Off Topic: Mount and Blade review on Gamespot

[sector24]

http://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/mountandblade/review.html

I figure some of you will be interested in seeing how the corporate machine treats the game. ;)

[DonCorazon]

I was just looking at this game on Metacritic - what do people here think of it?

[JaghataiKhan]

Our Turkish Gaming pride will live in our hearts forever, regardless of what people say...

Although even the fat corporations respect the awesome combat system. As for the need of a storyline, apparently the average consumer WANTS to be fed a story. Imagine your own, console kids!

[Sombre]

It's an ok game. I don't get why people go so nuts over it when the ai is horrible and the combat system actually isn't deep at all. It mostly involves running backwards while timing basic swings.

I enjoyed the LOTR mod for it and played for several weeks. This was about a year ago, maybe more. I tried it again fairly recently and it has hardly changed.

[Sombre]

Our Turkish Gaming pride will live in
As for the need of a storyline, apparently the average consumer WANTS to be fed a story. Imagine your own, console kids!

By the way I find this post ridiculous.

If you're that into imagination, why play a computer game at all? Imagine your own adventure! Pretending that the lack of story is a /feature/,.... wow.

As for the swipe at console gamers, I am principally a console gamer myself and I don't like your attitude.

[JaghataiKhan]

Our Turkish Gaming pride will live in
As for the need of a storyline, apparently the average consumer WANTS to be fed a story. Imagine your own, console kids!

By the way I find this post ridiculous.

If you're that into imagination, why play a computer game at all? Imagine your own adventure! Pretending that the lack of story is a /feature/,.... wow.

As for the swipe at console gamers, I am principally a console gamer myself and I don't like your attitude.

You are free to like or dislike, but the Taleworlds always insisted that they intended a sandbox game, I forgot saying that. I have been in the forums all the time, talked to Armagan, the maker of the game and moderated the forums for a while. These game reviewers simply expect an Oblivion to fulfill their wishes, they measure the quality of a VW beetle amongst a race of Ferraris and Lamborghinis.

As for console games. They are merely button-mashing madness that have very little principle in the kernel of the design, but merely "make combos, strike the enemy before you get hit, avoid getting hit and slash" combat. Maybe it is me that grew up with intense details of Xcom series, Champion of Krynn,Simcity, playing Ports of call when 9 years old, spending hours to manage a transport company that may not be for a 9 year old. I resent consoles for that, as I every game I played from a console was same to me, Legacy of Kain,Devil May cry,Shinobi or God of War. Not to mention copycat hordes of Japanese RPG's with all look alike designs and all the flashy animations.

Not that I dislike Legacy of Kain's design, but the whole series was a boring grind of combos and jumps.

[Ballbarian]

The Gamespot review (in my opinion) is way off base. Mount & Blade is extremely addictive and I bought it shortly after trying the demo run. It has some very original concepts and was a much needed break from the typical RPG and FPS templates. The reviewer comments on how ugly the game's graphics are, while I found myself thinking how beautiful and detailed it was.

BTW Sector24:
You should preface your topic with "OT" (Off Topic)
Thanks! :)

[Sombre]

As for console games. They are merely button-mashing madness that have very little principle in the kernel of the design, but merely "make combos, strike the enemy before you get hit, avoid getting hit and slash" combat. Maybe it is me that grew up with intense details of Xcom series, Champion of Krynn,Simcity, playing Ports of call when 9 years old, spending hours to manage a transport company that may not be for a 9 year old. I resent consoles for that, as I every game I played from a console was same to me, Legacy of Kain,Devil May cry,Shinobi or God of War. Not to mention copycat hordes of Japanese RPG's with all look alike designs and all the flashy animations.

Not that I dislike Legacy of Kain's design, but the whole series was a boring grind of combos and jumps.

The games you mentioned are similar because they are all in the same genre. I would think that's obvious. It's like playing age of wonders, dom3, heroes of might and magic and warlords and saying all PC games have basic graphics, are turn based, contain zero action and have rubbish stories. The very first thing you said about them makes it pretty clear you have virtually no knowledge of console games and will continue making baseless generalisations. So I'm not going to argue with you.

