MORDHAU

Diving into Mordhau’s rich combat system and wealth of customization options is endlessly entertaining. A must play for anyone with a mind for the medieval.

81%Game Brain Score

gameplay, humor

stability, story

81% User Score Based on 72,090 reviews

Critic Score 80%Based on 11 reviews

Platforms

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About

MORDHAU is a single player and multiplayer hack and slash game with a historical theme. It was developed by Triternion and was released on April 29, 2019. It received positive reviews from both critics and players.

MORDHAU is a medieval first-person multiplayer slasher with various modes such as Frontline and Battle Royale. Players can create their own unique warrior with a multitude of weapons, armor, and customization options. The game features a realistic physics-based combat system that allows for dismemberment and decapitation, adding a layer of brutality to the battles.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

+15

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81%

Audience ScoreBased on 72,090 reviews

gameplay2.4k positive mentions

stability434 negative mentions

Mordhau features a unique blend of intense melee combat and humor, creating a chaotic yet enjoyable gameplay experience.
The game offers extensive character customization options and a deep combat system, providing high replayability and engaging multiplayer interactions.
The graphics and sound design are praised for their immersive quality, enhancing the overall atmosphere of the medieval setting.

The steep learning curve and unbalanced mechanics can be frustrating for new players, often leading to a toxic community experience.
The game suffers from significant stability issues, including bugs, glitches, and performance problems that detract from the overall enjoyment.
Many players find the grind-heavy progression system tedious, requiring extensive time investment to unlock content.

