Mount and Blade Warband is one unique game. It combines many great ideas and plugs them into one great project. This game has given gamers the ability to craft huge armies and collide them head to head. Bigger battles, however, means worse graphics.
Mount and Blade Warband allows you to create a whole medieval empire and crush enemies in huge battles with hundreds of characters. From building your army to marrying fair maidens, this game seems so natural and complex. You don’t even have to create your own empire. You can become a vassal to an existing kingdom and rank up to become the king’s loyal friend.
Customization is a huge part of Mount and Blade Warband. From the color of your hair to the type of horse and armor you use, all of it can be chosen yourself. The ability to select your backstory is extremely interesting, and it decides how other characters treat you. The character creation is lacking, though. The complex sliders make it hard to create a character that resembles you. On the other hand, it’s easy to create a silly character with odd proportions.
The customization goes beyond just your character. When you capture your first castle or city, you will be able to decide your kingdom’s name and upgrade your territory by adding watchtowers and mills.
Building your army is simple yet enjoyable. You start by gathering peasants at villages, but they soon grow to become loyal knights who are more skilled than you. To build your army quickly, you may buy mercenaries who can save you in battle, but they will leave if they don’t get paid.
The battles in this game are wonderful. You are able to have hundreds of characters battling each other at once on huge open maps. Commanding your troops on the battlefield is easy. You can select which troop type to command and send them charging into battle or have them line up to defend the archers. Some battles can last really long, but winning them is extremely satisfying.
What isn’t satisfying is the graphics. Sadly, 200 player battles aren’t near as exciting in a game that looks 10 years older than it really is. On the bright side, the game runs beautifully. I could run this game at a constant 120 fps with no dips.
If you don’t have time to play the single-player, the multiplayer is just as incredible. Hacking the faces of your friends in massive sieges has never been so fun! The Napoleonic Wars DLC is even more amazing. The multiplayer itself is worth the price of the entire game.
Mount and Blade Warband deserves an 8/10. With the release of Mount and Blade 2: Bannerlord coming sometime soon, I hope they fix the ugly graphics and add new features such as co-op campaign and ship battles. This game deserves to be heard of! If you find this game in a Steam sale, buy it!
Graphics: 6/10
Gameplay: 9/10
Replayability: 9/10
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