Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord is a medieval action-RPG and strategy hybrid developed by TaleWorlds Entertainment. Serving as both a prequel and spiritual evolution of Mount & Blade: Warband, Bannerlord offers a sprawling sandbox experience that blends real-time tactical combat with deep political, economic, and military systems. Set in the fictional continent of Calradia, it captures the chaos and opportunity of a fractured medieval world on the verge of collapse
System Compatibility
Bannerlord is available across a range of platforms with optimised support for modern systems.
| Platform | Availability | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PC (Windows) | Yes | Full modding support and best performance |
| Xbox Series X/S | Yes | Stable console port |
| Xbox One | Yes | Functional but lower performance |
| PlayStation 5 | Yes | Enhanced graphics and framerate |
| PlayStation 4 | Yes | Acceptable, but slower load times |
Production
TaleWorlds began development in 2012, building a new engine from scratch. Development was long and occasionally criticised for its pacing, but the end result is a robust platform for both solo and community-driven content. The studio leaned on its community throughout early access, refining features and responding to feedback.
Plot and Game Objectives
Bannerlord does not have a linear plot but places the player in a dynamic medieval world filled with civil wars, rival claimants, and shifting alliances. Players can:
- Create their own character and choose their origin.
- Build armies and lead them in open battle or siege.
- Serve as a mercenary, lord, or ruler.
- Trade, craft, and manage cities.
- Pursue the Dragon Banner questline to restore or reshape the Empire.
The game offers complete freedom in approach. Players may rise through diplomacy or brute force, forging their own legacy.
Combat System and Game Mechanics
Combat in Bannerlord continues the series’ hallmark of directional melee fighting, mounted warfare, and large-scale engagements. Key systems include:
- Directional melee combat: Players must block and attack in real time based on enemy movements.
- Mount-based fighting: Horses and camels can be used in both skirmishes and full battles.
- Siege warfare: Players can assault castles using siege engines, ladders, and battering rams.
- Command interface: Control groups of units, assign formations, and give battlefield orders.
- Skill progression: Levelling based on action use (e.g. riding to improve Riding, swordplay to improve One-Handed).
- Clan and Kingdom management: Once powerful enough, players can lead factions and navigate internal politics.
Arms and Armour Featured – Focus on Swords
Bannerlord features a diverse array of historical and historically-inspired weapons and armour from various cultures within Calradia.
Swords in particular include:
| Sword Type | Features | Used by Factions |
|---|---|---|
| Arming Sword | Classic one-handed sword | Vlandia, Empire, Battania |
| Falchion | Curved, single-edged slashing weapon | Aserai, some Battanian units |
| Sabre | Light, curved, often cavalry-focused | Khuzait, Aserai |
| Two-Handed Greatsword | Heavy weapon for devastating blows | Sturgia, Empire shock troops |
| Scimitar | Elegant curve, great for mounted combat | Aserai, Khuzait |
Other weapons include:
- Axes, spears, and polearms.
- Bows, crossbows, and javelins.
- Siege equipment like trebuchets and ballistae.
Armour ranges from padded gambesons and lamellar to full mail hauberks and imperial plate.
Critical Acclaim
Upon release, Bannerlord received a mix of praise and criticism.
Positive reception:
- Deep, emergent gameplay and long-term replayability.
- Satisfying, weighty combat system.
- Massive battles with up to 1000 units.
Criticisms:
- Performance issues at launch, especially on lower-end PCs.
- Incomplete or underdeveloped features during early access.
- Occasional AI quirks in battle and diplomacy.
Post-launch updates have addressed many of these problems, significantly improving the experience.
Legacy
While still relatively recent, Bannerlord has secured its place as a prominent entry in medieval sandbox gaming. Its modding scene is vibrant, with overhauls ranging from historical realism (e.g. Europe 1200) to total conversions (e.g. The Old Realms for fantasy settings). Bannerlord continues to be a go-to reference point for games attempting to balance grand strategy with personal combat.
Where to Play
- Steam and Epic Games Store (PC): Offers mod support and regular updates.
- Xbox Game Pass (Console): Included for subscribers.
- PlayStation and Xbox Stores: Available as a full purchase.
Bannerlord is a significant technical and gameplay achievement that builds on a cult classic without losing its soul. While not flawless, it rewards patience and creativity, offering a level of strategic freedom rarely matched in modern gaming. With continued support and community engagement, its legacy is likely to grow in the years to come.
Watch the trailer:
