Mount & Blade: Warband makes into onto Escapist Summer Picks list

Mount & Blade: Warband is on Greg Tito's Summer Picks list over at The Escapist.

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/events/summerpicks2010/782...

You know those moments in fantasy films or movies set in the middle ages when two thundering vanguards clash together in a riot of horseflesh, steel and blood? That's what the combat in M&B: Warband is all about. You ride a horse and can swing your sword or axe or whatever weapon you choose in a visceral battle surrounded by your loyal men. When you get good at the mouse-based combat, which can be a bit tricky to master, it's actually possible to hold off a charge of 20-30 of the opposing enemy. You can really feel like the master at arms that you've always dreamed you can be.

But that's only half of M&B: Warband. The other half is an open-world simulation populated by 7 kingdoms, each with their own flavor. Towns and villages have goods with variable prices and a number of men to recruit into your band. The goal of the game may be to rule it all but there is more than a few chances for emergent gameplay. Want to be the charming rogue? You can woo a Lady right out from under your Lord's nose. Want to support the bastard's claim for the throne of the Nords? You can find him in a foreign court and pledge allegiance to him. Leveling up your hero and his companions, as well as the men in your band, can be accomplished through tracking down bandits, helping out in your liege's wars, or escorting trade caravans. Of course, you could also just be a merchant yourself and earn gold through manipulating the economy.

Playing M&B: Warband feels like nothing more to me than being a character in George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire. If that's anywhere near up your alley, then you'll love it.