Recent reviews by Vyckalino

Overhyped

If people think that this game has "deep" and meaningful gameplay mechanics than it is over for gaming industry.

Dark and Darker could have been a standout in the crowded world of multiplayer fantasy games, but its severe balance issues make it a frustrating experience rather than an enjoyable one. The most glaring issue is the imbalance between different classes and abilities. Some classes are blatantly overpowered, able to dominate the game with minimal effort, while others feel underwhelming and ineffective, no matter how skilled the player is. This creates a lopsided playing field where certain classes become the meta, and anyone who doesn’t follow the crowd is at a severe disadvantage. The developers apparent reluctance or inability to address these balance problems only makes things worse. Patches and updates seem to ignore the most critical issues, focusing on minor tweaks. It’s as if the developers either don’t understand what makes their game fun or simply don’t care about creating a fair, competitive environment.

Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord has been a highly anticipated game for years, and while it certainly delivers on some fronts, it fails to live up to its massive potential in others. Let me start with the positives: the game runs remarkably well. Performance-wise, Bannerlord is stable and optimized, even on larger battles. The scale of the game is impressive too, with a vast, open world that invites you to explore, conquer, and immerse yourself in medieval warfare.

However, as vast as the world may be, it often feels empty and devoid of meaningful content. It’s like the developers focused on creating a massive sandbox but forgot to fill it with engaging experiences. The game is wide as an ocean but shallow as a puddle. There is a lot to do in theory—building armies, running kingdoms, trading—but these mechanics quickly become repetitive and monotonous.

For example, the combat system, while initially satisfying, grows dull after you realize it hasn’t evolved much from the first game. Sieges are particularly underwhelming, plagued by poor AI and uninspired tactics. Diplomacy, one of the pillars of a grand strategy, is laughably simplistic. You can’t really negotiate or use clever tactics to sway your enemies—it's just a numbers game.

Quests are repetitive and uninspired, often feeling like you're grinding for experience rather than pursuing something truly impactful. Whether it’s chasing bandits or delivering goods, nothing feels consequential. For a game that promises to let you shape the fate of an entire world, the reality is that your actions rarely feel important.

Bannerlord’s RPG elements are also a letdown. While there’s plenty of customization for your character, the companions and storylines lack depth, leaving you with little emotional connection to the people or events around you. There's a glaring absence of meaningful dialogue or interactions with NPCs that would make the world feel alive.

In conclusion, while Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord excels in performance and offers an impressive framework, it fails to deliver the depth and complexity that fans hoped for. It’s a great platform with lots of potential, but as of now, it feels like a missed opportunity. If you're looking for a deep, strategic, and immersive experience, this game might leave you disappointed. But if you just want to enjoy large battles and light kingdom management, it could still scratch that itch—just don’t expect too much beneath the surface.