Mount & Blade

...but this game won't let me. Despite its aging graphics of half a decade past, this game is a solid example of how gameplay mechanics trump visual finesse. I only started playing it after GOG gave it away (despite already having a Steam key for it), and have since pulled many a late night building armies, besieging castles, winning tournaments, and just a whole lot of medieval-flavoured fun. The variety of troops and equipment available to collect is good, and managing your character and hero unit stats round out the RPG elements to it. Also, although *Spoilers?* there is no actual story, the nature of the sandbox environment they provide makes it very easy to set your own goals to pursue. I haven't even looked into the multitude of mods created for it by its devout fanbase, or at any of its sequels/expansions. But I can already tell that this game will see many more hours of playtime before I move on to something else. Now if you'll excuse me, I must get back to my 3AM play session.

Loot better gear from your fallen enemies to start off. Purchase gear and supplies for your fledgling army and set off for fame and fortune! Take control of local towns and lay siege to forts. Push inside to route your new home of its former pests.. er occupants. Aww, the cute enemy has a shield, shoot him in the foot or just smash it to bits then him next. Oh you got a brand new fief, time to equip your main party and kill some bandits to protect your fledgling kingdom. Diplomacy with surrounding kingdoms? Sure, maybe. Mixing some rpg elements and first/third person combat this game does well to satisfy your inner warlord. Fairly open ended sandbox style with many ways to go about things this first in the series is enjoyable. Getting used to the combat system is not too difficult, they way you use your mouse before initiating an attack will change how the attack works. Get a mount asap, it is an incredible advantage even with a lame horse. When mixed with ranged and a lance to couch you will be able to overcome overwhelming odds. Hopefully your horse survives... If you missed the game for free it's still worth buying the series. Up to you if waiting for a sale is worth it or not.

I think the devs originally set out to create a medieval combat simulator focusing on cavalry pre black powder warfare. This is a game that once I installed many years ago has never left my hard drive. In my opinion the game itself has several brilliant ideas but lacks in areas that tie all these ideas together. That's where mods come in. The modding community was very robust and you can get dizzy looking up all the available mods in gameplay mods to new themes/skins for the game's world. My favorite two are Star Wars: Conquest and The Last Days of Middle Earth. Check the optimization thread on the last days forum to get it working right. There are some things to consider but once working right you'll likely love it as I did (and still do!). There are many other mods. Westerns, and ancient far-east themes. Historical themes researched to be relatively accurate. So many modders have done many great things with this game. It takes a good game with several great ideas and turns it into an amazing experience. The gameplay is interspersed between combat (the main focus), a large map screen where your character is a tiny dude you click around and some menu-driven gameplay for trading, shopping, quests etc. There are tournaments to join and people to impress or piss off. It's nearly impossible for the game to end but the ride is what's most fun. Mods like The Last Days are meant to end in a reasonable time. Most others just go on. It's a grind but so much fun when you find a mod you like. The combat might be my favorite. Picture yourself playing total war through the eyes of one of the foot soldiers. Although you get to gather and lead your own group this is what it feels like. I get burned out...but I can always put this game away and come back to it in between games when I just want to kill a few hours. Definitely worth your time even with Warband out since Star Wars Conquest is for original M&B only. This game is a 8/10. With mods it's 9.5/10!

Fun little title until you realize how much is missing. "Wouldn't it be great if you could do this or that" rapidly dawns into, "oh you can do those things in the Warband edition". So yes it's a fine game but you'll end up wanting to play the Warband edition so do that instead and skip this.