TaleWorlds Entertainment has debuted another developer diary for Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord, this time featuring an upcoming multiplayer game mode.
As Gamescom 2019 draws nearer, the updates for Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord continue. The event is expected to debut the first ever playable build for Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord as well, which makes sense for this developer update to surface: a new exciting game mode called Captain Mode.
According to TaleWorlds, Fire & Sword and Napoleonic Wars veterans will already be familiar with Captain Mode. Bannerlord includes the same rudimentary version, as debuted already by the developers back in Gamescom 2017.
In essence, Captain Mode is a multiplayer game mode that pits two teams against each other in a PvP battle, with each player taking command of their own selection of troops controlled by AI. Simply put, you will act as the captain of said troops, and you will be in charge of maneuvering them into various positions against the enemy. The version that will debut in Bannerlord is a revamped version of Captain Mode, meaning that it has more structure and a larger scale compared to others.
Captain Mode makes use of a morale mechanic, which was introduced in order to keep players engaged all throughout the fights. This morale system is tied to capture points on the map, which your team must control in order to demolish the enemy forces’ morale. If any of the team’s morale is completely depleted, their troops will leave the map and it will be considered game over. It works the same as eliminating the entire enemy force, which leaves choices as to how you can win each round.
Captain Mode’s intricacies, however, don't stop there. For one thing, both the players and their troops have one single life. Players can, however, switch to one of their troops in case they die in battle. This adds a layer of combat skill to the already tactical gameplay of commanding your troops; winning isn’t just about troop placement; you also need to swing your sword properly if you hope to win.
Check out the rest of the developer blog here, where TaleWorlds details Captain Mode at length.
Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord is set for release exclusively on the PC. A release date is still unknown.
