Automatic saving at very regular intervals and a single save slot remove the option of restarting before making important decisions or engaging in questionable battles, although any other method would have made many of the games exciting elements mute and pointless. Even on the lower difficulty settings the game is very cut-throat.
I probably restarted the campaign a dozen or so times before I felt confident that my starting tactics worked – which was quite easy to figure out after my 10th attempt at building an army and becoming a prisoner of my enemies. As your army size increases, you’ll need to find a regular supply of gold and supplies to pay and keep your army fed and in shape – failing to deliver on either element causes drops in morale that can literally see your troops abandon your side amidst a huge battle. And these mechanics are introduced thick and fast.īeginning as a single commander you’re tasked with building an army through recruiting trainees at various villages and towns, hiring stronger units at taverns or meeting other commander type units that can also level skills and weapon strengths in the same way as the main character. Outside of some text dialogue in various help menu’s there’s very little in regards to tutoring or aiding in the understanding of the complex mechanics involved in the political elements of the campaign mode. The lack of tunneling the player in any specific direction is one of the games most impressive assets but it also presents its own list of problems. Whether you choose to rise to power alone, through marriage or through the endorsement of various Lords and Kings, the characters you meet and the outcome of each potential scenario is nearly endless in possibilities and really creates a thoroughly entertaining and varied experience throughout the campaign. Many games boast a dynamic story but very few deliver it on the same level as Mount & Blade: Warband. There’s a host of characters, many cities and villages, and a huge world map to explore but there is a complete absence of linear story opportunities instead giving the player complete freedom of choice. The campaign itself doesn’t stick to the traditional elements of telling a story. It’s a nice touch and adds a little substance to the otherwise lacking personality of the main character, although I would have rathered the option of choosing the stats in a simpler form. Outside of influencing starting stats and faction location these choices don’t appear to have much of an impact. Launching the campaign prompts players to answer a variety of questions on their characters background and heritage before offering the option to customize the character with familiar sliders and aesthetic options. There’s a solid single-player campaign alongside a fan favorite online multiplayer skirmish mode, although I’ll get into that later. If you’re able to see past the aging graphics, Mount & Blade: Warband is home to a host of exciting features. I don’t consider graphics to be vital when creating a solid gaming experience but at first glance on the back of a packaged game, I could see many putting it right back on the shelf. Even for 6 years ago, the original release on PC, they wouldn’t be considered up to par. Despite obvious attempts to improve the graphics, it still feels incredibly dated. Sadly I think that’s where Mount & Blade: Warband is going to struggle. Promising to build on the strong foundations put in place by its predecessor Warband boasts an exciting array of new content including a deeper campaign mode, new combat animations, deeper progression in multiplayer and overhauled graphics – although if I’m honest you’ll probably struggle to notice the latter. Mount & Blade: Warband is the highly anticipated stand-alone expansion pack for the original Mount & Blade launch on PC. Overwhelmingly positive is the phrase used to describe Mount & Blade: Warband’s release on Steam but with 6 long years under its belt was it left a little too late to bring to the PlayStation 4? Check out our Mount & Blade: Warband PlayStation 4 review for the lowdown on TaleWorlds war-torn epics debut on console.