Paradox Interactive reveals the secrets of battle in Mount & Blade

by Admin

Medieval Action-RPG game features revolutionary skill-based combat system

Paradox Interactive today revealed additional details about Mount & Blade, the upcoming single-player medieval combat title for the PC.

Developed by Turkish development house TaleWorlds Entertainment, the game will feature a unique combat system that accounts for players’ defensive reactions in battle, as well as their physical positioning when making attacks.

“What separates Mount & Blade from other action RPG’s is that that most RPG’s have more statistics-based combat, while we use skill-based combat,” explained Armagan Yavuz, Lead Programmer at TaleWorlds Entertainment.

“Even though the damage you do is influenced by the statistics of your character and his weapon, it is also based on physics formulas: the energy, speed and impact angle of the weapon. For example, if you are rapidly approaching your enemy while you’re mounted on a fast-moving horse, the damage will be much greater since the momentum of your horse is added to the speed of your weapon’s swing.”

In addition to its highly advanced combat dynamics, Mount & Blade features an open environment in which players can go anywhere to interact with characters and forge alliances—or conquer foes—throughout hundreds of villages, castles and towns.

The Story

War has come down on Calradia and war attracts its own bunch of misfits. Mercenaries, cutthroats, knights and adventurers flood into the land looking for adventure, fortune and glory. But war is a harsh master. It gives away death and grief to the lot, fortune to a chosen few, and glory, wise men say, to none. Still, men ride to war, for one or other reason. Some because they are looking for thrill and excitement, some because they are desperate and know no other way. Some because they are so bitter and hateful that they are willing to unleash doom on earth... And yet some, because they are the very heroes who will step forward to stop that...

The Game

Combining a sophisticated, dynamic game world and intense medieval swordfighting action, Mount&Blade strives to create a game experience never seen before. Playing Mount&Blade, you will venture through a world filled with daring enemies as well as friendly groups that will come to your aid or need yours. In a land torn by constant danger, raids and skirmishes, you will raise and lead your own war band, commanding dozens of hardened soldiers. You will hunt down your enemies following the tracks they leave behind. And you will fight epic battles where arrows cut the air with deadly hisses, axes and swords hack with fury, and horses and men clash into a violent melee.

Mount&Blade places you in a dynamic world alive with action and detail. NPC groups in this world are continuously active, journeying, looking for enemies and engaging in battles with each other, whether you are there to see them or not. It is, in a way, a very real world. Events unfold and some quests are resolved through the world’s own dynamics.

The Battles

Battles in Mount&Blade require a high degree of concentration and user involvement. A few powerful blows can take you down, and there is no such thing as a “healing potion”, therefore you must stay alert and parry or dodge each and every blow. This is difficult, but when you enter a pitched battle against five dark knights, and emerge as the last man standing, you will know that you deserve your reputation as the finest swordfighter in Calradia.

Even a formidable fighter can be overwhelmed by numbers and enemy parties tend to be strong in numbers in Mount&Blade. Therefore if you want to stand up against them, you will have to raise your own band of soldiers. Peasants will join your band with nothing more than their farming tools. And in the firebed of battles, they will either perish or be hardened into professional warriors, while you yourself will evolve from a lonesome adventurer to a seasoned and cunning commander, and a force to be reckoned with.

An absorbing world featuring vivid characters, realistic dialogues and intuitive quests adds to the excitement of the game and establishes the atmosphere. While being a light-weight game, Mount&Blade is nevertheless exciting, addictive, and revolutionary. We invite you to join in the fun and ride your horse to the adventures that await you in the Calradian plains...