tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36733892.post1888595363369033321..comments2024-03-22T11:13:26.808+00:00Comments on Life is a Mind Bending Puzzle: Shattered Delusions: Mount and Bladembphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09037758442729422620noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36733892.post-85451780422657656922008-10-05T08:31:00.000+00:002008-10-05T08:31:00.000+00:00Thank you @anonymous. I am delighted to read a pos...Thank you @anonymous. I am delighted to read a positive review of Mount and Blade. I always knew there was a diamond in there, its just hidden a bit in some rough packaging. I guess I was surprised that even though I had played beta versions I still found it hard to follow what was going on. The old reliable starter quest used to be defeating river pirates but now that seems to be gone or at least hard to find and the other quests I picked up seem to be beyond me. I fully agree with you about the thrilling combat though. It stands head and shoulders over any other implementation of sword bashing I have every played.<BR/><BR/>Hey - you wrote a good review there. I hope you don't mind if I move it to the main post so it doesn't get lost in the comments section. You seem to enjoy writing Have you considered starting a blog?mbphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09037758442729422620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36733892.post-39064941638363602062008-10-04T22:26:00.000+00:002008-10-04T22:26:00.000+00:00Review of Mount & Blade v.1.003:Overall, I rea...Review of Mount & Blade v.1.003:<BR/><BR/>Overall, I really enjoy this game. In fact, I've shelved Guild Wars and Titan Quest since I began playing this game again. <BR/><BR/>Let's get the negative aspect taken care of first. This game really needed a better Tutorial. Although there is one which teaches you different techniques such as blocking, archery, melee [single, 2-handed] combat, the tutorial lacks giving the player guidance as to where to start.<BR/><BR/>After plodding through various villages and garrisons [towns] and castles, I was able to figure out my options.<BR/>Once I understood gameplay dynamics such as the various components affecting 'Party Morale', I was able to feel more at ease. Perhaps the retail hardcopy version in stores include a decent Instruction manual. Yet, as of v.1.003, this game does not lend any in-game assistance for new players. This was a big strike against the game.<BR/><BR/>Yet, muster through this initial confusion and you will find a very rewarding medieval simulator with beautiful sounds,visuals and a well thought out 'Character' screen where every single point spent on an 'attribute','skill' or 'proficiency' has a very real effect on your characters advancement. <BR/>For example, archery. Initially I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn if I tried because my 'Archery' proficiency was very low. Over the course of leveling up, I discovered that my aiming became much more accurate due to investing points into 'Power Draw','Horse Archery'[Skills] and 'Archery'[Proficiency]. <BR/>Simply by using a weapon, you will become Proficient in the use of that weapon over time as well.<BR/><BR/>Game dynamics as follows: You begin as a Mercenary with 1 of the 5 Factions. Eventually you may wish to chose a Faction and help them defeat the others. By choosing a Faction, you are eventually rewarded a village and castle, both of which you should protect from invaders.<BR/><BR/>From tournament battles to castle sieges, from trading goods to upgrading equipment. This game has it all. I especially enjoy the real feel of the horse you ride and the clash of swords hitting each other. Or the sound of a 2-handed axe smashing through a shield. Better yet, rushing forward on your horse while holding your shield up, just in time to hear 4 arrows thunk into the shield. <BR/>Ok...you get the point. I'm having a blast with it. It's one of the most enjoyable games I've ever played.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36733892.post-46664033523620491272008-09-27T18:52:00.000+00:002008-09-27T18:52:00.000+00:00Hi Melf. Mount and Blade doesn't do itself any fav...Hi Melf. Mount and Blade doesn't do itself any favours in wooing new players sadly but I assure you it really is great when you get the hang of it. I don't think any other game comes close in terms of the quality of the mounted combat. It just isn't a commercial game however and it looks bad when judged as one.mbphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09037758442729422620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36733892.post-56510468064333354902008-09-26T21:47:00.000+00:002008-09-26T21:47:00.000+00:00I know what you mean, after reading about Mount an...I know what you mean, after reading about Mount and Blade I was keen to try the beta too, epsecially for the way the combat sounded. About 6 months ago I downloaded it.<BR/><BR/>I found the combat to be really difficult, and I had absolutely no idea what I was supposed to be doing at the start of the game. Crap tutorials are an auto-fail for me, I have a zero tolerance policy for them.Melf_Himselfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09989146159619414666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36733892.post-90062282918464679402008-09-24T14:44:00.000+00:002008-09-24T14:44:00.000+00:00Good! Am enjoying the direction of the writing etc...Good! Am enjoying the direction of the writing etc.<BR/><BR/>Don't think it has made me too popular with the PR at a number of games companies but tough!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36733892.post-47828877585709729172008-09-23T21:44:00.000+00:002008-09-23T21:44:00.000+00:00Thanks DM. How goes things at your new "Construed"...Thanks DM. How goes things at your new "Construed" home?mbphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09037758442729422620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36733892.post-43992064906082576192008-09-23T14:32:00.000+00:002008-09-23T14:32:00.000+00:00Am struggling hard to think of a game that I haved...Am struggling hard to think of a game that I haved played recently that isn't a big title...<BR/><BR/>The games industry should give more hearsay to the fansite/blogger, as most games reviews are very much a 'copycat' affair ie scores, even reviews themselves.<BR/><BR/>Nice post mbp.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com