The nearly eight-year wait is finally over

Well, it has officially happened. After nearly eight years of development and funding, “Mount and Blade 2: Bannerlord” by TaleWorlds Entertainment has just been released onto the Steam Early Access store. It even came out a day earlier than originally intended.

“The horns sound, the ravens gather. An empire is torn by civil war. Beyond its borders, new kingdoms rise. Gird on your sword, don your armor, summon your followers and ride forth to win glory on the battlefields of Calradia. Establish your hegemony and create a new world out of the ashes of the old,” TaleWorlds Entertainment said.

Coming out just this last Monday, the brand-new entry in the “Mount and Blade” franchise (others include “Mount and Blade: Warband/Fire” and “Sword/Viking Invasion”) comes equipped with many new elements while remaining true to the core mechanics that fans of the series have come to know and love.

Strategy/Action RPG

Choose who you want to be. From a brigand who preys on villagers to a warlord making their way across Calradia, the options are nearly unlimited and every single playthrough will be different.

Large sandbox campaign

The main campaign map is just as massive as previous iterations and looks gorgeous. It also has a variety of elements and environments that make the map more than just a place to move around on.

An example of this is the woodlands of Battania, which are thick and hide many bands of roving looters. Another element is the blistering colds of Sturgia, which chill troops to the bone and slow movement.

Epic battles

The battles are bloody and brutal. From limited experience, every strike with a weapon feels like it has weight behind it. If you are hit, wounds make it harder to fight. With the yell of men and horses, and the sound of sword on shield the battles are fluid and intense, no matter the size or scope.

Glorious new modding abilities

Upon the release, TaleWorlds Entertainment has opened up the modding tools and has basically told creators “to go wild.”

There are not too many mods currently available for “Mount and Blade 2: Bannerlord,” but the modding community has been extremely excited to see what they can do with the massive amounts of files for this game. There are already plans for a Star Wars mod which sounds exciting.

Wrap-up

While “Mount and Blade 2: Bannerlord,” is on Steam Early Access, most of the core game is present. There are a few bugs and glitches, but none take away from the overall experience. TaleWorlds Entertainment is also having a 10 percent discount sale for the release of the game.

The company understands people may not be able to purchase the game at full price because of unemployment or lost hours due to COVID-19. There is even an additional ten percent discount for anyone who already owns any of the previous “Mount and Blade” titles. This sale period will go until April 13.

“Mount and Blade 2: Bannerlord” has just released and is by far the most in-depth game of the “Mount and Blade” franchise. Not enough time has passed to explore everything it has to offer, but just a glance gives away its grandeur.

This is easily the best of the “Mount and Blades.” If you want to explore a massive world, create a family lineage and fight for dominance amidst six rival factions, “Mount and Blade 2: Bannerlord” is out and glorious.