Mount and Blade

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Mount&Blade is undoubtedly very interesting game. It is basically RPG with few elements of strategy game. The game takes place at country named Calradia, which is divided into several kingdoms. These kingdoms often wage wars against each other.

Mount&Blade should run even on older computers. The system requirements are not high. All you need to run Mount&Blade is a computer with Windows XP or Vista installed. You need at least 256MB of RAM, 1GHz processor and 64MB graphic card compatible with DirectX 9.0c. CD or DVD-Rom is also needed.

I recommend you to start by playing tutorial. You will learn how to move around and fight. Before you start the game, you will need to create new character. You have to choose background of your father, which professions did you try in past and the reason why have you come to Calradia. All these decisions will influence starting characteristics of your character. Of course, you can develop you’re your character later in game. You will ascend to a higher level after you gain certain amount of experience points. With each level you will gain one point which you can use to upgrade one of the basic characteristics of your character (strength etc.). You will also gain several weapon points and one point usable to increase some of your skills (engineering, leadership etc.). The way your character will go is only up to you.

The player’s character starts somewhere on the map of Calradia. The figure which you can see on the map doesn’t represent only you. It represents whole group of yours (you can recruit villagers, mercenaries and even other heroes like yourself). The whole map is available to you from the beginning. However, you have to be cautious about roaming groups of bandits and deserters. These groups will always try to attack you. They will leave you alone only if your group is stronger than theirs. It is better to avoid bigger groups of enemies unless you learn how to fight properly.

You can visit every village, castle and town during your journey through Calradia. You can also trade, recruit soldiers and lead them into the battle. There is an option to attend tournament or battle other warriors using wooden weapons in the arena. You can also visit market or go to tavern. It is the tavern, where you can find mercenaries, heroes and slave and book merchants. The market serves purpose of buying arms, armors, horses and regular stuff like food, furs, etc. The prices are usually different in different towns. It is also possible to buy supplies from villagers. They will sometimes sell you their goods for much lower prices than the merchants in towns.

It is vital to take care of your party’s morale. It depends on several factors. The easiest way to improve morale is to carry a lot of different types of food. Victorious battles usually raise your party’s morale too.

You can be the lone wolf and ride into the battle alone. Another option is to recruit villagers, soldiers or heroes. Villagers can usually be promoted after they gain more experience in battles. Heroes are people just like you. They ascend to higher levels as they gain experience. You can assign the points to their abilities and even give them new armor and weapons. Provided that you have some soldiers in your group, you have several options at the beginning of the battle. You can decide whether you will lead them yourself or send them to fight without you. There is even the option to leave few soldiers behind to cover your retreat. However, by choosing this option, you send those soldiers to their death. There is no chance that they will survive. On the other hand, you (and the rest of your soldiers) gain the opportunity to escape.

You can choose from several types of weapons during the battle. Fighting with different weapon types requires different approach. If you are equipped with horse, you always start the battle on its back. Mounted combat is very different from foot combat. It is generally harder to fight the riders. However, it gets even harder if you fight them on foot. Beware! Your horse can also be killed. Try to keep your horse alive throughout the battle. It can be vital while fighting the more numerous enemy.

You will gain specific amount of renown by winning the battle. Some battles are worth 0 points of renown. This is the case when you fight weaker opponent. As you get more famous, you can become vassal to one of the kingdoms. After making the oath to the king, you will get some village, castle or town. I never got anything different than village. However, you can gain castle or town by conquering it for your king. Then you have to ask him to give it to you. By making oath kings enemies become your enemies as well, so be careful. You will also have to take care of your property, otherwise it will decay and get poorer.

The other option to join one of the kingdoms is to become mercenary. In my opinion, this option is absolutely useless. The only thing you will get is tiny amount of money and many enemies.

Mount&Blade is very interesting and addictive game. Once it catches you, it will consume hours (maybe even weeks) of your time. It is possible to buy it for relatively low price. I recommend you to search for it in regular stores. It is also possible to buy Mount&Blade on the internet. However, the price is usually higher than in some of the regular stores. I was able to buy my version for only 13 euro. Don’t be afraid of little price search before you buy this game. I saw it even for 29 euro on the internet.