I'm a big fan of certain total conversion mods for the Total War games - note, I think the unmodded, vanilla games are largely trash which wouldn't be worth my time without the mods. I've seen some mention a few times of the Mount and Blade games, and they are available cheap.

So should I check them out?

Bear in mind my number one priority is gameplay. By which I mean the thing I do in the game should be interesting and variable enough that just playing is fun. I have no patience for MMO-style grinding, where you do the same things over and again, just with different-looking things as you get more powerful. I don't much like games that come down to button-mashing alone, and I hate fiddly combat systems (like that in the Assassin's Creed games from ACIII onwards).

On graphics, I couldn't give a toss. I really don't care what cosmetic fripperies they've engaged to "stretch" the hardware, none of that does anything for me. As long as I can tell what's going on, and there's enough variety that I'm not looking at the same things most of the time, it's good enough for me. I don't think there's been a game since about 2010 I've seen that had graphics that made me go "that doesn't look very good". I can happily play Masters of Magic, and not be fussed at how basic and sometimes ugly the graphics are.

My next priority is historical accuracy. I have zero interest in fantasy anything, so for the first game that means recommendations on good historical mods. I'd prefer non-medieval; I understand With Fire and Sword is 17th century, which sounds interesting. I'd like a game where using historically effective tactics is actually a sensible thing to do, especially at the army level.

I'm ambivalent about multiplayer. I've seen it done well once (ME3's multiplayer), but mostly the prospect of playing with strangers doesn't hold any special appeal. So the single player has to be good enough to keep me in its own right.

Lastly, I hate Steam and will not use it. Is it required to install the game, or can it be purchased in a standalone version?

ok firstly there great games pick them up theres a bit of grinding in the sense you need to build up your army but its not to big a deal

bear in mind i have only ever played the first one and the demo of mount and blade

secondly i have to agree with you on graphics the only thing i care about for graphics are dynamic shadows im a complete graphics whore for dynamic shadows (i will still play games without them but man i love me some dynamic shadows)

luckily graphics are not viewed as important by the devs you dont need to worry about sacrificing gameplay for pretty colors

i dont really know how historically accurate it is it should be noted that its not set anywhere on earth its fictional nations

lastly you dont like steam what the fucks your problem you idiot steam is fucking awesome

oh and if i recall correctly combats pretty simple its block directions and swing directions and you can set auto block directions if you want

of course i was always a throwing knife guy so did not affect me much

also dont be a throwing knife user it never works

I tried the demo a couple years back and didn't really care for it, but I don't recall the reasons.  Maybe I should try it again...  Anyhow, the demo is free on Stea...

Quote from: Kiero;818461Lastly, I hate Steam and will not use it. Is it required to install the game, or can it be purchased in a standalone version?

...oh.  I assume the demo is probably available from other sources, too, but Steam is the only place I know of offhand to get it.

Quote from: tuypo1;818477lastly you dont like steam what the fucks your problem you idiot steam is fucking awesome

Call me old-fashioned, but why the fuck would I want some bloatware piece of "interface" that unnecessarily sits between me and my games, and requires an always-on internet connection? I don't need any of the "functionality" it supposedly provides, and I certainly don't need something verifying and reporting on my gaming activity, thanks.

Furthermore, I've seen the woes it causes to people using modded games, don't need that either.

thats just plain not true steam in no way requires always on internet

but that bit about reporting back that explains a lot i bet you hate google to because ma privacy

fuck privacy

Mount and Blade is a fun game, but not awesome. It's fun to ride around on horseback, clonking folks in the head...but there's alot missing, or at least was (been a few years since I've played).

Totally worth $5, and certainly can pay more if you're into FPS and action games.