Mount & Blade: Warband

With countless hours spent in Mount & Blade: Warband, I can confidently say that this game is a must-play for anyone who loves strategy, open-world exploration, and immersive combat. Whether you’re leading a massive army into battle or navigating the political intrigue of medieval kingdoms, Warband offers a rich, dynamic world that feels alive and full of opportunity. And if you’re looking for even more fun, the modding community has crafted some of the most amazing mods to completely transform your experience.

Here's why I highly recommend Mount & Blade: Warband:

~ GAMEPLAY ~
✅ Ace
The gameplay in Warband is a perfect blend of strategy, real-time combat, and role-playing. You create your own character, build your army, form alliances, and fight epic battles. The combat system is engaging, offering a lot of freedom and control over your actions. Whether you're fighting in a small skirmish or commanding a large army on a battlefield, the combat is satisfying and tactical. There’s a real sense of progression as you grow from a lone adventurer to a powerful lord or king.

~ DIFFICULTY ~
✅ Normal
The difficulty level in Warband is perfect for both new and experienced players. It’s not too easy, but it’s not overly punishing either. You’ll need to manage your resources, make strategic decisions, and improve your skills, but it’s all part of the fun. The game gets more challenging as you progress, especially if you decide to take on the responsibility of ruling a kingdom or waging wars across the land.

~ GRAPHICS ~
✅ Normal
While Warband doesn’t boast the most stunning graphics, its style is more than enough to create an immersive medieval atmosphere. The landscapes are beautiful, and the character models, though a bit dated, are still quite charming. The focus here is on the gameplay and world-building, and it works perfectly well.

~ STORY ~
✅ Some lore
Mount & Blade: Warband is not a story-driven game in the traditional sense, but it does offer a rich world with plenty of lore and factions. You can choose your path – whether it’s becoming a mercenary, a bandit, or a noble lord. The game’s open-ended nature means that your story is what you make of it. There’s always something new to discover, whether it’s exploring new towns or forging alliances with other factions.

~ LENGTH ~
✅ To infinity and beyond
This game has virtually endless replayability. Whether you want to become a king, conquer the world, or simply explore and help people in need, there’s no shortage of things to do. Every playthrough can feel different, thanks to the many choices available to you and the vast open world.

~ MUSIC ~
✅ Memorable
The music in Warband adds a lot to the immersion, with epic battle themes and atmospheric tracks that make every fight and every journey feel meaningful. While it doesn’t have a large soundtrack, the pieces that are there are memorable and fit the setting perfectly.

~ INTEREST ~
✅ You will remember it long after
There’s something about Warband that keeps you coming back. Whether it’s the satisfaction of leading your army to victory or the thrill of political maneuvering, this game will stick with you. The world is rich with opportunity, and the choices you make have real consequences. The freedom to shape your own destiny in this medieval world makes it an unforgettable experience.

~ REPLAYABILITY ~
✅ Infinitely replayable (or almost)
With all the different factions, strategies, and ways to play, Warband has virtually infinite replayability. Plus, the modding community has taken it to another level. There are mods like Middle-Earth, Star Wars, and A Song of Ice and Fire that completely overhaul the game and give it a fresh coat of paint with new worlds, characters, and gameplay mechanics. You could easily spend hundreds of hours exploring new mods and new ways to play the game.

Pros:
✔ Deep, open-world gameplay with a lot of freedom
✔ Engaging and satisfying combat system
✔ Great replayability, especially with mods
✔ A wide variety of playstyles, from political intrigue to large-scale warfare
✔ A vibrant modding community with amazing mods (Middle-Earth, Star Wars, etc.)

Cons:
✖ Some dated graphics and animations
✖ The learning curve can be steep for new players

In conclusion, Mount & Blade: Warband is a classic that still stands the test of time. It’s a game you can lose yourself in for hours, whether you’re battling in massive armies, exploring the open world, or simply enjoying the freedom to play however you like. With the added bonus of amazing mods, it’s an experience that only gets better over time. Definitely worth your time!

very fun able to lose hours in and the game has many re-play options

With over 1100 hours logged on Steam, and a few hundred more offline, I can say with full confidence that this is one of my favorite games that I have ever played. I can't offer deep analysis into the games systems and mechanics like some others can, but I've enjoyed quite a few harvesting seasons in my time.

For whoever decides to pick this nearly 15 year old game up (8 more days as of writing this), I wish you an absolutely glorious time in Calradia!!!! Don't let them drink from your skull!!

