Mount & Blade (series)

Mount & Blade is a series of action role-playing video games developed by TaleWorlds Entertainment. The series is primarily set in the fantasy world of Calradia that closely resembles medieval Europe and the Middle East, expansions have taken place during different periods of history. As of 2015, the series has sold over 6 million units.[1]

Mount & Blade
Developer(s)TaleWorlds Entertainment
Sich Studio
Flying Squirrel Entertainment
Brytenwalda Studios
Publisher(s)TaleWorlds Entertainment
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows, Linux, MacOS, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
First releaseMount & Blade
September 16, 2008
Latest releaseMount & Blade II: Bannerlord
October 25, 2022

Series History
Release timeline
2008Mount & Blade
2009
2010Mount & Blade: Warband
2011Mount & Blade: With Fire & Sword
2012Mount & Blade: Warband - Napoleonic Wars
2013
2014Mount & Blade: Warband - Viking Conquest
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord

The original game, Mount & Blade, was released in 2008. It initially received a mixed critical reception. Reviewers praised the game for its innovative combat mechanics, complex character skill system, and large modding community,[2][3][4][5][6] but also criticized it for its repetitive quests, dialogues, and locations, as well as low graphics quality.[2][3][5][6][7]

Mount & Blade: Warband, was released in March 2010. Warband expands on the original game by introducing a sixth faction, increasing political options, adding the ability for the player to start their own faction, and incorporating multiplayer modes. Warband received two expansions developed by different studios in conjunction with TaleWorlds Entertainment. The first expansion for Warband, Napoleonic Wars, was released in April 2012. Developed by Flying Squirrel Entertainment, it was a multiplayer focused expansion that was set during the last years of the Napoleonic Wars. A second expansion for Warband was released in December 2014, Viking Conquest was developed by Brytenwalda Studios and featured singleplayer and multiplayer content based around the Viking Age.

A spin-off stand-alone expansion for Warband, Mount & Blade: With Fire & Sword, was released in May 2011. Developed by Sich Studio with TaleWorlds Entertainment, it was based on the historical novel With Fire and Sword taking place during the Deluge. Unlike the other expansions for Warband it did not require the base game to play.

A sequel, Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord, was released on Steam in early access on March 30, 2020. The game was officially released on October 25, 2022.

Gameplay

The games are action-oriented role-playing game without any fantasy elements, which takes place in a medieval land named Calradia. The game features an open world, in which there is no storyline present. The player is able to join one of the factions, fight as a mercenary, assume the role of an outlaw, or take a neutral side.[8]

Game engine

TaleWorlds have allowed other developers to license the Warband engine, this has resulted in other games that feature the gameplay of the Mount and Blade series. In 2015, Blood and Gold: Caribbean! was released. Developed by Snowbird Games it is set in the Golden Age of Piracy and features both singleplayer and multiplayer content.[9] In 2017, 汉匈决战/Han Xiongnu Wars was released. Developed by Shangshixuan it is set during the Han dynasty.[10] Both games feature the core mechanics and visuals of Mount and Blade: Warband.

Games

References
  1. Savage, Phil (28 July 2015). "Mount & Blade series has sold 6 million copies". PC Gamer. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  2. Todd, Brett (September 22, 2008). "Mount & Blade Review". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
  3. Dagley, Andrew (September 19, 2008). "Mount & Blade review". TechAdvisor. International Data Group. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
  4. Breeden, John (September 9, 2008). "Mount And Blade Puts Knights At The Ready!". Game Industry News. Noble Order Press Enterprises. Archived from the original on September 16, 2008. Retrieved October 7, 2008.
  5. McGehee, Steven (September 25, 2008). "Mount & Blade". Digital Chumps. Gloomy Tree Productions. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
  6. Ocampo, Jason (December 17, 2008). "Mount & Blade Review". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
  7. Stegerwald, Kyle (September 28, 2008). "Mount & Blade review". CPUGamer. 2404 - PC Gaming LLC. Archived from the original on December 16, 2008. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
  8. Dagley, Andrew (September 16, 2008). "Mount & Blade (PC)". GamePro. GamePro Media. Archived from the original on September 21, 2008. Retrieved October 7, 2008.
  9. "Blood and Gold: Caribbean!". Steam. Retrieved 2022-11-19.
  10. "汉匈决战/Han Xiongnu Wars". Steam. Retrieved 2022-11-19.
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