Mount & Blade - Review @ Boomtown

It's not clear if this review is on the final release, with Boomtown enjoying the combat in Mount & Blade but finding the lack of storyline an issue.  The score is 7/10 and here's a major criticism:

This is the first major problem with the game. Open ended story telling is great but when you're dropped off in a game with nothing but your own imagination it falls apart. After I had seen my fair share of Calradia I became disillusioned with my character. The fact that there is no main storyline means that my character lacks direction and a purpose. I just ended up wondering what the point of his existence was and why I bother ransacking this and laying siege to that? Boring and dull side quests further dampen my experience. Most Lords seen to give identical quests that always have the same out come. A perfect example is when you're asked to track down a murder. Just look for the guy in the village with a weapon. He is the only one and when you just introduce yourself he confesses and attacks you. It's the same outcome each time. I wasn't expecting a Nancy Drew mystery but something with a bit more drama and detective work would have been nice. It must be said that not all side quests are dull and getting involved with some devious lords can introduce you to some interesting ones. It's just a shame they are in the minority.