Since high school, I’ve been a fan of a strategy action role-playing video game. I do play Wasteland 3, Star Renegades, Expeditions: Vikings, Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus, Star Traders: Frontiers, Disgaea V Complete, Banner Saga 3, Vlakyria Chronicles 4, Fell Seal: Arbiter’s Mark, and Divinity Original Sin 2. 

Mount and Blade 2: Bannerlord is a great addition to my collection. When announced in 2012, I was ecstatic. From then on, I always read news online on Mount and Blade 2: Bannerlord. In 2016, the developer created a steam page for the game, which I loved. In 2017, TaleWorlds started releasing developer diaries, which I watched/read.

After years of waiting, TaleWorlds finally released an early access version of Mount and Blade 2: Bannerlord, reaching and exceeding my expectations as a player. 

If you’re a big fan of a strategy action role-playing video game, I’d highly recommend Mount and Blade 2: Bannerlord. Here’s what I like about the medieval role-playing game that you would also enjoy: 

The interface is good 

Unlike Mount & Blade: Warband, this prequel from TaleWorlds Entertainment has better graphics. But both the characters and other items on battle maps and towns are a bit unresponsive and imprecise that the developer should look into. 

Some players find the design decisions weird. You need to wait for three loading screens, from initiating a battle, speaking to the enemy commander to loading back into the map. While some gamers are a bit disappointed with the interface, I also understand TaleWorlds Entertainment. For me, they have developed another good game.

Intense gameplay 

Since I have tried Mount & Blade: Warband, I find Bannerlord’s gameplay comfortable. I just have to ride around the countryside while fighting enemies and gaining equipment. There’s a variety of missions to expect down the road. 

I love when I need to escort a caravan, hunt down poachers, resolve a blood feud, and sell merchant’s wares in town. That’s not all! The ambiguity and worldbuilding are also interesting. 

Six playable factions have a rich style of fighting, backstory, and personality 

You might get disappointed with the interface. But don’t ignore the six playable factions. Generally, worldbuilding in Bannerlord is pretty neat. You can recruit troops you want, join any faction you wish, avail a small campaign bonus, build structures quickly, and avoid movement penalty along the way. 

The battlefield is more intense than we’ve expected

The hitboxes on weapons, for example, are realistic. All soldiers are no exception. The skills are superb. The authenticity is addicting. Yes, getting clean kills can be a headache for beginners. But once muscle memory and sense of timing are achieved, it’s going to be simple. 

Compared to Warband, the Battles in this prequel have better unit AI and smoother animations. The new command interface is easy to navigate and user-friendly. You can form a shield wall or skirmish with weapons like no other. 

How about the tactical options? Well, they are broad, enabling you to execute tactical choices without discomfort. 

New systems are available 

There are Kingdom and Clan screens you can only find in Bannerlord. The clan usually includes the player’s retainers or family. The Kingdom, on the contrary, allows gamers to set new tax laws. 

Is Mount and Blade: Bannerlord a good game? 

Of course! Bannerlord is a role-playing game you should try this 2020. Although there are still doors for improvement, its new features are outstanding without a doubt. 

If you have experienced playing Bannerlord, feel free to share your opinions about the game in the comment section below! We highly appreciate it!