So addictive, the federal government will start regulating the gameplay!

User Rating: 9.5 | Mount & Blade: Warband PC
Online game play reviewed:

Great game play-simple, yet addictive combat system, awesome online battles, sweet horseback riding system.

I think the most difficult skill-set to learn was the mounted combat, particularly the jousting with pole-arm weapons. To get the timing down to the right second, is extremely difficult; yet, to land a correctly-time hit with your lance is one of the most rewarding feelings I have ever felt in fps or rpg games.

Another interesting aspect of combat was archery, especially horse archery. To the average nub, it seems as though you can take down anything as a mounted archer. Think again. One has to correctly time the shots, avoid pesky infantry, and be cognisant of the position of shields and lances of enemies around you.

With respect to the ground archery, patience is key too. In archer v. archer battle, the first one to flinch and run away is typically the loser, unless of course the one running away has better cover. In archer v. infantry battles, the first few shots are key to land because 7/10 times, they will give away your position. Miss your first shot and you could be facing a full health infantry with a readied shield to block any sword swipes you take at him. Your greatest advantage is the distance between you and him. This allows you to scope out, aim, and attack from afar. If you do fail to land the first hit, the strategy should be to hit their shield as many times as you can, so as to give you some leverage in a one on one battle. Otherwise, your infantry can just duel with them until their shields break and/or you hit them in the back as they 1 on 1.

Infantry battles also offer an interesting dynamic. You have several types of weapons varying by speed, thrust, and reach. Additionally, these divide into two categories: Single-handed and two handed weapons. Generally these are the advantages:
Blunt Weapons (Single-handed): can break through the shield block
Pole-Arms: The more expensive, the longer the reach and slower the speed. Best for infantry v. cavalry.
Two handed axes and swords: Slower speed but greater reach. Plus, they deal greater damage. These are known as the noobtube of the mount and blade world.
Single-handed swords, scimitars: Vary by speed and reach. Depending on whether or not you like very close-ranged combat or swing and pull back style, you choose scimitars and short swords for up close and longer swords for somewhat more ranged sword-play.

Varying armors will handicap you by weighing you down in terms of the heavier armors while the lighter ones offer a slight advantage in movement speed but leave you more exposed to archer fire, lance attacks. etc. Additionally, some do prefer to roll naked so as to promote their L337ness and/or mock the opposing team. This strategy could potentially intimidate the opposing team, prompting them to flee every, which way direction. On the downside, it could backfire and draw enemies who wish to slay your naked body and claim it as a trophy.

Game play types vary from:
Battle (like round-based counter-strike)
Team Battle
Death-match
Team-Death-match
A few others, I can't remember

All of these aspects contribute to a rich online multiplayer experience that will have you crawling back to your computer like gollum after his precious.