COVID-19 pandemic is shutting down game developers’ offices across the entire world, making companies shuffle their production schedule and release dates.
The development team of Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord is no exception. Extending sympathy to those affected, they acknowledged that they are lucky to be able to work remotely and stay healthy.
And yet, TaleWorlds’s dedication to their fans made them find a way to keep their early release of Mount & Blade II on schedule.
Oh, actually, the schedule did change: TaleWorlds moved the release date one day forward!
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the Early Access will now be available on March 30th through Steam, Epic Games Store, and on the TaleWorlds website!
Fearing that you might not be able to afford the release price of $49.99 right now?
Well, TaleWorlds has very good news for you: the game will be available for 10% off for the first two weeks, with the additional 10% for those who own Mount & Blade!
What a wonderful way to excite M&B fans and to demonstrate generous empathy for those impacted by the whirling chaos.
There is definitely a lot to love. But what will the players see in the Early Access version?
The game will feature the ongoing Mount & Blade II multiplayer beta with its 4 different game modes (Skimrish, Captain, Team Deathmatch, and Siege). The team plans on continuing their work on multiplayer, particularly on offering the ability to host private servers later down the line.
The spotlight of the Early Access release, however, will be on the singleplayer mode. Despite a few bugs, re-used scenes, and missing features at this moment, the updated continent of Calradia is very much ready to be explored! This time around, TaleWorlds worked in optional campaign missions with a satisfying conclusion, but the sandbox gameplay, quite familiar to the fans of Mount & Blade, can be fully enjoyed without it.
As it stands, you will be able to create your character with a unique backstory, explore the world with any companions you decide to take along with you, fight alongside your warbands and armies to conquer towns and castles, experience the upgraded combat mechanics, and, of course, progress and improve your character’s skills and equipment.
Many players are also very excited for the promised “dynamic sandbox” feel, with the new Kingdom Decision system that TaleWorlds has talked about in their earlier Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord development blogs. Kingdom laws, war declarations, annexations, and clans will be in player’s hands (well, and their vassals’ vote, as is warranted by a proper feudal kingdom).
We aren’t sure how many of such features will make it into the Early Access, but the 10-20% discount encourages giving an 8-year-old project a try in its current state, especially due to all the love TaleWorlds has shown the M&B series and their dedicated fans.
Still, if you would rather see the game in its finished state, TaleWorlds suggests you hold off on buying their creation until the full release.
That’s it from us. Hope you enjoy the game if you decide to get it tomorrow and please stay safe!