gameplay
6,666 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
56%
7%
The gameplay of Mordhau is characterized by its complex and skill-based melee combat mechanics, which offer a steep learning curve that can be both rewarding and frustrating for players. While many appreciate the depth and fluidity of the combat system, the game is often criticized for its unbalanced mechanics, particularly the exploitation of certain moves like drags and accelerations, which can overshadow genuine skill. Additionally, the community is noted for being toxic, making it challenging for new players to enjoy the experience without facing overwhelming competition from veterans.
- “Mordhau has great gameplay and a dynamic combat system, but the learning curve is steep and the chat is made up entirely of political shouting matches, people complaining about weapon balance, and edgy 14-year-olds spamming racist and/or homophobic slurs when they die.”
- “The gameplay is fun and deep with much more variety than simply swing and block, the customization is varied and alters how you play with light, medium, or heavy armor, and there are plenty of casual friendly servers for newer players.”
- “The core gameplay is solid and fun, but a few things distract from it: the community is filled to the brim with toxicity in the chat or in gameplay, and the gameplay can be brutally unforgiving, but equally rewarding.”
- “The core gameplay is based almost entirely on animation abuse and exploiting the fact that dragged attacks still do full damage even when the weapon is visibly stationary or at the very beginning of a swing animation; weapon momentum means nothing.”
- “Not recommended because the new player experience is quite bad; there are many mechanics that are frustrating for new players and they are not taught to you in the tutorial or anywhere in-game.”
- “The few who stay are highly skilled, sweaty, and overall unwelcoming to new players, who'd rather make the new player base feel bad for not understanding game mechanics than actually trying to better the community by offering support.”
humor
2,180 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The humor in "Mordhau" is a standout feature, with players frequently highlighting the game's chaotic and absurd moments that lead to laughter, such as unexpected deaths, funny voice lines, and the antics of other players. The community is described as a mix of friendly and toxic, often engaging in humorous interactions that enhance the gameplay experience. Overall, the game is praised for its ability to blend intense combat with a lighthearted atmosphere, making it a source of both frustration and hilarity.
- “Mordhau isn’t for casual button-mashers but if you love melee combat that feels intense, skillful, and hilariously chaotic, it’s one of the best medieval fighters out there.”
- “The gameplay is hilarious, fun, and competitive.”
- “Mordhau is a game about realistic medieval combat warfare, with a touch of humor to it.”
- “It is just not funny.”
- “Unfunny and not cool knight game.”
- “Their time is better spent on optimization rather than generic not funny jokes related to the toilet paper shortage.”
graphics
1,833 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
38%
3%
The graphics in "Mordhau" receive a mixed but generally positive reception, with many players praising the game's stunning visuals and attention to detail, particularly in character models and environments. While some users note that the graphics may not push the boundaries of modern gaming, they effectively create an immersive medieval atmosphere that enhances the gameplay experience. However, there are also mentions of performance issues and optimization challenges, particularly on lower-end systems, which can detract from the overall visual experience.
- “The graphics are stunning, with beautiful landscapes and intricate character designs.”
- “Mordhau immerses you into a graphically beautiful world with fantastic textures and an in-depth level of customization.”
- “The graphics are gorgeous, the sound design is excellent, and the gameplay is fun all around, bugs and all.”
- “The graphics are very mediocre, but it still runs poorly.”
- “The graphics look as though they are from 2012.”
- “The graphics, community, and the style of the game are great.”
optimization
744 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
46%
23%
The optimization of Mordhau has received mixed reviews from players. While some commend its solid performance and ability to run well on various setups, many others report significant issues such as stuttering, frame drops, and poor server performance, particularly in larger matches. Overall, while the game shows potential with good graphics and mechanics, it suffers from inconsistent optimization that detracts from the gameplay experience.
- “The game looks nice and the performance is superb.”
- “Game is very well optimized.”
- “The optimization is impressive—I’ve played on mid-range hardware with smooth performance, proving you don’t need a top-tier rig to enjoy this game.”
- “Performance is terrible with heavy stutters, connection issues, game froze & crashed 3 minutes into the match.”
- “The game is horrendously optimized.”
- “Optimization is garbage though.”
music
474 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
71%
5%
The music in Mordhau is a unique blend of medieval charm and modern absurdity, with players often using mods like Lutebot to play a wide variety of songs on lutes during battles. While the official soundtrack is generally considered serviceable but repetitive, the community's creativity shines through as bards entertain their teammates and distract enemies with meme songs and popular tunes. Overall, the music adds a whimsical layer to the chaotic combat, making it a memorable aspect of the game despite some criticisms regarding its variety and integration.
- “The community is very fun and doesn't take the game too seriously, with a bunch of bards just playing music around.”
- “You can use midis to play music with your lute and flute at the same time, and throw down some tasty jams while watching people cave each other's skulls in with medieval weaponry.”
- “It's not uncommon to find players just playing a lute while troops from both sides dance to the music, comprised entirely of the four notes you can play on a lute.”
- “The bard is playing the same 6 songs over and over that eventually just become background noise.”
- “What started off as a fun feature for players to port in midi files and play little songs on the battlefield is now just a tool that is constantly used to torture anyone actually trying to play your goddamned game.”
- “The music is catchy, but the very small variety (1 music track per map?) and its 'strong presence' nature makes it quite repetitive.”
stability
470 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
1%
92%
The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with players reporting numerous bugs, glitches, and crashes that significantly hinder gameplay. Many users describe the experience as frustrating due to issues like hit detection failures, server instability, and unresponsive controls, often leading to a perception of the game as unplayable. While some players find enjoyment in the chaotic nature of these glitches, the overall consensus is that the game requires substantial improvements in stability and optimization to enhance the player experience.
- “Game runs great for how detailed it can be.”
- “The graphics are great, it runs great, the mechanics are definitely there and better.”
- “Absolutely no glitches or game-breaking exploits as of release.”
- “The game is a buggy, unbalanced mess.”
- “This game is poorly designed, very buggy, and has trash controls; all worse than For Honor, which is just... wow.”
- “The game ends up looking like a buggy GMod addon where enemies hit you seemingly at random.”
monetization
418 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
73%
12%
