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A Medieval Sandbox of Epic Proportions – Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord

Writer's picture: Nathan WaltersNathan Walters

Image: TaleWorlds Entertainment


Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord, developed by TaleWorlds Entertainment and released in 2020, is an action RPG and strategy game set in a sprawling medieval sandbox world. Players create and customize their own character, recruit and lead an army, and engage in a variety of activities such as trading, diplomacy, and warfare.


Gameplay (9/10) Bannerlord offers a massive and immersive sandbox experience that combines elements of action, strategy, and role-playing. Players can freely explore the game's world, interacting with various factions and characters, and participating in activities such as trade, diplomacy, and warfare. The game's mechanics are deep and engaging, offering a wealth of options and strategies for players to pursue.

The game's real-time combat system is both challenging and satisfying, with players able to command troops on the battlefield and engage in visceral melee combat. The game also features an extensive character progression system, allowing players to customize their character's skills, equipment, and abilities as they rise through the ranks of nobility.


Graphics and Sound (8/10) Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord features detailed graphics that bring the game's medieval world to life. The game's environments are diverse and visually impressive, ranging from sprawling forests and arid deserts to imposing castles and bustling cities. The game's sound design is equally impressive, with a stirring and atmospheric soundtrack that complements the game's setting and tone. The sound effects, such as clashing weapons and the roar of battle, further enhance the game's immersive qualities.


Content and Replayability (9/10) Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord offers a wealth of content, with a vast and diverse world to explore, numerous factions to interact with, and countless quests and activities to participate in. The game's open-ended nature and non-linear progression system ensure that no two playthroughs are alike, providing near-endless replayability for players. While Bannerlord may not have an extensive multiplayer component, its engaging single-player sandbox experience, coupled with a dedicated modding community, ensures that players will find plenty of enjoyment and replayability in the game.


Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord is an engaging and immersive action RPG set in a sprawling medieval sandbox world. With its deep gameplay mechanics, realistic graphics, and near-endless replayability, Bannerlord offers a captivating experience for fans of both medieval settings and open-world games. While occasional performance issues may detract from the experience for some players, the game's engaging gameplay and rich content make it a standout title in the action RPG genre.


Overall Score: 8.5/10

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