Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord is a complex feudal simulator set in a dynamic sandbox world ruled by six medieval kingdoms that closely resemble our own culture. It features massive combat, deep character customization, action-based melee and ranged combat (mounted or mounted), a vibrant economy, and a strong sense of progression that is hard to stop. Translation: Imagine Crusader Kings’ Machiavellian interpersonal toybox combined with the crunchy combat of chivalry in combat on Total Warscale backed by his RPG mechanics in Skyrim.
Available on PC in Early Access starting in 2020, Bannerlord finally saw a full 1.0 release, jumping to consoles in the process. It’s the same incredible game, and when it matters (in combat) the transition to a controller feels great. and skewers even the unfortunate footman who happens to catch the end of the job.
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Bannerlord is not a game you “finish”. Rather, it’s the kind of self-driven exploration that lets you lose yourself, something uniquely ripe for medieval roleplaying (if you’re into that sort of thing). Throw away the fantastic setting of the title, there are no goblins or elves here.
Start by creating your characters, determining where they came from and what their upbringing was like. This has all sorts of mechanical implications, none of which bind you to a particular profession. It’s more of a direction than a directive. From there, you’ll be immersed in a frankly boring tutorial, with a chance to project some explanations before being unleashed in the larger world, with very little guidance.
Right off the bat, the game UI hits you, which is really bad. The transition from PC wasn’t easy, but the Mount & Blade series very PCs by their very nature have created a cottage industry of good mods themselves. And while it’s all manageable and you’ll put up with it, the convoluted way Bannerlord conveys information to players can be a deal-breaker for some.
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As you roam the Overworld, you come across people going about their lives. Farmers bringing their produce to market, caravans transporting goods between cities, lords patrolling with retinue, outlaws preying on the weak. You are free to get involved in all of them, but your actions have real consequences and you are very, very weak right now.
Slaughter the peasants, rob them of their goods, drive out bandits and live in their haunts. Or form your own caravan, buy low, sell high, and invest in local businesses to make a profit. Work as a mercenary, sell your sword for money and fame, and leave your guilt at your door. Or woo a wealthy lady (or lord) to join the inheritance line and become a man of means the old-fashioned way.
Whatever you do, engage in the activity the Skyrim way to rank the relevant skills. Swinging a sword makes you better at it and earns powerful perks with experience milestones. Many of them benefit the entire party.As you level up and gain fame and wealth, you can gather warrior retinues around you, recruited from nearby local villages and bustling cities. By earning fame on the bloody battlefields, participating in escalating skirmishes, fighting in pitched battles, and participating in brutal sieges, you can become a lord filled with your own castle and feudal estates. increase. Kings, even emperors.
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It’s a strategic world that we’ve found most appealing, but with the collection and management of our many lands, bombastic and gigantic battles are definitely the star of the show here. It’s an epic piece, and it captures the euphoria, claustrophobia, and chaos of a pre-gunpowder battle better than any game I’ve played. game of thrones The comparison is corny, but unfortunately appropriate in this case. Consider The Battle of the Bastards. Sometimes the quarters are so close you don’t even have room to swing your weapon, and you’re on the right track.
Combat is simple, but insanely satisfying. Basically, you can slash, stab, and attack with certain weapons (depending on the direction of movement), kick enemies off balance, and hit them with your shield to create openings. The genius is that every AI opponent on the battlefield has the exact same moveset and every action has real weight. This means that even if you’re at a high level and decked out in the finest plates gold can buy, a well-determined group of peasant spearmen can overwhelm a noble stag like a pack of wolves. It means that the weight of numbers can beat you.
There are many other possible reasons why Bannerlord is so addictive, and why no other game is quite like it, but it takes more (virtual) ink than ocean water. The complex nature of feudal dues and obligations, the lewd variety of weapons and armor (each uniquely modeled and represented in-game), the tactical aspects of commanding troops on the battlefield, the wide variety of Cultures, unique unit types and fighting styles, each with their own characteristics — the list goes on and on. Hold the citadel with a few trusted vassals while hordes of enemies outside smash down the doors, and face yourself, including carelessly recreating the final scene from the siege of Helms Deep. Don’t mind the floor moment you’ll do. At the desperate last moment before Gandalf arrives with his cavalry.
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Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord is a completely unique console experience that will keep you occupied for hundreds, if not thousands, of hours depending on your imagination. It’s rough around the edges and even ugly at times, but its scale and unparalleled sense of progression make it at least an obligation for every RPG fan to give it a try.