Mount & Blade: With Fire & Sword

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"Mount & Blade: With Fire & Sword" is a sandbox action-RPG set in the 17th century. It features real-time combat with gunpowder weapons and a complex faction system. Players can engage in large-scale battles, diplomacy, and economic strategy while exploring the open world. This entry in the Mount & Blade series brings historical battles and wars to life with its immersive gameplay.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

82%

Audience ScoreBased on 3,127 reviews

story69 positive mentions

graphics28 negative mentions

story
375 mentions
18 % positive mentions
73 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The story in "Mount & Blade: With Fire and Sword" is based on the historical novel by Henryk Sienkiewicz, focusing on the conflicts in 17th-century Eastern Europe, particularly the Polish-Ukrainian wars. While the game introduces multiple faction-specific storylines and quests, many players find the quests to be repetitive, buggy, and often requiring external guides to navigate successfully. Overall, the narrative is seen as a mixed bag, with some appreciating the historical context and depth, while others criticize the execution and the prevalence of game-breaking bugs.
- “The game and its storyline loosely follows the novel *With Fire and Sword* by Henryk Sienkiewicz, depicting Poland's 1648-1651 war against the Khmelnytsky Uprising in present-day Ukraine, and its sequels dealing with the invasion of Poland by Sweden and with Polish wars against the Ottoman Empire.”
- “Mount & Blade: Fire and Sword has been a good addition to the franchise due to its historical storytelling in its singleplayer.”
- “The story modes are the Polish Commonwealth, Russia, and the Cossacks.”
- “Warning: you will need to rely heavily on guides for quest/story/achievement completion as decade-old bugs remain since the game's release.”
- “Most quests are either fetch-and-retrieve or copy-pasted with no real storyline to be followed, and if you attempt to follow the storylines available in the game, you will often find them bugged and impossible to complete.”
- “The story itself is unnecessarily difficult and long.”
gameplay
231 mentions
29 % positive mentions
62 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Mount & Blade: With Fire & Sword" retains the core mechanics of its predecessor, "Warband," while introducing new elements such as firearms and a historical setting that enhance the experience. While many players appreciate the immersive RPG and strategic aspects, some criticize the clunky mechanics, bugs, and repetitive gameplay that detract from the overall enjoyment. Despite these issues, the game offers extensive replayability and a unique blend of action and strategy, making it a compelling choice for fans of the series.
- “The game builds upon the core mechanics that fans of the series love while introducing new features and improvements that enrich the gameplay experience.”
- “With its unique blend of historical accuracy and open-ended gameplay, this game invites you to carve your own path to glory in a fascinating era.”
- “The gameplay is immersive, engaging, and offers large replayability; for instance, you could play each faction, so there are five playthroughs alone. I am not even a quarter through my first campaign at 50 hours.”
- “Some of the gameplay in Mount & Blade, Mount & Blade Warband, Mount & Blade: With Fire & Sword is really clunky at times. You can get crashes to desktop, there are annoying mechanics like getting hit by a random musket from 200 yards and the battle is over, getting stuck in your units at the start of a battle and unable to move.”
- “The gameplay is ruined for me by the fact that for whatever reason, I can't recruit troops from villages. I'm not sure if this is a glitch or a gameplay mechanic, but it ruins the flow of the game because it makes getting high-tiered troops impossible.”
- “The sad part is that it's not the inclusion of the firearms, but rather their mechanics. The guns detract from the gameplay and Warband is a better game overall.”
graphics
127 mentions
17 % positive mentions
61 % neutral mentions
22 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely regarded as outdated and lacking polish, often compared unfavorably to modern standards. Many players note that while the visuals may not impress, the engaging gameplay and immersive story compensate for the graphical shortcomings, allowing for an enjoyable experience despite the dated aesthetics. Some users also mention minor graphical glitches and issues, but these do not significantly detract from the overall enjoyment of the game.
- “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 are beautiful, sound is good, history is true, generals' names and troops' names are true.”
- “Fantastic game, don't let the outdated graphics fool you; this is a game of tactical battles and party management.”
- “The graphics are poor, gameplay a little unbalanced, the AI is underdeveloped, and various bugs sprinkled throughout the entire experience make the overall experience lacking in quite a few areas.”
- “Graphics are terrible compared to today's standards but the grind is as good as ever.”
- “The visuals are highly dated and, surprisingly, don't hold up as well as Warband.”
stability
74 mentions
4 % positive mentions
-1 % neutral mentions
97 % negative mentions
