Citadels is an action strategy game for PC in which players defend and expand fortresses during key events from the legend of King Arthur. The core experience centers on choosing sides in a conflict between Arthur's forces and a vast invading army, with the outcome depending on fortress construction, resource allocation, and battlefield tactics.
Gameplay
Players construct defensive structures such as ditches and palisades around their fortresses while positioning units to repel enemy waves. Resource management forms a central loop, requiring steady extraction of raw materials and production of supplies to sustain defenses and expand infrastructure. Battles feature realistic destruction where falling rubble and terrain features influence positioning and outcomes. A variety of unit types allow customization of armies, and completing objectives unlocks legendary characters that provide targeted advantages during sieges.
Strategy emerges from balancing immediate defensive needs against long-term growth. Poor resource decisions or misplaced structures can lead to rapid defeat, while effective combinations of walls, units, and production facilities turn the tide in prolonged engagements.
Game Modes
The game features two extensive campaigns that present the same historical events from opposing perspectives. One campaign follows King Arthur and his allies as they attempt to restore honor and glory to the Arthurian line. The other lets players command the invading army seeking to overthrow that reign. Each campaign unfolds through a series of sieges where players apply the same core systems of fortress building, unit deployment, and resource oversight, but with objectives and starting conditions tailored to the chosen side.
Progression in either campaign rewards completion of specific tasks with access to legendary characters. These heroes integrate into ongoing battles without altering the fundamental siege mechanics.
Strategic Depth and Progression
Victory hinges on integrating multiple systems rather than relying on any single element. Players must plan fortress layouts that account for enemy approach routes while maintaining supply lines for raw materials and unit production. Geographical conditions on each map add another layer, as certain terrain features can shield structures or expose them to rubble hazards during destruction sequences.
Unlocking legendary characters through targeted objectives provides incremental edges, such as improved unit performance or defensive bonuses, without changing the overall pace of sieges. The campaigns encourage repeated playthroughs to experiment with different combinations of structures and units.
Is It Worth Playing?
Citadels delivers a focused single-player strategy experience built around fortress defense and resource decisions in an Arthurian setting. Its two campaigns offer distinct viewpoints on the same conflict, allowing players to explore both offensive and defensive approaches within the same mechanical framework.
The title received no further patches after January 2014 and carries no ongoing updates or additional content. Those interested in older PC strategy games centered on siege management and base-building loops may find value in its systems, particularly if they prefer campaigns that emphasize planning over real-time action. Players seeking active development or multiplayer features will encounter a title that has remained unchanged for more than a decade.
