012) supports multiplayer on Steam (Multi-player), while Hex Defense is listed as single-player only.
- Does Stronghold Crusader HD (2012) run on Steam Deck?
- Yes — Stronghold Crusader HD (2012) is rated Deck Playable by Valve. Hex Defense doesn't have a Deck rating yet, so its Deck behaviour is currently unverified.