Amazing fun, especially with all the mods you can have. I really enjoyed the LOTR mods.

The base game plus the mods make this one of the best experiences I've ever had gaming

base game is great even better with mods

It is relaxing and stressful, real and fanciful, powerful and strong in the way it strikes into my desire to be a feudal lord. 10/10

Love to play it with the last days of the third age LOTR mod!

Become the ultimate warrior and general.

Recruit hundreds of units to invade your ennemies.
Swear allegiance to a lord only to later (If you wish) start your own kingdom.
Defend your castles from massive armies.
Marry your way into nobility,upgrade your villages to make life better for civilians and soldiers alike.
All of these are things you can do in this game. The graphics have certainly aged quite a bit but the gameplay more than makes up for it.

Mount & Blade Warband is one of the most extraordinary games ever made. It is with ease one of the greatest video games of all time and is everything that video gaming was and is supposed to be.

It created a perfect system for Horseback riding, archery, swordplay, and any combination of all of these things. From this springs the obvious potential for modding, some of the greatest game mods of all time belong to Warband. But in truth, the base game in and of itself is wonderful and something I just keep coming back to. I cannot recommend this game enough. If you love the medieval, if you love skill-based swordplay and archery, if you love medieval tactics, if you are looking for a true third based action RPG with both companions and armies at your disposal, then this game game is for you.

after 2 years of playing this game for free i wanna apologise to the studio because i play this masterpiece on crack for 600+hours i just but it last week in my welsh list to buy it but damn i got also f&s version and the original and DLs just for 5.32$ and i think this game will age with me just remember i will be able to break that 600+hours on steam record in no time in the last i type this review to just say this game is FUKING addicted and every body that's play it feel the same just check other review play time and in the end they ask me wold i commande it HELL YEAH

Don't let the graphics fool you It plays way better than it looks plus there are mods that are like entire new games. It's honestly more fun than Bannerlord.

This game was released in 2010, and the type of game, gameplay, what to do is amaizim still after the years. played almost 150 hours in this game but now i bought it on steam, becouse it deserve. if the main game bored you yea there are mods and great mods where you can expirience completely different story. This game is STILL better then the newer version Bannerlord that comes in 2022.

i love 2hu i love 2hu i love 2hu

the 2hu mod is really good

this game is really good, lots of mods and lots of paths to take

the gameplay is really engaging even in 2025, recommend

Literally the only thing lacking in this game is graphics, functionally it is one of the funnest games I have ever played. If only Bannerlord could've been a graphics remaster.

Mount & Blade: Warband remains a uniquely engaging medieval simulator that hasn't been properly replicated despite its age. Its janky charm and systems-based gameplay offer genuine freedom rarely found in modern games—but this freedom exists within a carefully constructed digital cage that's been selling the same experience for years while you pretend it's still 2010.

Can't get any single achievement even using the all achievements mod on macos, this bug still exists after so many years. Unlocked them with a win device then.

most fun i've had in a while. the ragdoll physics are great, and the range of motion in the attacks is great too, and the modding scene is to die for

12 out of 10
Timeless masterpiece which is heavily supported by it's community and mods. When you play it it really feels like you are a warband leader and roleplay factor makes it quite emercing. You can play as a brigand who struggles to survive. A loyal vassal to your liege. A rebelious warlord. A king who is trying to reunite Calradian Empire. A bandit that leaves no village unraided. A poor wagabond looking for mercenary contracts. AND THAT IS IN ONE SAVE ( or different saves which is just easier =D ).
The only limitation is your creativity and creativity of modders.

The best full overhaul mods that I ever seen in gamedev. Only game that is comparable to M&B is Minecraft.

Cons: game looks really old for 2010 and whith that much game mechanics it is really easy to have errors while playing. Also, at start it's looks quite challenging to win a battle ( f1 + f3 for life ).

Still one of the best open RPG games ever made. Limitless amounts of fun, and playability. Have played for over 6 years now.

It looks like garbage but it's actually one of the best damn games out there. I probably played 500 hours pre-steam

Great game, especially when you get into the mods. 100% recommend even in 2025

A really good game for my little brother easy gameplay and so fun

Fun campaign and really fun multiplayer

This is medieval sandbox character action game with a large modding scene active to this day.

As far as I'm concerned, this is an evergreen classic. Easy recommendation.

truly amazing game if you like medieval settings, not only that, the mods are worth to try as well!

