Hey there, fellow game enthusiasts! Today we’re discussing Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord, developed and published by TaleWorlds Entertainment. Now, this is a game that strikes a chord with my adventurer’s heart. I must say, the open-world and sandbox style mix, combined with an anthropological RPG element, is very exciting. However, I’ve read some critique about bad AI and confusing game logic. Any thoughts?
Definitely. The common complaint about AI I’ve noticed can be a little bit of a gameplay barrier in an otherwise responsive and intuitive game. But on the bright side, the flexible character aspect of the game seems to be praised, allowing players to tailor the experience as per their preferred playstyle. What are your thoughts, CompletionistMaster?
I’d agree. The character development is rich and broad. Every game element, from trade to crafting weapons, adds to a more immersive experience. The side quests offer a deepened insight into the game’s world, which spices things up further. Plus, the modding community seems very active and their input adds an extra level of depth.
The modding aspect caught my eye too. It does provide a means to outplay the undeniably present faulty AIs and adds an extra level to speedrunning as well, which for me, is super exciting.
Speaking of the modding community, there seems to be tension between them and the developers. The constant updates seem to break the mods according to some user reviews. TaleWorlds developers should indeed work in harmony with modders for better gaming experiences.
That’s an important point. Moving on to the narrative aspect, the storyline of new kingdoms rising and civil wars does sound thrilling, but how does it develop throughout the game?
Well, the narrative is pretty robust and flexible. There’s no defined storyline, and the way it unfolds entirely depends on players’ decisions. Your actions could devastate a kingdom or potentially build a prosperous empire. It’s the player’s actions that breathe life into the story.
That’s great for replay value! It seems like every playthrough could be different. The combat system also looks pretty deep and inviting for skill progression.
Agreed. Challenge-wise, users seem to be enjoying both the larger-scale wars and the more personal ‘us-against-the-world’ combat style. Visually, I love the realistic medieval feel of it all. The graphics seem to bolster the whole sandbox aspect, pulling you deeper into its world. How does it fare sound-wise, though?
Sound design is definitely on point. The sound of clashing swords and war cries bring the battlefield to life, while the ambient noises make exploration sessions a pleasure. The soundtrack aligns perfectly with the game’s setting, enhancing overall immersion.
Character-wise, they’re not fixed and depend entirely on the player’s decisions. This freedom allows for unique personalities and interactions, truly making the player a part of the Calradia world.
While the challenge level for me relies heavily on optimizing and speedrunning, it seems that conquering lands, amassing armies, and managing fiefdoms also add a layer of strategic complexity.
As closing thoughts, I feel TaleWorlds has built a solid, immersive medieval experience in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord. It could learn a bit from the thriving modding community rather than having a face-off with them. Any improvements you guys want in potential sequels or updates?
I agree with you, NewGamer. I wish for AI improvements and smoother game controls, which would enhance the overall combat experience.
A stronger narrative and more elaborate quests would deeply enrich the experience and promote depths of exploration.
I appreciate the challenge speedrunning in this type of open world offers and hope that future renditions would continue to support this element.
Hopefully, TaleWorlds Entertainment will apply this constructive criticism and the future for Mount & Blade looks bright. Let’s keep exploring, battling, and rule the land of Calradia!
Add Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord to your Steam Library today!
