Mount & Blade PC game

Mount&Blade is a 3D, open-ended, single-player, third- or first-person, computer role-playing game in beta stage of development, created and distributed by the Turkish development house TaleWorlds. Mount&Blade has a medieval setting, without any fantasy elements. Mount&Blade is notable for its emphasis on realistic cavalry combat, which was common in the era, but is largely absent in most RPG titles.

The player can directly control only one player character, which is created when a new game starts. A character class only serves as a template for future character development. Each "class" differs only in its starting attributes, skill points and equipment. There are no in-game restrictions on equipment or skill use based on class and gender. The maximum level of a skill and the use of certain equipment is linked to a related attribute. The player character's facial features are customizable. The face and hair can be changed at any time, should the player wish to do so. The player character may take sides with any one or none of the factions present in Calradia: The Swadian, Rhodok, Vaegir, Khergit, and Nord armies, or hunt down the various bandits and rogues that plague the region.

The gameplay is open, similar to games such as Elite or Darklands. The game currently has a skeleton plot and the player is free to do as he wishes. While combat is the main draw of the game, it is for the most part optional.

Characters can make money and gain experience by trading goods between towns. The game features a basic dynamic economy based on supply and demand.

The player's party can be formed by recruiting unique non-player characters (NPC), known as a hero or companion, or more generic soldiers. The player can increase his maximum party size by either investing in certain skills, or earning renown by winning battles.

The player can develop the skills of his character and companions over the course of the game. Certain skills affect the party as a whole, so companions can be used to complement the skills of the player character. Skills can be improved by gaining levels or reading and holding books.

The player can also own a fief, a faction-related village given to the player by the faction leader. Mercenaries can also be obtained at a tavern, and prisoners can be rescued from enemy parties. Prisoners that the player character captures during battle can also be forced to join the player's party, though they will often desert the player. As these generic soldiers fight, they will gain experience and can be upgraded into stronger, more specialized soldiers. Soldiers will often have multiple upgrade paths.

The player can siege enemy castles, towns, and villages. If the player wins the siege, his faction takes control of the territory. Occasionally, the faction leader will reward a captured territory to the player. The player also has the option of declaring seccesion from his liege and owning an independent state. This option comes after being refused control of a fief that the player captured.

No multi-player option exists, nor is one planned.

Every kingdom also has a rival claimant to the throne. Should the player choose to back this claimant, then a civil war occurs between the rebels of that faction and the loyalists of that faction. The tournament system has been revised, the graphics overhauled, and the game rebalanced.