Mount & Blade

 PC
User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 569 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 471 out of 569
  2. Mixed: 66 out of 569
  3. Negative: 32 out of 569

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  1. DanB.
    Nov 4, 2008
    8
    I really enjoy this game. Fantastic role playing with enough character statistics to keep you busy for hours. The combat is 2nd to none. For those that say this game isn't pretty, or visually appealing, I beg to differ. I think it looks great. In fact, give the visual enhancement mods. a try, and get a big boost in color and textures. There is a wide variety of weapons to chose from, I really enjoy this game. Fantastic role playing with enough character statistics to keep you busy for hours. The combat is 2nd to none. For those that say this game isn't pretty, or visually appealing, I beg to differ. I think it looks great. In fact, give the visual enhancement mods. a try, and get a big boost in color and textures. There is a wide variety of weapons to chose from, each weapon having a unique purpose with advantages and disadvantages including speed, reach and damage factors. Since you get 4 wpn. slots to chose from, you have to chose wisely for each battle. Basically you can be a mounted warrior or a battle hardened foot soldier, the choice is yours. The sound effects are fantastic. From shields breaking to your well placed axe, swords clashing, arrows thumping into you or your shield and of course blood curdling screams from your fallen prey. You can hire 'Heroes' to join you [no probably not the cheerleader], or recruit from villages or towns to build up your army. If you're into blood, well...it's got enough to thrill you....but, sorry no decapitation or limb removal animations. Ok, so I like it...but there's always something odd with many games out there....this one not excluded. When you first start the game...you are utterly lost, aside from a training area that you're close to...go there and begin..then check out some towns,castles, villages etc...and begin doing Quests. Soon enough, you realize what's going on...and what the purpose of doing Quests are. Once you get the hang of it..eventually you'll be granted a village, and after invading enemy territories etc, eventually your King may reward you with a castle or two. That's when the next round of fun begins. Sieges. Invade enemy castles, towns, villages or vice versa...protect your own from invaders. Everything seems to have consequences, so don't forget to buy food for your party and be active in killing enemines.... or the 'morale' will decrease and your Party Heroes may start leaving. There's an active community that have made many,many mods. for this game as well. Anyway...2 points off for a confusing start to the game, [i.e. lack of storyline] requiring a great deal of patience to understand what your options are. Don't be dissuaded initially by how difficult it actually is to land an arrow or a well placed sword/axe/club/polearm etc. It takes time and practice to increase your character attributes and to understand angles and arrow flight patterns etc...fun stuff. Think of it more like a simulator where the speed of your horse, angle etc...play a definite role on how much damage you'll exert to your target. You'll be pro in no time, have fun.… Expand
  2. L.Tom
    Oct 23, 2008
    3
    Disappointed with it. Game is great with horses and riders and you're able to shoot and stuff, but there's not much else. There are taverns where you could do a little RPG like getting a drink with your men and chat with the barmaid with your adventures, but there's no such thing either. It's an empty tavern with a innkeeper that keep saying the same over everytime you Disappointed with it. Game is great with horses and riders and you're able to shoot and stuff, but there's not much else. There are taverns where you could do a little RPG like getting a drink with your men and chat with the barmaid with your adventures, but there's no such thing either. It's an empty tavern with a innkeeper that keep saying the same over everytime you visit the taverns! The towns and villages add to the monotony of the landscape,but even in those villages and towns, you only see npcs roaming around like zombies and they are few. There is not much to do in them either. Almost everything is eye candy. The only thing you really interact with is with your own character! Another thing that bothered a lot is with that single ladder siege...I mean what the heck is that?! If my memory recall, middle ages sieges are supposed to be fought after ramming the gates and destroying section of the wall so your men could rush and waste the enemy or climb multiple ladders, MULTIPLE, so your men have a chance at winning! The other thing I remember seeing are mounted men climbing steep mountains! What the heck is that?! Men on horses weighing more than 200+ that can climb steep mountains??? My jaw just dropped. I'm still kicking myself for getting this game. They claim this game sticks to realism of the medieval times. I think it stinks unrealism at best.… Expand
