The lighting, textures, and terrain are all impressive, and the level of detail really makes me feel like I’m in a living world. The stunning map allows you to scroll completely seamlessly from practically right over your character’s shoulder all the way up to a high-level strategic view, where you can decide whether to raid caravans, fight as a mercenary for a powerful lord, or even found your own kingdom. But its exciting, tactical combat and gorgeous sandbox campaign map full of new lands to win and new characters to meet feed my deep, burning need for a nitty-gritty, intimate take on medieval-ish warfare.īannerlord’s graphics are the most immediately impactful improvement from its decade-old predecessor.

Sure, it’s not the most polished of experiences, hence the early access launch. But when I get into one of Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlords’ pitched battles and charge through an enemy infantry formation while gleefully swinging my sword like a champion, it honestly feels like maybe what wasn’t broken didn’t need fixing.

Not as much has changed in the world of Mount & Blade since 2010’s Warband as I might have expected.

Mount and blade world map