Mount & Blade

The Good
The hidden gem here is the medieval combat. Mount&Blade features some of the most well-executed sword and archery combat in any game. The mounted combat is also probably the best to ever appear in a video game.

Opponents are knocked back when they are hit with a weapon, and you can block hits with the right mouse button. Running backwards also causes you to suffer a speed disadvantage.

The tactile feel when using bows is good. When aiming, your bow will quaver. The amount of time you can hold your aim before you get tired, as well as your accuracy, depends on your proficiency in the skill.

The Bad
The strategic aspect of this game, however, is sorely lacking.

The strategic interface is very primitive. The messages you receive when completing battles are terse and completely lacking in personality. You cannot plan the movements of your faction's forces. Instead, mobs of troops simply appear randomly and proceed to their destination without input on your part. There's also very little story to motivate you to continue playing. The result is that there's no sense of personal involvement, and the feeling outside combat is one of a remote observer.

Overall, the strategic aspect of the game feels very artificial and lackluster. The trading feature also feels tacked-on.

The Bottom Line
Maybe with some mods the game can be improved. However, the base game presents little outside of combat that is of interest.