  3. ZéM.
    Oct 22, 2008
    9
    I really don´t know the reason for the diference in the "professional" rate and the rate of the users. Even so, I think the reason for that is that the professional critics are only pleased by the standard game industry and don´t like what is new and different. In my opinion the game is great. Of course that the grapihics could be better and bla bla bla. But the core of the I really don´t know the reason for the diference in the "professional" rate and the rate of the users. Even so, I think the reason for that is that the professional critics are only pleased by the standard game industry and don´t like what is new and different. In my opinion the game is great. Of course that the grapihics could be better and bla bla bla. But the core of the game, the idea of the game, to bring the player to a medival world in witch we can be a almost everything, is fantastic and well built. You can raid citys, conquer forts, help kings in his conquest. This game has no story or script u make your one story and i love that kind of game- i like games were i can be me in a new world, were i can dream. For me, the battles in this game are great a i even think that the battles simulations are the best you can try in pc games. Plus the game have many new modes created by other players [and you can creat one to ;) ] and it can give you so many hours of playing (naturaly my girlfriend hates the game LOL). Take it for me, try the game and i'm sure that you will love it (you can try it first). I don´t give 10 because i never give 10 (you never know whats comming in the pc games).… Expand
  4. AnonymousMC
    Oct 21, 2008
    2
    The game is half-finished and very buggy. It was not ready for a retail release at all. TaleWorlds has stated that they do not plan to support this game at all. Even for an indie game, this is a scummy thing to do, and I'm angry I paid money for this thing.
  5. JS
    Oct 16, 2008
    6
    Mount & Blade features the best mounted combat ever in a video game, but that's about it. The rest feels either unpolished or, worse, unfinished. If I was rating this game a few months earlier when it was still considered beta, I would have probably given it a 9 or 10, but the decision to release the game as a final version was pretty bad. Worth the money if you got in early at a Mount & Blade features the best mounted combat ever in a video game, but that's about it. The rest feels either unpolished or, worse, unfinished. If I was rating this game a few months earlier when it was still considered beta, I would have probably given it a 9 or 10, but the decision to release the game as a final version was pretty bad. Worth the money if you got in early at a discounted rate, but overpriced now.… Expand
  6. LukeP.
    Oct 16, 2008
    9
    This game, now that it is finished is amazing. The roleplaying and combat aspects of it are way better than any of the critics give it credit because they critique the beta version. In an ingenious and still morally positive marketing scheme they sold it cheaper as a beta with the promise of free updates. I bought this game at 12 dollars and now I am rewarded with a complete game that This game, now that it is finished is amazing. The roleplaying and combat aspects of it are way better than any of the critics give it credit because they critique the beta version. In an ingenious and still morally positive marketing scheme they sold it cheaper as a beta with the promise of free updates. I bought this game at 12 dollars and now I am rewarded with a complete game that allows me to play as a medieval type fighter in an extremely fun environment. Pay no attention to these old reviews. If you missed out on mount and blade when it first started it isn't too late. If you got it a long time ago and haven't returned, you should. A lot has changed.… Expand
  7. MarkN.
    Oct 15, 2008
    7
    I started playing this game quite some time ago during the early beta stages and found myself enjoying the game very much, and playing several of the mods. However, I must admit there are still issues with the game. Combat is this game's biggest pro. It feels realistic, brutal, and dangerous. You'll have to learn the nuances of each weapon, but this is a fun process. Going from I started playing this game quite some time ago during the early beta stages and found myself enjoying the game very much, and playing several of the mods. However, I must admit there are still issues with the game. Combat is this game's biggest pro. It feels realistic, brutal, and dangerous. You'll have to learn the nuances of each weapon, but this is a fun process. Going from a solo adventurer to a commander is also a learning process, but once again a fun one. Building your character is a fun and rewarding process that makes a real difference you can see on the battlefield. The world is interesting, and there is an overwhelming amount of options. That brings us to the game's primary downfall: You build up your character, your equipment, your troops, your reputation... and then what? It's nice to have been able to explore the world, but I wanted a story, a challenge to work towards. Mount and blade, despite its wonderful underlying system, begins to feel pointless. Once you can beat most of the guys out there and afford expensive equipment, you'll begin to wonder what you did it all for. In the end, I never felt like I finished the game. Because the game has no big 'baron von evil who killed your father' or 'win the war for your people and be lauded as a hero' to work towards it and I just slowly fell out of love and drifted apart, and now I have no sense of closure. Overall certainly worth the $11 I paid for it at an early stage of development, and probably worth the price of a budget game. It's one of those games I keep returning to for short flings time and time again.… Expand
