The Great Viking Adventure: A Stormy Reception for Mount and Blade 2's First DLC
After a lengthy journey, the highly anticipated first DLC for Mount and Blade 2 Bannerlord, titled War Sails, has finally set sail. But, much like the choppy waters it simulates, the reception has been anything but smooth. Players, who have been eagerly awaiting new content for one of the best RPGs of recent years, are now feeling a bit adrift.
The release of War Sails was preceded by an intense promotional campaign on the game's Steam page. It's understandable, given that this is the first major paid update since the game's early access days, three years ago. The developers pulled out all the stops, regularly posting updates, blogs, trailers, and Q&As to generate excitement for the ambitious update that promised to send Nordic armies sailing into epic sea battles.
However, the plan seems to have hit a snag. Released on November 26, the reaction to War Sails has been, well, 'mixed' at best. With over 93,000 'very positive' reviews for the base game, the expansion's 1,000+ reviews in just four days indicate a divided community.
So, what's the issue? It appears to be a lack of substantial new content, or at least, a lack of value for money. Many players claim the DLC is 'overpriced,' with some suggesting it's only worth buying during a sale. Some users argue that modders have already added similar features for free, leaving little incentive to purchase the official expansion.
But not all hope is lost! Some players have praised the ship customization, comparing it to the game's smithing system, and found the Nord troops enjoyable to command. One particularly enthusiastic player even described it as 'a whole new game,' a testament to the expansion's potential.
If you're not a modder or find mods a bit daunting, War Sails might still be worth considering. As one positive reviewer put it, 'If you're still playing Bannerlord, you'll likely enjoy this.' However, even the optimistic reviews caution against the stealth system, so that might be a potential pitfall.
Priced at $22.49 or £18.89 (increasing to $24.99 or £20.99 after December 10), War Sails might be worth grabbing now, especially if you're keen to avoid paying full price for what some consider a limited expansion. So, will you set sail with the Nord fleet, or is this DLC better left on the dock? The choice is yours, and the comments section awaits your verdict! Skol!
