Early Access is Available March 2020
After being in development for almost eight excruciatingly long years, Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord is finally here. The sequel to Mount and Blade was looking as though it was never going to come out. First teased in 2012, Bannerlord seemed at times that it would never come to fruition. However, all the doubters and naysayers have been proven wrong because Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord is going into early access on Steam in March 2020. What a time to be alive.
For those who have never played the original, the Mount and Blade series uses a very simple yet rewarding style of gameplay. The game uses a system of directional attacking and defending. For instance, you can only attack in four different directions. Up, left, right, and in a stabbing or thrusting motion. The attacks can all be blocked or parried if the opposing player positions their weapon in the same spot that the other player is attacking. It is very basic but it makes for some very dramatic duals and fights in both the single-player and multiplayer.
The single-player is a fairly hardcore RPG experience. You start off as an absolute nobody with a rusty sword and a couple of loaves of bread to your name. From there you can do whatever you like however, the main goal is to fight in the many wars between the different factions that exist. From there you gain fame and renown and eventually, you will have the ability to form your own kingdom.
The multiplayer is one of the most well know features that the series has. The online aspect of Mount and Blade throws you into massive 100 vs 100 battles. There is no other game that can deliver that sort of experience. Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord should only improve on everything that was lacking in the original. If you like hardcore RPGs or fighting in 200 player Medieval sieges then make sure you play this game when you get the chance.
The graphics in the original Mount and Blade are horrendous, but nothing is perfect.