[Adept]

It's an ok game. I don't get why people go so nuts over it when the ai is horrible and the combat system actually isn't deep at all. It mostly involves running backwards while timing basic swings.

Lies, the combat is awesome :cool:

I study European swordplay (the hand-and-half longsword), and M&B is the only game where swordplay actually feels like swordplay at all.

Also fighting from horseback is wicked cool, and no other game let's you do that. Maybe you have the AI setting on too low? Put realism to 100% and play in first person mode, it's a rush!

[Sombre]

I played on the highest difficulty levels. I didn't find the combat deep at all. Basically invest in athletics and run backwards in circles while all the enemies chase after you. Of course that being lame, I didn't fight that way, but it was still just block, swing, block swing, much like oblivion. Horseback was good and the big battles were a lot of fun though. It's definitely a strong point of the game, but it's far from deep or realistic. Most 1 on many fights are like a benny hill sketch.

[Adept]

Each to their own then. I absolutely hate the combat in Oblivion, and find M&B really fun and challenging.

[sector24]

I didn't see off topic as a prefix, but I did add it in the title. Speaking of off topic, has anyone bought the new King's Bounty or plan to? I'd like to get a first-hand account on the quality of that game.

[Jazzepi]

The only game I've ever found that did justice to sword based combat was Die by the Sword. If you haven't played it, you should get a copy.

Jazzepi

[HoneyBadger]

I play console games too-Playstation 2, mostly (great console, but I miss my Sega Genesis). My current favorites are 'Neo Contra', the 'GTA' series (yes, a very guilty pleasure-I prefer San Andreas, but my wife likes Vice City better), 'Soul Caliber 2, Giants: Citizen Kabuto, Fatal Frame 2, Shining Force EXA, and Monster Rancher 3 (Arguably, an even guiltier pleasure than GTA).

All extremely different from one another.

I own 'Barbarians', which is similar to Soul Caliber 2, 'Siren', which is arguably similar to 'Fatal Frame' (but not really, in terms of gameplay), and 'Scarface', which is *very* similar to GTA, in terms of gameplay, but reasonably different in story--because, as Sombre said, they're of similar genres.

We also have 'Silpheed', Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, the Sims, and all the 'Hitman' games (my wife likes those better than I do), and God of War. Each of them is a totally separate entity, and of any of the other games we own, none of them are much like God of War.

[JimMorrison]

That's awesome that your wife plays GTA and Hitman. :P Does she have a sister? ;)

[lch]

Speaking of off topic, has anyone bought the new King's Bounty or plan to? I'd like to get a first-hand account on the quality of that game.
Played the demo, liked it a lot, just bought the game on GamersGate and I'm still downloading it. You can get an impression yourself by trying out the demo. GamersHell has fast mirrors with it.

[HoneyBadger]

She does, actually-but her sister is married with 2 kids, and one on the way...

You ought to move to Utah though-I work from home, and the company I work for is like 80% women-and probably 50% of those are stewardesses :p

[JimMorrison]

She does, actually-but her sister is married with 2 kids, and one on the way...

You ought to move to Utah though-I work from home, and the company I work for is like 80% women-and probably 50% of those are stewardesses :p

Are stewardesses more likely to be gamers than the average woman? This computer addict needs to know. :P

I drove through Utah once, I thought I was in Sweden, and I didn't stop drooling until we reached New Mexico. :re:

[HoneyBadger]

Well, they're more likely to want to travel, and while they're gone, you can get in some important game-time :)

[JimMorrison]

But I don't want them to just go away so I can game - I have that part well covered already. :doh:


What I want, is a wonderful lady to tank while I spank..... to snipe while I sweep..... to plot while I scheme. :p I want a life partner, AND a virtual life partner. :happy:

[sector24]

A woman like that is like a low paying job. When you're unemployed all you can think about is a job so you can get some money. But when you have a low paying job all you can think about is quitting or getting a better job.

[HoneyBadger]

Wait 20 years or so and you can probably buy one-a virtual life partner, that is.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Actroid

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_Woman

After all, 20 years ago, I was playing Atari...

