Mount & Blade: Warband Preview

GameSpot is the latest website to slap up a preview of Mount & Blade: Warband based on the demonstration being given at this week's Game Developers Conference.
Smart defenders, like the ones we faced today, make judicious use of opening doors just long enough to allow through one or two attackers to cut down or to send out a counterattacking force in a swarm. In addition, doors can be smashed only by melee weapons, but Warband lets you pick up weapons and shields dropped by any fallen friends or foes nearby, and if our multiplayer session was any indication, there won't be any shortage of those in any given game. Warband also has heavier two-handed weapons, such as cleaver swords and two-handed maul hammers, which don't let you equip a shield but do let you put a quick end to one of your enemies if you can place your strike well enough.