Warbanding Free: Mount & Blade 2's Overworld Map
In the world, overworld, warbanding free
What a Christmas miracle it would be for Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord [official site] to arrive just in time to be a holiday escape! I mean, it would be. It hasn't and it won't. I'm sorta sorry if I got your hopes up? This is why I only receive coal every year (but I'm a practical sort and value useful gifts over trinkets and baubles, so nuts to you Saint Nick). However, what we can have is a wee devblog post from developers Taleworlds going into what's new with the medieval warfare sandbox RPG's overworld map and world simulation.
Sure, Mount & Blade has all those sieges and skirmishes and board games in tavern, but the overworld is the bit driving all that. Presented as a world map, it sees bandits and armies roaming around, simulations driving trade, and all the things that make it a real git to master. Sounds like the world itself will be more important this time, though. Taleworlds say:
"The topography of the map is not entirely consistent with Warband, in fact Bannerlord's map is somewhat more mountainous. The effect of this is an increase in the number of choke points. It will be hard to avoid conflict, for instance, when traversing narrow passes through mountain ranges that may be riddled with ambush spots or enemy patrols. Tactically, the map offers many more options for controlling areas that serve as trade routes. Battles are often fought in the game to contest key choke points with the goal of securing passage for trade caravans and other parties. As a player, it is important to consider what kind of warfare you are likely to end up in, before sacrificing relations with a faction. If your speciality is skirmishing on foot over rough terrain, you might for example avoid engaging the Aserai, who will have higher mobility in the open desert."
Neat-o! I could quote more chunks, or you could read the full post yourself. Look, it's the day before the last day or the working year, and I'm frustrated that I'm not allowed to bring in games today or wear my own clothes.
Still no firm word on when we'll get to play Bannerlord.