[sum1lost]

Our Turkish Gaming pride will live in
As for the need of a storyline, apparently the average consumer WANTS to be fed a story. Imagine your own, console kids!

By the way I find this post ridiculous.

If you're that into imagination, why play a computer game at all? Imagine your own adventure! Pretending that the lack of story is a /feature/,.... wow.

As for the swipe at console gamers, I am principally a console gamer myself and I don't like your attitude.

You are free to like or dislike, but the Taleworlds always insisted that they intended a sandbox game, I forgot saying that. I have been in the forums all the time, talked to Armagan, the maker of the game and moderated the forums for a while. These game reviewers simply expect an Oblivion to fulfill their wishes, they measure the quality of a VW beetle amongst a race of Ferraris and Lamborghinis.

As for console games. They are merely button-mashing madness that have very little principle in the kernel of the design, but merely "make combos, strike the enemy before you get hit, avoid getting hit and slash" combat. Maybe it is me that grew up with intense details of Xcom series, Champion of Krynn,Simcity, playing Ports of call when 9 years old, spending hours to manage a transport company that may not be for a 9 year old. I resent consoles for that, as I every game I played from a console was same to me, Legacy of Kain,Devil May cry,Shinobi or God of War. Not to mention copycat hordes of Japanese RPG's with all look alike designs and all the flashy animations.

Not that I dislike Legacy of Kain's design, but the whole series was a boring grind of combos and jumps.

I lold. I used to frequent M&B forums, and you got banned from the forums repeatedly, not to mention losing your moderator privileges.
It's an ok game. I don't get why people go so nuts over it when the ai is horrible and the combat system actually isn't deep at all. It mostly involves running backwards while timing basic swings.

Lies, the combat is awesome :cool:

I study European swordplay (the hand-and-half longsword), and M&B is the only game where swordplay actually feels like swordplay at all.

Also fighting from horseback is wicked cool, and no other game let's you do that. Maybe you have the AI setting on too low? Put realism to 100% and play in first person mode, it's a rush!
I've done my share of swordplay as well, (hand and half, heavy sabre, a little Iaido, and foil, though I've lately been doing collegiate fencing to the exclusion of the others (its simply better organized and easier to find matches.) M&B feels nothing like swordplay. Its completely composed of hard blocks rather than parries, for one, and the strikes are simply stupid.

I do, however, like the combat, as it can get fun with some role playing. I prefer the mods where you actually get some story/plot to go with it, so it feels like there is a point to smashing people with a falchion.

[Gandalf Parker]

Every game exists positioned on various sliding scales. There are games for every player, and players for every game. But no game will ever satisfy all players.

Personally I think that Mount and Blade sounds like something I would enjoy, for the very reasons that some others dont like it.

Gandalf Parker

[JaghataiKhan]

I lold. I used to frequent M&B forums, and you got banned from the forums repeatedly, not to mention losing your moderator privileges.

Yes, I am banned due to my repeatedly vociferous atheism. You lol'd? Not even laughed? A fine display of intelligence.

[sector24]

Speaking of off topic, has anyone bought the new King's Bounty or plan to? I'd like to get a first-hand account on the quality of that game.
Played the demo, liked it a lot, just bought the game on GamersGate and I'm still downloading it. You can get an impression yourself by trying out the demo. GamersHell has fast mirrors with it.

Turns out my GeForce FX 5900 isn't powerful enough to run the game. :( Possibly time to upgrade...

[Sombre]

Yes, I am banned due to my repeatedly vociferous atheism. You lol'd? Not even laughed? A fine display of intelligence.

So glad you joined our boards :re:

[PyroStock]

Also fighting from horseback is wicked cool, and no other game let's you do that.

?

Two Worlds (so I would be surprised if the sequel/expansion didn't have it)
Sacred (so I would be surprised if Sacred2 didn't have it)
NWN1 (with patches/mods) (maybe NWN2?)

And those are all fairly old games now. I wouldn't be surprised if there were more I didn't know about.

