Mount & Blade
- November 3, 2008
- Taleworlds
- 33h median play time
Mount and Blade is a huge game worth revisiting over and over again. The graphics are nothing to look at, but the gameplay, especially the battles, is very well done.
Get on Steam"Mount & Blade" is a free-form sandbox medieval combat game set in the war-torn land of Calradia. Experience groundbreaking horseback combat and advanced sword-fighting systems using a variety of weapons. Gain reputation, amass an army, and build your own realm through strategic planning and interactions with hundreds of characters. The challenging AI will put your combat and strategic skills to the test.
PC
Windows
Nintendo 3ds
Wii
Wii U
Reviews
- graphics359 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The graphics of Mount & Blade are widely regarded as outdated and crude, reflecting its age as a 2008 title. While many players find the visuals lackluster and reminiscent of earlier gaming eras, they often emphasize that the engaging gameplay compensates for these shortcomings. Overall, the consensus is that while the graphics may not impress, the game's addictive mechanics and modding community enhance the experience significantly.
“The game offers some really nice graphics and a nice yet simplistic aesthetic which is pleasant all the same and has some amazing attention to detail even though it is a little rough around the edges.”
“Graphics may not be great, but it is a fun game if you are not that easily impressed by graphics.”
“The graphics are dated, but that is to be expected of a game released in 2007.”
“The graphics in Mount & Blade are crude and a little ugly.”
“The graphics hardly hold up to today's standards but hell, Bannerlord's don't either.”
“The graphics are dated, however this game may have been one of the best purely medieval RPGs I have ever played.”
- gameplay350 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Mount & Blade is characterized by its simplicity and addictive combat mechanics, offering a unique blend of open-world exploration and medieval warfare. While the graphics are dated and some mechanics feel underdeveloped, many players find the core gameplay loop engaging and rewarding, with hundreds of hours of potential playtime. However, newer players are often advised to start with the more refined Mount & Blade: Warband for a better overall experience.
“The gameplay is unique enough to offset the age.”
“The graphics are dated, but the gameplay more than makes up for it.”
“It may look a bit dated by now, but the gameplay is still perfect, with one of the best medieval combat simulations I've ever encountered.”
“The game features barebone mechanics, giving the player not many options to manage... anything, really... from inventory to troopers on the battlefield, everything is so basic that after a while becomes simply boring.”
“Certain aspects of the game, some of its fundamental mechanics and controls, are very poorly designed, or feel half-baked, like they didn't get enough testing and development before release.”
“Game screws you over way too much, I couldn't get anything done because of the mechanics repeatedly messing up my progress.”
- story241 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The story in "Mount & Blade" is largely non-linear and sandbox-style, allowing players to create their own narratives through gameplay rather than following a structured plot. While some players appreciate the freedom to forge their own path, many criticize the lack of a cohesive storyline and repetitive quest mechanics, leading to a sense of monotony over time. Overall, the game is more about personal experience and player-driven storytelling than a traditional narrative.
“Very imaginative and adaptive story mode, I have been coming back and forth to this one for years and every time I play I go about the same world a different way.”
“The ability to create your own story and your own army is just awesome.”
“This is what RPGs should be: freedom, with each choice actually affecting how your story unfolds.”
“There is no story or plot in Mount & Blade.”
“It has no story, no structure to build your game around.”
“The quests are completely dull and the entire story amounts to some exposition and the odd feature that your enemies prefer to capture you and take your stuff rather than simply kill you so that you won't take revenge in the future.”
- replayability54 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The game boasts high replayability, largely due to its engaging combat, diverse gameplay options, and a wealth of community-created mods that continually refresh the experience. While some players note that the game can become repetitive once familiar with its mechanics, many find the ability to explore different factions and playstyles, along with the vast modding community, provides near-endless opportunities for new adventures. Overall, it is praised for its depth and the potential for countless hours of enjoyment.
“Honestly, one of the best games I have ever played, due to its replayability, largely thanks to the countless mods which are still being made, long after the game was first released.”
“With incredible gameplay, a vast amount of things to do, and unlimited replayability, you owe it to yourself to play this indie masterpiece.”
“Star Wars, the Wild West, and Ancient Greece are just a few examples of mods which completely change the game, and combined with its already huge list of possibilities, give the Mount & Blade almost infinite replayability.”
“The game itself is good, the combat is fun and there's plenty to do with a lot of replayability, but it becomes repetitive real fast and once you've got the hang of things there's basically no challenge anymore.”
“People say the game has no replayability, but it can be pretty cool to find ways to make the game feel new.”
“Neither magic nor alchemy is needed here; the setting of this game is medieval fiction rather than mythological fantasy, but it has enough interesting elements, depth of gameplay, and replayability to draw you back and try something new.”
- stability30 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 80 % negative mentions
The game exhibits a range of stability issues, including frequent bugs and glitches, particularly with AI and horse riding mechanics. While many players report that these problems are generally minor and non-game-breaking, some have experienced crashes, especially when using mods. Overall, the game runs well on modern systems despite its dated graphics, but players should be prepared for occasional instability.
“This game runs on games from before 2000 and still runs great on Windows 10.”
“Great game; there are not many bugs and it runs great.”
“2008 graphics, but the game runs great on newer computers.”
“The only downside is that it's always been very buggy unless you follow their instructions on the best setup to use.”
“There is Star Wars Conquest that changes Mount and Blade into a Star Wars game, but it is buggy and crashes often.”
“The game has quite a few bugs, glitches, and issues; fortunately, most of them are not game-breaking and minor.”
- music26 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with standout battle tracks that enhance the experience, while world map and city themes are considered somewhat generic and repetitive over time. The soundtrack is described as fitting and atmospheric, contributing positively to the overall gameplay, though some players note that it lacks variety. Overall, the music is seen as a strong aspect of the game, complementing its improved graphics and engaging storyline.
“Graphics are greatly improved, the combat is greatly improved, the soundtrack is amazing and the atmosphere is electric.”
“The soundtrack is very fitting and it has replay value.”
“Fantastic musical score to this game, as well as a fairly balanced morality system implemented, and you'll always hear two sides to any argument.”
“The music is a little generic on the world map and in cities, but the battle tracks are great.”
“Medieval flute and drum music?”
“The soundtrack is decent.”
- grinding16 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be both tedious and enjoyable, with early levels requiring significant effort to level up and build an army. While some appreciate the fun combat and immersive medieval environments, many note that the repetitive nature of grinding can become monotonous over time. Overall, the experience is mixed, with some recommending it only if on sale.
“But the fighting on horseback is extremely tedious and annoying.”
“Great game, but the first few hours are grindy leveling up and getting a bigger army.”
“It was decent, fun combat, but it got really tedious and monotonous; get it if it's on sale.”
- humor14 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by its clunky yet entertaining combat system, where players find joy in the absurdity of animations and mechanics, such as hitting enemies with lances. Many users appreciate the game's funny features and quests, with some mods, like the "Gangs of Glasgow," adding to the comedic experience. Overall, while the game has its challenges, its humor remains a standout aspect that keeps players engaged.
“Huge map, tons of features, lots of quests, and a clunky but hilarious combat system.”
“Combat is fun and satisfying; hitting people in the face with a lance is funny every time.”
“This game is totally fine, and the Gangs of Glasgow mod is hilarious, but really Warband is just better in every way.”
- optimization8 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is generally praised for being less demanding than Warband, making it suitable for lower-end PCs, with performance ratings reaching 11/10 on many systems. However, users have reported significant compatibility issues with Windows 10, often requiring mods or extensive workarounds to ensure smooth gameplay and save functionality. Overall, while it performs well on various hardware, the need for potential fixes can detract from the experience.
“AI structure, intel, performance, settings, etc.: 9.5/10”
“There can be significant Windows 10 compatibility issues that can crop up, to the point the game is not manageable or savable unless you're prepared to mod this game and/or go to great lengths to use 'compatibility mode' workarounds to get it to run smoothly.”
“It's not as strenuous as Warband, and definitely a better option if your PC isn't high performance.”
“11/10 performance on any low-end PC (well, most).”
- atmosphere6 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, with users highlighting significant improvements in graphics and an exceptional soundtrack that contribute to an electric ambiance. Many players feel that the immersive atmosphere enhances the overall experience, often valuing it more than the combat mechanics themselves.
“Graphics are greatly improved, the combat is greatly improved, the soundtrack is amazing, and the atmosphere is electric.”
“For me personally, M&B is great rather for its atmosphere than for how it handles swordplay, which many people praise in all their reviews.”
“(Squint at screen to read paragraph of text that blends in with the game's atmosphere) 'Now, you will face a man with a- oh shit, there's a dude behind me with a mace!'”
“The text blends in so much with the game's atmosphere that I had to squint to read it, and then I was ambushed by an enemy I didn't see coming.”
“The atmosphere is so immersive that I found myself struggling to read important text, which led to unexpected surprises from enemies.”
“I was so engrossed in the atmosphere that I didn't notice the crucial information on the screen until it was too late, resulting in a frustrating encounter.”
- character development2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is enhanced by RPG elements that allow players to forge strong bonds with companions, who level up alongside the player and can be customized to fit individual playstyles. This dynamic not only enriches the gameplay experience but also makes these companions vital assets throughout the journey.
“With RPG character development elements in play, you also forge bonds with companions along your journey – these comrades ultimately become your most dependable assets, leveling up alongside you and customizable to suit your preferences.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find "Mount and Blade" to evoke a sense of emotional engagement through its immersive medieval European narrative and combat, making it a recommended choice for those seeking a wholesome single-player experience.