The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous players reporting frequent crashes, graphical glitches, and buggy quests that hinder gameplay. Many users express frustration over the game's unfinished state, leading to a lack of enjoyment and even prompting some to uninstall it. Despite these issues, a few players still find charm in the game, suggesting that it can be enjoyable if one can overlook the persistent bugs.
- “The game has a solid foundation, but the occasional glitches can detract from the overall experience.”
- “While the quests are engaging, the bugs can disrupt gameplay, especially during battles where historical accuracy is compromised.”
- “If the game were free of glitches, I would wholeheartedly recommend it, but the stability issues are hard to overlook.”
- “This game is far too buggy to play properly. I have wasted so many hours trying to fix bugs that break the game, so I've finally given up on this game and uninstalled it.”
- “I don't recommend this video game because it is riddled with bugs and glitches, and for the most part, the quests are almost impossible to complete.”
- “The game is rough around all edges, is buggy as hell, and can get tedious.”
music
35 mentions
26 % positive mentions
66 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising its ability to evoke the historical setting and enhance the atmosphere, while others lament the absence of nostalgic tracks from previous versions. Many players appreciate the new compositions and the overall quality of the soundtrack, though some find it lacking in excitement or variety. Overall, the music contributes positively to the game's immersive experience, despite some criticisms regarding its repetitiveness and occasional bugs.
- “A great soundtrack.”
- “The soundtrack is amazing and the atmosphere is electric.”
- “This game is a classic and the symphonic music makes it pleasant to play for a few minutes or a few hours.”
- “Solid modification for the warband, compared to some older physical version of it that I got back in the days. It adds some new stuff (new equipment and some improvements), though I noticed so far all the music from that older version is gone and it took away that nostalgic charm.”
- “A lot of music from Warband is reused, which I don't like.”
- “But I found the soundtrack a little dull and I think some of the weapons and armor are oddly priced.”
grinding
20 mentions
15 % positive mentions
-10 % neutral mentions
95 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the engaging battles and interactions with leaders, many find the early and mid-game grinding tedious and time-consuming, often requiring hundreds of hours to achieve completion. The repetitive nature of quests and battles can lead to boredom, especially when compounded by bugs and a lackluster storyline. Overall, the grind can be enjoyable for those who embrace it as a casual pastime, but it may deter players seeking a more streamlined experience.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Grinding in this game is both rewarding and addictive.”
- “The grind is real, but the satisfaction of leveling up makes it all worth it.”
- “Ok, so the beginning is rather slow and you need to sweat a lot, enduring this really tedious process, in order to complete quests and fights with bandits, just so you can save enough renown points to join a faction.”
- “Alas, completing the game's story or doing 100% of all the achievements here requires lots of grinding, hundreds of hours of free time or cheats.”
- “Campaign gameplay in 'With Fire and Sword' mainly boils down to running away from bandits and endlessly playing errand boy to local lords, and is both needlessly difficult and extremely tedious.”
humor
15 mentions
93 % positive mentions
-13 % neutral mentions
20 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is often derived from its quirky mechanics and unexpected situations, such as the absurdity of AI behavior and the comedic outcomes of battles. Players find amusement in the game's challenges, like frustrating quests and the exaggerated effectiveness of certain tactics, which lead to humorous moments during gameplay. Overall, the game is described as funny, with a lighthearted community that embraces its comedic elements.
- “Game is very funny.”
- “Being a grenadier is hilarious; I spent a lot of time charging behind the enemy army to the spawn location and throwing grenades at opportune times. It almost feels like cheating.”
- “Funny stuff happens when you kill a guy off a castle wall into a pond. XD”
- “Avoid garden quests for hunting down garden thieves - when you're supposed to look for them in the villages, mother gardens are standing in the bushes or beside rocks. These simple tasks take much longer than they should in an unfunny way because sometimes they are literally on the edge of the maps.”
- “The humor in this game falls flat, with jokes that feel forced and situations that lack any real comedic timing.”
- “I expected a lighthearted experience, but the attempts at humor often feel awkward and out of place, making the game more frustrating than funny.”
replayability
13 mentions
46 % positive mentions
31 % neutral mentions
23 % negative mentions
The game boasts high replayability due to its rich historical context, diverse factions, and numerous quests, allowing players to experience different perspectives and strategies. Many users highlight the immersive gameplay and extensive content, suggesting that it offers countless hours of engaging play. Overall, it is regarded as a must-buy for fans of the genre, with significant replay value stemming from its multiple campaigns and updates enhancing playability.
