Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord - War Sails: Viking Adventures and Glitchy Waters

Sailing the high seas with a side of lag

Launch Day Larry

Ahoy, fellow adventurers! Grab your oars and prepare to set sail into the Nordic-inspired world of “Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord - War Sails.” This latest DLC promises to whisk you away on a Viking quest filled with ship battles, coastal raids, and enough performance issues to make even the most seasoned sailor seasick. Let’s dive into the choppy waters of gameplay, graphics, and story to see if this expansion is worth the voyage.

Gameplay: A Sea of Potential with a Few Icebergs

“War Sails” introduces a treasure trove of new mechanics that breathe fresh life into the naval gameplay of Bannerlord. The addition of ship battles, boarding actions, and coastal raids offers a tactical depth that fans of the series have been clamoring for. Sailing through storms and managing maritime conditions adds a layer of immersion that makes you feel like a true Viking warrior. The Nordic culture and icy coasts are beautifully captured, making every voyage an adventure.

However, the seas aren’t entirely smooth. Performance issues, such as laggy main menu videos and extreme lag spikes when entering towns, can make you feel like you’re navigating through a storm without a compass. The inability to use hooks on ships and unreliable boarding mechanics limit strategic options, leaving you stranded on the shores of frustration. The character creator is reportedly broken, which might explain why my Viking looks more like a misplaced medieval accountant.

Despite these challenges, there’s hope on the horizon. The potential for future updates and modding could turn this ship around, making “War Sails” a must-have for any Bannerlord enthusiast.

Graphics: A Cinematic Voyage with a Few Leaks

Visually, “War Sails” aims to impress with its cinematic sea battles and dynamic visuals. The maritime environment is a sight to behold, with waves crashing against your ship as you engage in epic naval combat. When played in 1440p, the graphics are sharp and detailed, rivaling those of similar games like “Skull and Bones.”

Yet, not all that glitters is gold. The perceived downgrade in graphics from the promotional trailers has left some players feeling like they’ve been sold a wooden sword instead of a steel blade. Performance issues persist, with lag even on high-end hardware, suggesting that optimization might have been left adrift. Graphical bugs, such as incorrect UI elements and missing icons, further muddy the waters, making it difficult to distinguish friend from foe.

While the graphics have their moments of brilliance, further optimization is needed to ensure a smooth sailing experience for all players.

Story: A Viking Saga with a Few Soggy Pages

The narrative of “War Sails” sets sail with a Viking-themed quest to rescue kidnapped siblings, adding personal stakes and moral dilemmas to the gameplay. The story evokes themes of exploration and freedom, resonating with players who enjoy a good tale of adventure and personal reflection. Role-playing opportunities abound, allowing you to immerse yourself in the shoes of characters like RAGNAR.

However, the story isn’t without its leaks. The quest and mission design have been criticized for being tedious and poorly executed, with familiar tropes like kidnapped family members feeling as worn as an old pair of boots. Technical issues, including bugs in story quests and performance problems, further detract from the experience, leaving some players stranded on the shores of disappointment.

Despite these setbacks, the story’s potential for unexpected twists and imaginative scenarios keeps players hopeful for future content that builds on its strengths.

Final Verdict

“Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord - War Sails” is a DLC with a sea of potential, offering innovative naval gameplay and a captivating Viking narrative. However, performance issues and technical glitches threaten to capsize the experience. With future updates and modding, this expansion could become a must-have for fans of the series. For now, it’s a voyage worth taking, but be prepared for a few rough waters along the way.

Score: 6.5/10