Mount & Blade Warband Torrent is an action strategy game developed and published by TaleWorlds Entertainment. Mount & Blade Warband, which is also centered on a medieval backdrop, seems somewhat reminiscent of that. It already appeared a decade outdated upon its initial PC release in 2010, and a few minor enhancements to its Xbox One and PlayStation 4 debut do little to give it a remotely contemporary look. Minor variations on the same eight or so unattractive visages populate its six kingdoms.
Knights and peasants alike move awkwardly, resembling robots. Specifics like grass frequently disappear when you’re just a few yards away, and at times, the cumbersome gamepad controls become bothersome. Nevertheless, despite all this, it remains a roleplaying game that excels in portraying the journey from poverty to prosperity better than a game like Skyrim.
One of the standout aspects of Mount & Blade Warband Torrent Magnet is its broader scope. Only a handful of other combat-focused RPGs manage to create such a compelling illusion of a vibrant world. As you engage in activities like clearing bandits for lords or delivering missives for kings, the diplomatic dynamics of the neighboring kingdoms are in constant flux, potentially transforming once-safe journeys into perilous ventures just a few in-game days later. In contrast to the relatively static realm of the Elder Scrolls, this is not a place where the inhabitants idly await your actions before pursuing their own self-interest.
Nor is it a realm where an individual can carve out a niche for themselves through sheer determination and plot armor alone. You’re not a superhero in this realm, so captivity and setbacks occur frequently in the early stages, occasionally plunging you from near-greatness to abject poverty within moments. The frequent autosave for the single save file per character can be punishing, penalizing mistakes, or bouts of misfortune, like being overwhelmed by too many adversaries during chance encounters as you traverse the world map. Much like in many real-life situations, to endure in this harsh environment, assistance is imperative. More precisely, you’ll need a warband.
Control issues often hinder the combat experience as well. Multiple commands share the same buttons, complicating the enjoyment of the combat system that enables attacks from various angles. Given that the camera is linked to the right thumbstick, also utilized for directing these actions, there were instances when I inadvertently shifted my focus to the clouds while raising an axe overhead instead of keeping a vigilant eye on my adversary.
This can be rectified to some extent; a menu option permits sacrificing much of the combat depth that sets Warband apart by automating the selection of attack angles. However, this doesn’t entirely resolve other problems, such as accidentally triggering a disorienting perspective shift between first- and third-person by frequently pressing the left thumbstick.
Mount & Blade Warband Torrent might lack a meticulously guided narrative or visually appealing graphics, yet it successfully captures the essence of living in a medieval world, unlike many other games. It grants the freedom to determine your own path in a dynamic world marked by rapidly shifting alliances. The controls, at best, are unwieldy, making it challenging to fully appreciate the quality of the combat.
Nonetheless, there is a lot of enjoyment to be found here, particularly in the eight multiplayer modes accommodating up to 32 players. As someone who cherishes the PC version, I regret not being able to endorse the console version more enthusiastically; this port doesn’t entirely allow Mount & Blade’s charm to shine through.
Related Games:
Mount & Blade 2 Bannerlord Torrent
Mount & Blade Warband Torrent System Requirements
- OS *: Windows XP/7/8/10/11
- Processor: Intel Pentium 4 2.0 GHz
- Memory: 512MB RAM
- Graphics: 3D graphics card with 64MB RAM
- Hard Drive: 100 MB available space