[Aezeal]

who doesn't get banned on a forum every once in a while..
/me relives the sweet utopia days

[Sombre]

who doesn't get banned on a forum every once in a while..

Me. Normal people.

[Ballbarian]

For anyone else who may have missed it (like I did), armagan has announced the release of Mount & Blade version 1.003 and posted download links here:
http://forums.taleworlds.net/index.php/topic,45208.0.html

I have not had the chance to play the new version and I am under the impression that this is not considered a final, stable release yet. It has not even been announced on the main M&B page. I have not located a list of changes or additions so I may have to set aside some time to play and find out the hard way. :)

[lch]

I've just received an email from GamersGate, where I bought the game "King's Bounty: The Legend" for digital download, that they have Mount & Blade for 70% off, and thus effectively at 7.99.

http://www.gamersgate.com/index.php?page=product&what=view&sku=DD-TWMB

[Gokufan1988]

Mount and Blade freakin owns

Some screenshots for the uninitiated
http://j.photos.cx/mb1-f49.jpg
http://j.photos.cx/mb2-972.jpg
http://j.photos.cx/Cat1-6f9.jpg

[Sombre]

If you were trying to get people excited about it you picked some awful screenshots for the job.

[Fantomen]

Only close combat system that really appealed to me is the one in Lugaru. I wish some bigger companies would pick up the concept.

Haven´t tried M&B but it looks ok.

[DonCorazon]

If you were trying to get people excited about it you picked some awful screenshots for the job.

Are you telling me that a battle to the death with a levitating house cat does not get your adrenalin pumping? Tis the stuff of legends.

[Calchet]

It was levitating?

Bah, and here I was considering getting the game for the EPIC TITANIC CATS OF DISTANT HILLS.

[Endoperez]

Only close combat system that really appealed to me is the one in Lugaru. I wish some bigger companies would pick up the concept.

Haven´t tried M&B but it looks ok.

The combat system in M&B is cool, although not as good as Lugaru. The ranged combat works great, and the bows feel very different from the guns you usually see in games. Horses were also handled very well, IMO. A good horse will cost a ridiculous amount of money, but will also devastate many opponents.
It's also much better than the screenshots imply. Those looked to be from some weird mods, probably something Star Wars-ish and then a cave man survival mod or something.

Regarding Lugaru, you do know about the sequel that's currently in early alpha? Small team, big plans.

[AdmiralZhao]

That cat picture is hilarious. I love the details, like how there is actually a second warrior helping him battle the cat, and how his inventory apparently consists of 3 squirrels.

[Strider]

Do not post any more negative personal remarks against each other.

[lch]

Strider, I think you're either reading too much into this, or you're half a year late with that comment?

[Gokufan1988]

If you were trying to get people excited about it you picked some awful screenshots for the job.

That was the joke. I wasn't joking when I said it owned though. I've spent more time with/had more fun with M&B than any game a mainstream company has released in at least 5 years.

[hEad]

At $7.99, do your self a favour and nab it. The variety of mods on offer and those still in the pipe line, ensure this baby will continue to evolve in to something special!

It deserves a shot at that price.

(Don't know how much the devs will get of that, but you can't have too many customers.)

[Strider]

Strider, I think you're either reading too much into this, or you're half a year late with that comment?

My apologies...to me it was a new thread...didn't see the older dates on the first few posts.

[Dedas]

Sombre has his points but that doesn't make this game less awesome. It is as mentioned addictive much thanks to a nice flow of battle. Dismissing it because it isn't deep enough means that you also can dismiss 99% of all sword fighting games; in them you won't even get wet.

It is cheap, fun and still under development with free updates, what more could you ask for?

[Sombre]

There are better games for the price, so I'd ask for them.

And I'm actually a fan of M&B. The LOTR mod for it was excellent.

[Gokufan1988]

There are better games for the price, so I'd ask for them.

And I'm actually a fan of M&B. The LOTR mod for it was excellent.

Which games do you have in mind? I honestly can't think of any. Unless of course you mean classic games that have been out forever like X-com, but most people who would be interested in those have probably already played them to death.

[Dedas]

I concur with Goku, can't think of any for that price.