  8. DanW.
    Oct 12, 2008
    10
    I discovered this game shortly before its official release, and the animations and graphics have only gotten better since then, as well as some aspects of gameplay. It just has so much to offer- battles that feel real, an open living world, and of course EXCELLENT mounted combat. Compare the riding in this game with that of TES: Oblivion- it puts it to shame. There are still some annoying I discovered this game shortly before its official release, and the animations and graphics have only gotten better since then, as well as some aspects of gameplay. It just has so much to offer- battles that feel real, an open living world, and of course EXCELLENT mounted combat. Compare the riding in this game with that of TES: Oblivion- it puts it to shame. There are still some annoying gameplay issues (a rather silly skill system, some buggy sieges) and some features that seem half-implemented (town/castle improvements, rebel factions, wooing ladies) but it's more than just a sandbox game. Definitely give it a try if you're a fan of the escape velocity series (one of my favorites) or if you like completely non-linear games and/or medieval combat.… Expand
  9. MikeB
    Oct 10, 2008
    1
    I've followed the development of this game since it started out. SInce then, this game has seen many modifications with the help of its community and to this day, we finally can see the results. I've been a gamer for most of my life so far, and I'm a bit disappointed with the final product. After so many suggestions on the boards to implement and strenghten many areas where I've followed the development of this game since it started out. SInce then, this game has seen many modifications with the help of its community and to this day, we finally can see the results. I've been a gamer for most of my life so far, and I'm a bit disappointed with the final product. After so many suggestions on the boards to implement and strenghten many areas where Mount and Blade could have shined, they were never introduced, but given a pink slip. One of the main gripes is the siege. With a repetitive castle/town siege, you wind up having to fight an entire enemy on the walls using one single ladder. Your army must somehow climb it and defeat the enemy who shoots you down helplessly like ducks. It's quite fustrating to watch. And that's not all. There are myriads of other AI glitches that completely make the game unplayable from the start up. Will be the last time I've spent money on titles such as this one.… Expand
  10. Josh
    Oct 8, 2008
    10
    Incredibly addicting and the large community based around the game gives you ample opportunities to find some of the incredible mods for the game.
  11. EricH.
    Oct 7, 2008
    9
    Kaarel got it right. Not a pretty game, but real role playing. Be a toady for the lords or be a bandit. The story doesn't lead you. You must make the story. A bad choice in combat means losing what you've spent hours building up. What other game has a level of reality like that. The combat has to be experienced. It cannot be explained. Try the demo.
  12. JasonJ.
    Oct 2, 2008
    8
    A last gasp of old-school mechanics, creativity, customizability and fun for the PC, something currently in its losing battle to the death with entertainment conglomerates who are blessed with huge production values and console-moneymaking dreams.
  13. Hinotori
    Oct 2, 2008
    6
    The phrase "niche title" was created to define games like this. Mount and Blade has already achieved a cult following, and, like many other cult classics, features some amazing features along with some crippling issues. Of all the positive things that could be said about Mount and Blade, the titular mounted combat stands out above the rest. Nowhere else will you find mounted combat The phrase "niche title" was created to define games like this. Mount and Blade has already achieved a cult following, and, like many other cult classics, features some amazing features along with some crippling issues. Of all the positive things that could be said about Mount and Blade, the titular mounted combat stands out above the rest. Nowhere else will you find mounted combat handled this well and as entertainingly. On the negative side, the game contains a relatively bland and harshly unforgiving environment (proponents will cite this as "realism") as well as some mind-blowingly unintuitive mechanics. Mount and Blade is extremely newbie-unfriendly, as there is little to no indication as to how dangerous many of your enemies are. An inexperienced solo-adventurer without troops is guaranteed to have a short life. Some mechanics are curiously inconvenient, like the inability to sleep in a town if one is not a nobleman. Others are downright maddening, like the frequent inability of one's character to withdraw completely from combat even if the character is mounted and his or her opponents are not. The openness is a double-edged sword. On one hand, the freedom can be invigorating, with several potential avenues for success including trading, looting, participation in the arena, and vassalage. The openness can be completely overwhelming to a newcomer, however; a new character enters the world with literally no objectives whatsoever. I have been following the game since .6-.7 and while it has improved greatly in many areas (most notably the graphics which are fantastic for such a low-budget indie production), other areas have remained completely stagnant. As it has now finally reached gold, it is unlikely to change drastically and will remain a quirky, enjoyable title to get out whenever one feels a craving for what it does best.… Expand
  14. Temujjin
    Oct 2, 2008
    9
    For what it is, this game is amazing. Sure the AI can be horrible and the graphics are dated, but when a game is this fun and addictive who cares. I've been playing the game for about a year now and have been able to see it grow and expand under the development of its large fan community and it's relatively tiny development team. Yes, this game is an independent game that pretty For what it is, this game is amazing. Sure the AI can be horrible and the graphics are dated, but when a game is this fun and addictive who cares. I've been playing the game for about a year now and have been able to see it grow and expand under the development of its large fan community and it's relatively tiny development team. Yes, this game is an independent game that pretty much just got picked up by Paradox as a publisher. The combat is both fun and challenging to master (especially horse archery), the overall game play is addictive, and there is a gargantuan host of modders who have been working with this game for a few years and will help to improve it even more. If you're looking for a fun game to last you a long time, want to try something new or just want to help independent game developers out then definitely check this game out.… Expand
  15. J.B.
    Oct 1, 2008
    3
    An unfinished game and big letdown by the developers in the final stages of the game creation. What was promised never was delivered. The final release is a disappointment to many. There is absolutely no diplomacy options or any true strategy options given to the player. Only play it if your friends have it. It does not support any multipleplayer either, which is so not hip.
  16. NiklasJ.
    Oct 1, 2008
    9
    A fantastic openended game with marvelous combat. Compared to it's high budget counterparts it's very average looking but having played the beta for a long time I find that this is a gem that you can come back to again and again and again and.
  17. ClementiS.
    Oct 1, 2008
    10
    This game is incredible. IT is so new and different from any other RPG I played. My personal game of the year.
  18. TelyS.
    Sep 30, 2008
    10
    People who focus on the technical short comings of the low budget this game has (the simple graphics, lack of voice acting and a strong storyline) completely miss the point. Its not Oblivion, nor does it want to be, so please stop the comparisons. Apples and oranges. If its anything, its a medieval version of free form space sims like Escape Velocity or Freelancer. Mount and Blade has People who focus on the technical short comings of the low budget this game has (the simple graphics, lack of voice acting and a strong storyline) completely miss the point. Its not Oblivion, nor does it want to be, so please stop the comparisons. Apples and oranges. If its anything, its a medieval version of free form space sims like Escape Velocity or Freelancer. Mount and Blade has incredibly well-tuned combat that is unlike anything else out there. It also has some of the most useful skills I've ever seen put in an RPG, skills that make leveling incredibly addicting. It can be brutally hard when you are low level, but this only makes your future triumphs all the sweeter. This game is an example why PC gaming will always be at the cutting edge.… Expand
