First Look: Mount and Blade

Mount and Blade (MB) isn't your typical game - there aren't many titles out there that offer strategy, RPG and hack 'n slash elements in one medieval-styled package.

An intriguing concept certainly, which is lucky because the initial graphical impression is distinctly underwhelming. It kind of reminds me of that old MMO warhorse, Dark Age of Camelot, which is seriously getting on a bit now.

However, we here at Gamezine are above such petty aesthetic quibbling - if the underlying game is of a good quality, shoddy graphics can be forgiven.

MB seems set to offer a definite wealth of role-playing and character creation options, with the regular selection of tweakable facial features and the like.

Strategically, players will be offered a large map of the game world, with various kingdoms scattered about the place.

Each of these can be visited, where players should respect the local laws, pick up quests and see how each kingdom 'feels' about the others, diplomatically.

Later on in the game, when areas are under your control or affiliated to you, armies can come under your control and everyone can pile in for a big scrap.

This is all gravy, of course - Mount and Blade's combat is where the real meat of the game lies.

Combat is controlled from the third-person view, where you muck in with your troops and/or allies. You can let them get on with it or get involved, using the surprisingly fluid swing and block system.

Despite the awkwardness of some of the animations, it does seem to work quite well. Win the battle and you can get loot, experience points for levelling up and other goodies.

So, Mount and Blade is shaping up to at least be a unique entry into 2008's PC market. The graphics will put a lot of people off with their rudimentary nature, but underneath there is a pretty solid game wanting to break out.