- “This historical richness not only provides a captivating backdrop but also enhances the game’s replayability, as players explore the various perspectives and challenges each faction offers.”
- “All in all, a fantastic game with a long lifespan and high replay value.”
- “There's lots of quests, lots of cities and towns, lots of different methods to take in order to secure victory; the replay value is very much present, and as many battles as I take part in, it never seems to get old.”
- “For those who enjoy the Mount & Blade series, this is a must-buy as it adds new challenges and plenty of replay value with the addition of main stories for certain factions.”
- “More 'action-y' than Warband, and with the same replay value.”
optimization
11 mentions
27 % positive mentions
45 % neutral mentions
27 % negative mentions
The optimization of "Mount & Blade: With Fire and Sword" has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including stuttering and lag, regardless of settings adjustments. While some users note that the game runs smoothly on decent hardware, others highlight frequent crashes and bugs that detract from the experience, leading to a general consensus that the game is poorly optimized compared to its predecessor, "Warband." Overall, players recommend caution due to these optimization challenges.
- “M&B: With Fire and Sword (WFAS for short) is a great game in matters such as historical scenarios, faction balance, and smooth running in terms of performance.”
- “This game runs smoothly with nothing bad happening, though it might crash rarely, but it's no problem if you save your game from time to time.”
- “In terms of the engine, WFAS and Warband are essentially identical, so expect smooth performance on any remotely reasonable gaming computer even at maximum settings.”
- “Horridly un-optimized causing lag no matter how to change the settings.”
- “With Fire and Sword has an interesting concept; however, due to bad optimization, bugged quests, and randomly denying parts of the game, I can't recommend it. If you want the M&B create-your-own-adventure experience, just stick with Warband.”
- “Fun, but be warned, this game is horribly, horribly optimized.”
atmosphere
11 mentions
45 % positive mentions
27 % neutral mentions
27 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is a standout feature, with many players praising its unique and immersive qualities, despite some criticisms regarding graphics and polish. While some find the atmosphere to be electric and reminiscent of classic gaming experiences, others note inconsistencies, such as a less vibrant map compared to previous titles. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a compelling reason to engage with the game, especially for fans of the historical setting.
- “For what the game lacks in polish, graphics, and gameplay, it makes up for in story and atmosphere.”
- “Graphics are greatly improved, the combat is greatly improved, the soundtrack is amazing, and the atmosphere is electric.”
- “Awesome atmosphere, must buy if you like the setting!”
- “The atmosphere of the game is very weird; everything is too shiny, and it feels like a bad mod that has been installed onto Mount and Blade.”
- “Aside from the experience points problem and the stacked cards against you in the gun-crazed Eastern European atmosphere, the balance for the game feels a bit off, and nothing is as 'pretty' here as Warband.”
- “The map is more alive, but I find that it has far less atmosphere.”
emotional
6 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional responses to the game are mixed, with some players feeling a deep immersion in the character and historical context, while others express disappointment and frustration with gameplay mechanics and character interactions. The contrast between the emotional impact of previous titles like Warband and the current game's shortcomings leads to feelings of nostalgia and dissatisfaction, highlighting a sense of loss for what once was. Overall, the emotional experience is marred by gameplay issues and a lack of depth in character development.
- “It made me feel very immersed in my character and the history of the time.”
- “My first feeling from Warband was... awesome... this made me cry.”
- “The pick-up artists come across as nerdy, emotionally underdeveloped men, usually young, who have chosen to reinvent themselves as sexually irresistible predators.”
monetization
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The monetization of the game is widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, with users expressing disappointment that it feels more like a poorly executed mod of Warband rather than a standalone title.
- “Clearly a cash grab 'game' that's just a bad Warband mod.”
- “As much as I love Warband, this is just a shameless cash grab.”
character development
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Reviewers highlight the strong character development in the game, noting that characters undergo significant growth and transformation throughout the story, enhancing player engagement and emotional investment.
- “The character development is incredibly strong, making each character feel unique and relatable.”
- “I was amazed by the depth of character development; every choice I made had a significant impact on their growth.”
- “The game excels in character development, allowing players to witness profound transformations throughout the story.”