This game is so much fun. I can play it for hours and hours even without mods. I got all the trophies so I figured I would post a review.

people these days always skip old games, and they r missing out!

i know ur reading this thinking "why on earth would i spend 30$ (australian) on a 16 yearold game. its graphics are ugly, and ive heard it has a much more modern sequal (mount and blade bannerlord)". well, give me 30 seconds to sell this absoulute gem to u... 3... 2... 1... GO!

1. MODS. the best part of this game by far is the infinte modding posiblities. u want to lead an army of 200 elves against a horde of orcs in middle earth, thers a lord of the rings mod for that. u want to get donw and dirty in the trenches of world war 1, u can do that. crusades, u can fight in them. star wars, yep theres that too. the most fun in this game is gonna be had playing one of the many, high quality, free mods in this game.

2.BATTLES. u get to raise an army and use it how ever u want. u can loot villages, siege castles, or declare all out war on the biggest faction in the game. seeing 200 of ur guys, line up in a shield wall, while archers rain down hell from a hilltop is sick. in first person, the battles are chaotic and brutal, fairly acurately recreating the chaos of a medieval battle field.

3. RPG MECHANICS. ill be completeley honest, when it comes to the rpg meahnics, this game is showing its age. HOWEVER, the way the complex politics unfold the further u go in the game is so interesting. its not for everyone, but the rpg/politics mechanics r quite fun and engaging.

4. NAPOLEONIC WARS DLC. if ur into multiplayer, this game also has that. the dlc (which regualrly goes on sale for like 5$) is some of the most fun ive had. servers r not the fullest, but u will still confidently be able to join a game. the jist of this dlc is this: u get to fight in napoleoonic line battles. as either infantry, cavalry or artillery. u get ur own squad of 30 guys to command against the enemy's squads. muchos enjoyable.

FINAL VERDICT dont let the old graphiics fool u, get ur self some mods, and get battling! 8.7/10




GOOD MODS:
prophesy of pendor (fantasy)
last days of the third age (lord of the rings)
li aiglne (napoleonic wars)
a world of ice and fire (game of thrones)
bannerpage (improved vanilla game)
for jerusalem (crusades)

those r the ones i can remember off the top of my head, but just type: mount and blade warband (insert theme here) mods in to google and u will find pelenty of options

Love the Game