  19. Kaarel
    Sep 30, 2008
    9
    Got it on Friday. Next thing I remember, is waking up on Monday morning. Don't know what happened but it was awesome! Highly addicting, I mean HIGHLY! It is awesome riding with your king's party battering down foes, capturing enemy lords and demanding ransoms from their families, being assigned a lord of a poor, small hamlet in a war-torn border region, slowly building it up Got it on Friday. Next thing I remember, is waking up on Monday morning. Don't know what happened but it was awesome! Highly addicting, I mean HIGHLY! It is awesome riding with your king's party battering down foes, capturing enemy lords and demanding ransoms from their families, being assigned a lord of a poor, small hamlet in a war-torn border region, slowly building it up into a prosperous village. Even the inevitable loss of your entire army in a hopeless battle and you being imprisoned can be fun, traveling around the kingdom looking for recruits to refill your army and seeing them advance day by day is a nice refreshment. This all however, pales in comparison to the combat. This is hands-down the BEST medieval-style combat I know. It feels even better than Might&Magic Dark Messiah (even though the game was overhyped, melee combat did own), and a lot better than Oblivion. It just feels so nice riding with your lance down among your fellow knights, breaking the line of advancing footmen. Archery is also pretty awesome, if you know how to do it. The emphasis is of course on mounted combat, as that was the main style in medieval Europe. Why do so many games of that time focus solely on infantry? There are some bugs, the graphics are weak, quests are monotonous, but all of these can be changed by modding. Overall, I highly recommend it (not if you have to write a paper and the deadline is somewhere in the next month, of course).… Expand
  20. Hexxer
    Sep 27, 2008
    0
    Do yourself a favor, don't buy this game. The developers of this game seem to think that making a game is simply to create a simple engine without deep thoughts into the details which are so important. Ever seen horsemen climb steep rocky mountain terrain before? Here you will. Ever seen how developers get lazy at listening to your own ideas of a game you'd want to play and Do yourself a favor, don't buy this game. The developers of this game seem to think that making a game is simply to create a simple engine without deep thoughts into the details which are so important. Ever seen horsemen climb steep rocky mountain terrain before? Here you will. Ever seen how developers get lazy at listening to your own ideas of a game you'd want to play and slack off when releasing an unfinished game? Here you will. If you never played a single game in your life, you might like this game because you have zero experience in game. If you've been a gamer for most of your life, you'll find that Mount and Blade just plain sucks. It does not deliver what it promises.… Expand
  21. JoeC
    Sep 26, 2008
    9
    Very impressive game--think of a cross between Sid Meyer's Pirates (in terms of open-ended gameplay) and Dynasty Warriors 3, 4, or 5 (in terms of slaughtering the enemy by the dozens). There's a lot of playbvalue in this little package. May be good to have a generally new graphics card & system.
  22. ToddD
    Sep 26, 2008
    10
    This is the best game I have played this year and I have never played a game that represents mounted combat like this. If you ever wanted to experience what it was like to be a medieval warlord this is the game for you. An absolute gem.
  23. AngP.
    Sep 25, 2008
    9
    A game that shines despite the fact that it was started by a husband and wife (as in only 2 people) development team. It is by no means perfect but the gameplay is unmatched by any action game I have ever played. Combat physics is on par with even high end games. There are some bugs that need to be worked out, and the graphics could use some work, but these are already being corrected by A game that shines despite the fact that it was started by a husband and wife (as in only 2 people) development team. It is by no means perfect but the gameplay is unmatched by any action game I have ever played. Combat physics is on par with even high end games. There are some bugs that need to be worked out, and the graphics could use some work, but these are already being corrected by the modders in the massive online community, if not by the developers themselves. Absolutely worth the money.… Expand
  24. AaronP.
    Sep 25, 2008
    9
    Extremely fun and addictive game that I'd recommend to anyone.
  25. Tom
    Sep 24, 2008
    10
    So far this is the best game I've played all year. A lot of really innovative gameplay with a ton of depth and replay value.
  26. RobertD.
    Sep 24, 2008
    10
    Great Game, Must play and possibly the best StrategyRPG of the year!