The monetization aspect of the game is largely praised for its absence of microtransactions, allowing players to unlock all content through in-game currency earned by playing. Many reviews highlight the game's commitment to a fair progression system, where customization options and cosmetics are accessible without additional costs, contrasting sharply with the prevalent microtransaction models in modern gaming. However, some concerns are raised about potential future monetization strategies, as players express hope that the developers will maintain their current approach.
- “No microtransactions, just a deep learning curve and gorgeous graphics with highly customizable weapons and armor.”
- “The best thing about this game is that it has no microtransactions or DLC!”
- “No microtransactions and all equipment is earned with games played as it rewards playtime in matches over performance.”
- “With the added microtransactions, this would thrive as a free-to-play game; for ~30€, it does not offer enough.”
- “All in all, this game is basically just a cash grab on Chivalry, a game that even the original developers have abandoned and changed because they recognized the problems.”
- “The long promised and much-awaited eastern invasion expansion was an absolute joke, adding paltry little content, introducing microtransactions, and seems to have been a rushed emergency release to hold over the remaining players.”
story
407 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
71%
18%
The consensus among users is that the game lacks a traditional story or campaign mode, with many reviews explicitly stating "this game has no story." While some players appreciate the focus on multiplayer combat and player-driven experiences, others express a desire for a single-player narrative or more structured missions to enhance engagement. Overall, the game is primarily seen as a competitive multiplayer experience rather than a story-driven one.
- “Overall, Mordhau is a thrilling and rewarding medieval combat simulator that excels in depth, realism, and player-driven storytelling.”
- “Pure gold, part of me wishes there was a multiplayer campaign with a story that included the silliness of it all.”
- “Every match had been a battlefield, every skirmish a story.”
- “This game has no story.”
- “There is no single player campaign or story, and the option to play with bots is boring as it provides no challenge at all.”
- “The story at the start of the game is incredibly poor as it's hard to understand and confusing.”
grinding
321 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
16%
82%
Mordhau is frequently described as a grind-heavy experience, with many players noting that significant time investment is required to unlock weapons, armor, and cosmetics. While some find the grind rewarding and engaging, others feel it leads to a tedious and frustrating gameplay loop, especially for newcomers facing seasoned players. The game's progression system, while free of microtransactions, often demands extensive grinding, which can detract from the overall enjoyment for those with limited playtime.
- “Combat is excellent, graphics are pretty darn good, and the systems are easily achievable and not too grindy.”
- “Customization is really good and not too grindy.”
- “Very fun and fluent gameplay, you get everything for the low price of 25€ and there's no grinding or in-game transactions.”
- “Mordhau is fun for a minute then turns into a tedious slog.”
- “Armor upgrades, unlock new weapons and skill trees, it's just pure grinding.”
- “The character customization is the only reason I come back to this game at this point, and even that is a tedious grind because you have to get repeatedly defeated in PvP, grind out the horde mode, or host your own server if you want to avoid dealing with the no-lifers.”
replayability
126 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
49%
3%
Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, with many users highlighting the engaging multiplayer experience, deep combat mechanics, and extensive customization options. While some players note a steep learning curve and occasional issues with map variety, the consensus is that the game offers endless fun and replay value, making it a worthwhile investment for fans of the genre. However, a few reviews mention that the replayability may diminish over time without new content or updates.
- “The blend of tactical team play and individual skill makes the multiplayer experience highly replayable and rewarding.”
- “Mordhau offers a high level of replayability due to its deep and satisfying combat, wide range of weapons and armor, and various game modes.”
- “The customization in weapons is excellent, and while the head, chest, and leg armor slots only have a none, light, medium, or heavy option, each has tons of variants and of armor in their categories, and the trade-offs between agility, talents, and loadout makes for an experience with a lot of replayability and surprising amount of depth.”
- “Not fun, always a 5v1 and little replay value.”
- “In short, it is highly repetitive and the replay value is extremely low; I could recommend this game if it were at around a $15 price range or maybe $20 max.”
- “There also needs to be some new things added to the game, to keep it fresh and increase replayability.”
emotional
119 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is described as a complex rollercoaster, eliciting a wide range of feelings from joy and laughter to frustration and heartbreak. Players appreciate the wholesome interactions within the community, despite acknowledging its toxic elements, and many express that the game has profoundly impacted their emotions, often leading to tears of both joy and sorrow. Overall, the game is seen as a unique blend of fun and emotional turmoil, making it a memorable experience for many.
- “This game has made me cry, scream with joy, and both at the same time.”
- “The emotional swings this game brings are almost as devastating as the zweihander.”
- “I cannot remember the last time I played a video game with the boys, and laughed until I cried.”
atmosphere
118 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
35%
4%
The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its immersive and gritty medieval setting, enhanced by strong sound design and detailed graphics that evoke a sense of realism during combat. Players appreciate the blend of humor and chaos, reminiscent of games like TF2, which contributes to a vibrant community experience, though some note that the atmosphere can be undermined by toxic player behavior and certain gameplay mechanics. Overall, the game successfully creates a captivating environment that balances intense action with moments of levity, making it enjoyable for both competitive and casual players.
- “The sound design, from the clang of swords to the guttural war cries, enhances the atmosphere and provides important feedback during fights.”
- “The atmospheric battlefields, dripping with blood, and the intricately designed armor sets transport you back to the medieval era.”
- “The graphics are beautiful and atmospheric.”
- “The atmosphere is undermined by bizarre player loadouts and high-pitched character voices.”
- “It's true this game is an improvement to Chivalry 1 in most ways except for map design and atmosphere.”
- “The only people left playing nowadays are the ones who've played religiously from day one, and the game has a very toxic atmosphere overall; it's not the kind of game you can play casually anymore.”
character development
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
The game offers extensive character development options, particularly appealing to experienced players who enjoy customizing their characters and play styles. While the landscapes may not be exceptional, the character design is highlighted as a standout feature, with players appreciating the immersive graphics and the ability to create unique characters. Overall, the character development aspect is a major draw, enhancing the gameplay experience both solo and with friends.
- “Many character development options for more experienced players.”
- “The only reason I'll use this game from now on is for character design and looking at armor and whatnot.”
- “Amazing game to play alone but better with friends, vast amount of character design and a few game modes to choose from!”
- “Forge yourself in blood and vanquish your foes as any computer may feel worthy to hone your unique play style and character design.”