Must buy for any RPG players. The native game is mediocre so make sure to download mods like Perisno, Pendor or any other overhaul mods. Theres a small learning curve especially for early game characters

While the game is deceptively dated looking at first glance, it is actually quite fun. You have quite a wide variety of replayability, as it is not linear in the standard sense of the word, as you are dropped in the world and can pretty much choose what to do next. Be a bandit? Sure, go right ahead. A fledgling mercenary offering your services to the highest bidder, a ruler, a warmongerer, or just a guy going to all the jousting events in every nation.

Combat is surprisingly nice, and the vibes are cool, if a bit retro.

I recommend it.

who would not enjoy raising armies and storming/defending castles and fortresses, leveling up and recruiting a unique group of elites pals who eventually become lords in your empire? i've beaten the game like 3 times and I'm about to do it again. oldie but a goodie.

horribly old graphics and what not. but is still a solid game to spend hours on

The game is very good, even in 2025 it is still worth it.

It provides a wealth of possibilities, mixing RPG and Total War, the graphics are dated but not horrible. The community makes awesome mods too, for example the Lord of The Rings convertion called "The Last Days of the Third Age", it is addicting, I love it.

Game is awesome. Takes a bit to learn everything but still an awesome game

The game isn't good. I lost track of time and now it's morning.

The graphics and animations are dated, the gameplay is timeless. Makes me wish there were more games like it that had any intention of being finished products. Warband still has some janky bits, but aside from some development on Viking Conquest, this game won't release an art and crash fix patch every few months that breaks all of your mods.

If you aren't after nicer graphics, stick to Warband, perhaps mod the hell out of it and realize you actually have four or five similar games because of the depth of mods.
If you are after nicer graphics, get Bannerlord and do your best to ignore features that still don't work or even exist.

Yes, I am still mad, but Warband is good.

This is an addicting game, to those that loves RPG, Strategy, Management, FPS/TPS action, all of that are in this game, you won't regret it! More interesting feature is this game is moddable, there are a lot of amazing mods that would fullfill your fantasies such as, Paradigm Worlds, Perisno, Song of Ice and Fire (AGOT), and even the Viking Conquest is awesome! So i absolutely recommend this game!

Crack in video game form. Becomes cocaine with overhaul mods.

One of the best modable games, mods are essential

it is 2010, i am in the army in iraq, and i am playing warband.
it is 2015, i am getting married to the love of my life, and i am playing warband.
it is 2020, i am stuck inside due to a global pandemic, and i am playing warband.
it is 2025, i am preparing my oldest child for 2nd grade, and i am playing warband.

the more things change the more they stay the same. my favorite game of all time.

"Mount & Blade: Warband – The Medieval Sandbox That Lets You Conquer, Fail, and Try Again (And Again)"

Mount & Blade: Warband is the kind of game that sneaks up on you. At first glance, it looks like a simple medieval RPG with clunky graphics and an unpolished interface. But beneath its rough exterior lies one of the most addictive, open-ended experiences in gaming history. It’s part strategy, part action, and 100% chaos—a sandbox where you can be a knight, a bandit, a merchant, or just some guy who really likes punching horses.

Let’s start with combat, the heart of Warband . Mounted battles are exhilarating, especially when you’re charging into a group of enemies with a lance, sending them flying like ragdolls. Melee combat feels weighty and satisfying, rewarding skill and timing over button-mashing (most of the time). Archery? Tricky but rewarding—there’s nothing quite like picking off an enemy commander from across the battlefield. Of course, the AI-controlled allies sometimes act like confused toddlers, running headfirst into danger or standing around while arrows rain down on them. But hey, that’s part of the charm!

The real magic of Warband , though, is its freedom. There’s no linear storyline forcing you down a specific path—you’re dropped into the world of Calradia and told to figure it out yourself. Want to become a wandering mercenary, climbing the ranks by fighting for various factions? Go for it. Prefer to build your own kingdom, recruiting soldiers and besieging castles? You can do that too. Or maybe you just want to rob villagers and sell their grain at inflated prices? No judgment here. The possibilities are endless, and every playthrough feels unique.

Sieges are another highlight, offering a mix of tactical planning and chaotic melee. Will you storm the walls with ladders, smash through the gates with siege engines, or starve the defenders into submission? Each approach has its pros and cons, and victory often comes down to luck as much as skill. And let’s not forget the thrill of commanding your troops during battle—it’s incredibly satisfying to bark orders and watch your army execute a perfect flanking maneuver… unless they ignore you entirely, which happens more often than you’d think.

