Is Mount And Blade Bannerlord Finished Worth Playing 2021

Alright, gather 'round, folks! Let's talk about Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord. You know, that game that promised us the medieval kingdom simulator of our dreams, then trapped us in Early Access like we were peasants stuck in a lord's harvest?

The big question on everyone's mind: Is it done yet? Is it finally, after all these years, worth forking over your hard-earned gold... I mean, denars?

The "Finished" Question: More Like "Functionally Finished"

Let's be honest, defining "finished" is tricky these days. It's like asking if your sourdough starter is "ready." Everyone has a different opinion! Technically, Bannerlord left Early Access in late 2022. But did it magically transform into a bug-free utopia overnight? Absolutely not. Think of it more like it graduated with a C+ average and a whole lot of potential.

Is it playable? Absolutely! Is it perfect? Well, let's just say I've encountered fewer game-breaking bugs than times I've accidentally declared war on the entire continent because I clicked the wrong dialogue option (which, surprisingly, is more often than I'd like to admit).

What's Actually Good? (And Why You Might Actually Enjoy It)

Okay, so what is there to love about Bannerlord? Plenty, actually! The core gameplay loop of raising your clan, commanding troops in massive battles, and scheming your way to the top of the political ladder is incredibly addictive.

Imagine this: You start as a humble nobody with a handful of recruits. You're basically medieval roadkill. Then, through clever trading, daring bandit raids (don't tell the authorities), and a healthy dose of luck, you build an army, conquer castles, and eventually become a king! Or queen! Gender equality in feudalism, who knew?

The battles are epic. Seriously, nothing beats charging into a chaotic melee with hundreds of soldiers clashing around you. Just try not to get arrowed in the face too often. Pro-tip: Invest in a good helmet. Your face will thank you.

And the mods! Oh, the mods. The Bannerlord modding community is vibrant and dedicated. They've added everything from total conversion overhauls set in Westeros (Game of Thrones) to tweaks that fix minor annoyances. Think of the base game as a delicious cake, and the mods as the decadent frosting. Just be careful not to over-mod and break everything. We've all been there.

The Not-So-Good: Brace Yourself for Reality

Now for the tough love. Bannerlord still has its quirks. The AI can be... questionable. Sometimes your allies will make strategic decisions that leave you scratching your head and muttering about the incompetence of medieval leadership.

The diplomacy can be a bit wonky too. Trying to form alliances can feel like navigating a medieval dating app. Everyone's got their own agenda, and getting them to agree on anything is harder than herding cats... wearing plate armor.

And let's not forget the dreaded grind. Building up your character and your clan takes time, patience, and a willingness to do repetitive tasks. Think of it as medieval busywork, but with the occasional chance to stab someone in the face. Silver linings, right?

So, Should You Buy It? The Verdict!

Ultimately, whether or not Bannerlord is "worth it" in 2023 (we're forward thinkers here!) depends on your tolerance for jank and your love of medieval sandbox games. If you're looking for a polished, bug-free experience, you might want to wait a bit longer. Maybe until 2077. Just kidding... mostly.

However, if you're willing to overlook some rough edges and embrace the chaos, Bannerlord can be an incredibly rewarding and addictive experience. Just remember to save often, invest in a good helmet, and be prepared to lose several hours (or days) of your life to conquering Calradia. You've been warned!

My final verdict: If you're even remotely interested in medieval strategy games, it's worth a shot. Just go in knowing what to expect, and maybe have a stiff drink ready for when the AI inevitably betrays you. Cheers!