The Opinion in this article is strictly personal and based on own experience and can differ from others!
Key Takeaways
- The War Sails DLC in Bannerlord 2 introduces naval combat, a new Viking-inspired faction, and over 25 hours of additional content.
- Players engage in ship command, sea battles, and expanded exploration mechanics with the DLC.
- While the DLC broadens gameplay and enhances the overall experience, it still suffers from some bugs and performance issues.
- Many users question whether the naval combat lives up to expectations, suggesting it feels more like a mod than a full game.
- Overall, War Sails DLC in Bannerlord 2 is worth considering for fans of sandbox games, especially during sales.
Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord is a popular medieval action-RPG and strategy sandbox game that features real-time battles, siege warfare, deep kingdom and clan management, and much more. It is the prequel to Warband and is set during the decline of the Calradic Empire, roughly 200 years before the events of the original Mount & Blade.
After many years and a lot of delays, Bannerlord 2 finally receives its first-ever major DLC content. The new DLC added Naval Warfare, Factions, Ports, and many more, which obviously hyped the entire community. However, there is always a question that needs to be asked: Is it Worth buying it? So, here’s a review breaking down everything about the War Sails DLC.
War Sails DLC in Bannerlord 2 – First Impressions
Just a few weeks ago, a few posts on X and YouTube short videos were released, and it was enough to hype up the diehard fans of Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord. This DLC introduces numerous new features and 25+ hours of new content.
The War Sails DLC adds naval combat for the first time in Bannerlord 2. Now you can command ships and lead fleets, engage in fierce sea battles, and ram or board enemy ships.
The DLC also introduces a new faction, the ‘Nords’, and is heavily inspired by Vikings. Along with it, the DLC also adds a new northern land, as well as expanded mechanics for exploration, such as sea travel and fleet management. The world map has also broadened to support naval & coastal gameplay.
The Good about War Sails DLC in Bannerlord 2
Bannerlord 2 remains one of the most ambitious medieval sandbox RPGs out there, and with the DLC, the scope has broadened in ways that many community members find exciting. “If you are looking for one of the ultimate sandbox experiences in games, look no further.”– Vincent Greyland (Steam), suggesting that community members find the new DLC rich and fascinating.
“The most detailed empire strategy simulation game ever experienced.” – VMH (Steam) suggests that with War Sails DLC, you get naval combat, fleets, sea battles, a brand new Viking-inspired faction, and an expanded map to match. This opens up entirely new gameplay possibilities, where you’re no longer confined to land, and you can campaign across rivers and seas to raid coastal or island settlements.
Additionally, a major update was released alongside War Sails DLC, improving various base-game systems, including enhanced diplomacy and trade, improved AI behavior, and enhanced mod support. That means buying the game now gives you a more polished, feature-rich experience than earlier versions.
The Bad about War Sails DLC in Bannerlord 2
Tried to ram a ship, missed, and got half my crew scooped off the deck and into the ocean by the other ships stern
byu/airforcedude111 inBannerlord
However, the DLC remains somewhat rough around the edges after a few patches. The base title has been described as “janky”, “unfinished,” “imperfect,” and prone to bugs or weird quirks since its inception. Even after the new DLC, Irish8luck says, “Naval Combat sucks.” The Naval Combat is supposed to be the main hype for this new DLC, and it seems like it’s been performing poorly.
With regards to War Sails DLC specifically, one Steam user commented, “Ramming ships looks fun for 30 minutes…but the whole sea battle looks so boring and slow.” Others say that while the expansion delivers a new experience, it sometimes feels like “a mod rather than a proper game.”
Comment
byu/Aiseadai from discussion
inpcgaming
There are also questions arising in the community regarding in-game limitations, with them saying, “They promised a whole host of stuff and have delivered on about a third of it … a mix of minimally viable product … rather than a proper game.” – Magneto88 (Reddit).
Is War Sails DLC in Bannerlord 2 Worth Buying
In my opinion, Bannerlord 2 is for those who love open-ended sandbox worlds, shaping their own story, exploring every corner of the world, and mixing large-scale strategy with RPG action. Below, we’ve also listed all the games identical to Bannerlord 2, along with their prices, to check if the game is worth buying or not.
| Game | Base game price (USD) | Paid DLCs |
|---|---|---|
| Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord (reference) | $49.99 or $24.99 (50% discount during sale). | 3 DLC: War Sails (single-player naval expansion), Original Soundtrack, Digital Companion (artbook/audio/map extras). |
| Battle Brothers | $29.99. | 3 big gameplay DLC: Beasts & Exploration, Warriors of the North, Blazing Deserts + a couple of cosmetic/supporter packs and free mini-DLC. |
| Kingdom Come: Deliverance | $29.99. | Story/gameplay DLC (5 main ones): Treasures of the Past, From the Ashes, The Amorous Adventures of Bold Sir Hans Capon, Band of Bastards, A Woman’s Lot + OST/artbook/HD packs (HD packs are free). |
| Crusader Kings III | $49.99. | Lots of DLC (10+): major expansions like Royal Court, Tours & Tournaments, Legends of the Dead, Roads to Power, All Under Heaven, plus smaller flavor/cosmetic packs like Northern Lords, Fate of Iberia, Fashion of the Abbasid Court, etc. |
| Total War: WARHAMMER III | $59.99. | Many DLC (10+): race/expansion packs like Ogre Kingdoms, Champions of Chaos, Forge of the Chaos Dwarfs, Shadows of Change, Thrones of Decay, plus Blood for the Blood God III gore pack. |
| Chivalry 2 | $39.99. | DLC is mostly cosmetic: armor/weapon skins, character cosmetics, and “Special/King’s Edition” style bundles that add skins + premium currency. |
Bannerlord 2 tends to pay off if you commit to it and enjoy its sandbox-style medieval warfare plus strategy. If you want a polished, tightly structured experience, the value may be more limited. So, it’s best to buy especially during a sale, if you’re uncertain.
Altogether, if you love an open-world game that blends strategy with real-time combat, this is the title for you. In my experience, the DLC feels a solid 8.5 out of 1o. Currently, the base game sits at an 88% positive review rating, following the release of new DLC.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, if you enjoy medieval sandbox gameplay with massive battles and strategy elements. You can easily get dozens or even hundreds of hours of playtime.
It’s much better than at launch, but a few rough edges remain, especially in AI and some management systems.
If you’re unsure, waiting for a discount is a smart choice. But if you already love sandbox strategy games or medieval war games, buying now is worth it, as it is on sale now.
This game is relatively challenging for casual gamers since progression and kingdom-building require time and patience.
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Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord - War Sails
The War Sails DLC for Bannerlord 2 adds naval combat, a Viking-inspired faction, and 25+ hours of content, expanding exploration and gameplay. While it enhanced the sandbox experience, it still feels like the naval mechanics are underwhelming and buggy. Still, it’s a worthwhile purchase for sandbox fans, especially during sales.
- Editor's Rating