Of course, Warband isn’t without its flaws. The graphics haven’t aged well, the UI is clunky, and the lack of hand-holding can feel overwhelming for newcomers. Diplomacy is hilariously broken—if you have enough money, you can bribe lords into betraying their kings faster than you can say “medieval politics.” And don’t even get me started on how easy it is to accidentally declare war on everyone because you clicked the wrong option in a menu.

But despite these quirks, Warband shines because of its sheer depth and replayability. Every decision matters, every battle feels earned, and every failure teaches you something new. Whether you’re leading a massive army to victory, getting ambushed by bandits in the middle of nowhere, or awkwardly trying to romance a lord’s daughter, the game never stops surprising you.

At its core, Mount & Blade: Warband is a celebration of player agency and medieval mayhem. It’s raw, unpolished, and occasionally frustrating—but also deeply rewarding and endlessly entertaining. If you’ve ever dreamed of ruling your own kingdom, charging into battle on horseback, or just causing absolute chaos in a medieval world, this is the game for you.

Rating: 9/10 – A flawed but unforgettable masterpiece that lets you live out your wildest medieval fantasies.

+ Fun gameplay loop
+ After a while everything becomes automatic and you can just zone out and enjoy
+ Excellent total conversion mods
- I need to go to bed

mount and blade warband is a fantastic sandbox rpg which has you managing both a party a map based screen, and fighting other parties within a third person or first person perspective.

you can besiege castles, marry, form your own kingdom, or conquer others in the name of your lord.

some of the systems are showing their age a little bit, the inventory system for me specifically, but it is still a good game overall.

the game also has a large modbase, with there being many mods all the way from a brittanic mod that will turn your game into the early british isles, to a mod that turns the map into a star wars galaxy, with you going between planets in a ship.

8/10 but 9/10 for nostalgia

10/10 would run circles trying to joust for 20 minutes in the tournament again (amazing game, highly recommend).

Found the wrong woman, always asking to beat her other suitors for fun. Ditched the hoe and conquered my own castle and lands: Land over hoes.

been playing since I was 12 and never had a problem with this game. This is elite gaming and super fun.

I have been playing this long before Bannerlord and can conclude both are absolute bangers. Bannerlord, however, does bring a lot of changes/additions that are great to the game, in my opinion.

Nonetheless, playing Warband just hits different. It's the OG.

Regarding mods, Warband has a giant collection of great singlerplayer mods (in and outside the Workshop) - Something that I couldn't find in Bannerlord.

Well.. I’ve played a bit.. what can I say? Outrageous.. I’m just at a loss for words, really. Ironman mode. 100 hours into the game. You only have one single save file. It gets corrupted. You lose everything including your sanity.

By and large, I’m not touching this game ever again. And you can’t call me out on that because it’s justified.
If you still want to buy the game, watch out for tons and tons of bugs and corrupted save files. And there’s nothing to make up for it to make it worth playing.

I’m not grumbling but If the developers don’t give any single flying f… about their own game, WHY SHOULD I?? Ultimately, I regret my life choices and having wasted more than 500 hours playing this UNWORTHY and unfinished, abandoned game. Bye.

bought this game on a whim because it was on sale and could run on my horrible specs when i first started pc gaming, had no idea at the time i was paying $2 for one of the greatest games i would ever play. do yourself a favor and experience this masterful sandbox.

It's a fun game.
Medieval combat,
Medieval money management,
Sea Raiders saying they'll drink from your skull, even if you outnumber them ten to one,
Being chased down by an enemy war party,
Your party losing 3 morale because you ran out of food herding cattle to some backwater village,
All while some passing Farmers remind you that "It's almost harvesting season!"
Good stuff.

The perfect niche of strategic campaign and thrilling combat that NO other studio has tried to replicate. The graphics may not be ideal, but that doesn't matter when you're having FUN. You can choose to mow down enemies or sit in the back and command your troops. You can create your own empire or build relations with the characters in your realm. Everything is about creating the best combat / strategy game to simulate an ancient empire.

Not to mention that there are many mods developed over 15 years now. When this is on sale for dirt cheap, you HAVE to get it.

I used to play it but didn't buy it from steam. Now that I paid for it, I can tell you that it's worth it, and don't forget to try out the mods.