  27. AlexX.
    Sep 23, 2008
    10
    The game has been in development for years so it is certainly not made for a quick buck. Also, the community is not paid to advertise it, the guy who made it has no income other than the sales, which isn't much, so he can't afford that bullshit like big companies can. Reviewers who give it 1 instead of 10 probably just played for a few hours on the easiest settings and thought The game has been in development for years so it is certainly not made for a quick buck. Also, the community is not paid to advertise it, the guy who made it has no income other than the sales, which isn't much, so he can't afford that bullshit like big companies can. Reviewers who give it 1 instead of 10 probably just played for a few hours on the easiest settings and thought all you basically do is find bandit groups to kill so you can buy better stuff for your character. They're simply not smart enough for this game. I'm sure you, dear reader, have higher intelligence. The game has a lot of depth and neat details everywhere, especially in your relations to other NPCs and nations. You'll discover many cool details in how people, enemy parties, potential allies, etc respond to you. Open ended role playing at its finest. Please don't expect Oblivion when you play this. Compare this game ro Sid Meier's Pirates! Instead. Put that in a realistic medieval setting (yes, no magic and elves here, so the LOTR/Oblivion comparisons are stupid) add amazing realistic melee and ranged combat, add a LOT of depth in regards to the things you can do and your relationships to NPCs and nations (imagine if Pirates! allowed you to be a governor, make and break alliances, wage wars, large scale battles and sieges, do interesting quests, and many more things), and you will have a vague idea of this game. Simply? Pirates! but with depth. If Pirates got so good reviews, this should get tenfold that. Anyone who can't see it either didn't give this game a real chance, or has been playing it for way too long and forgot all the cool things now he focuses on just making a super duper character with the optimal exploiting paths he discovered.… Expand
  28. StuR.
    Sep 23, 2008
    10
    If you can get past the 2005-esque graphics you'll find some of the best gameplay mechanics to grace the PC. Truly a victory for Indie devs everywhere this game has truly come through to provide one of the most addictive and exciting games ever. In terms of the medieval combat system M&B has no peer, it requires a huge amount of skill and timing, but it pulls it off beautifully, If you can get past the 2005-esque graphics you'll find some of the best gameplay mechanics to grace the PC. Truly a victory for Indie devs everywhere this game has truly come through to provide one of the most addictive and exciting games ever. In terms of the medieval combat system M&B has no peer, it requires a huge amount of skill and timing, but it pulls it off beautifully, giving the player far more control and a far greater challenge than any other game of its type. It really puts the combat in Oblivion to shame. Although the game itself is a tad buggy, doesn't have a true central-story, and is perhaps a little lacking on the graphics side of things, the overall experience of this truly open sandbox is amazing. I've been with it since the beta and loved every minute of it. Ps - if in doubt try the demo, its essentially the whole game, but you'll be capped to level 8 until you purchase a key, this should give you plenty of time to see if the game is for you and you won't have to d/l anything extra if you decide to keep playing.… Expand
  29. AlexV.
    Sep 22, 2008
    10
    Terrific fun, a bit like elite it gives you freedom to do as you wish, and the combat is excellent. Swear fealty to a king or back an usurper, or even try to carve out your own kingdom. My favourite moment was holding off an enemy siege on my castle and ending up completely covered in (the enemies) blood.
  30. IulianM.
    Sep 22, 2008
    10
    For an indi game, Moun and Blade deserves praise, there for I give it a 10 out of 10. The sheer splendor of the mounted combat surpasses every big budget game to date, and it's been doing so since the first beta release in 2005, when Bethesda was trying to come up with reasons that Oblivion will not have mounted combat. Mount and Blade is well worth the 22 Euros it costs, and the For an indi game, Moun and Blade deserves praise, there for I give it a 10 out of 10. The sheer splendor of the mounted combat surpasses every big budget game to date, and it's been doing so since the first beta release in 2005, when Bethesda was trying to come up with reasons that Oblivion will not have mounted combat. Mount and Blade is well worth the 22 Euros it costs, and the people that got it for 15 while it was still in beta got just about the best deal for a game they could ever get.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

73
#73 Best PC Game of 2008
19
#19 Most Discussed PC Game of 2008
13
#13 Most Shared PC Game of 2008

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
72

Mixed or average reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 28
  3. Negative: 1 out of 28
  1. Pelit (Finland)
    88
    A Medieval action RPG with a great battle system, and there are many ways you can play the game. The game doesn't have a storyline, which is why it becomes a bit boring and pointless after a while, but it does have many good mods and they will keep the game fresh. [Sept 2008]
  2. Boomtown
    70
    A fantastic game. It's hampered by a few problems, but nothing major. It provides ground breaking gameplay that I am sure will be imitated by others.
  3. GamePro
    100
    For a game with such a heavy emphasis on medieval combat, Mount & Blade is just shy of perfection.
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