I definitely just spent 4 hours playing this game today. 
 
It's still fucking terrific. Can't wait till they add muskets in the next expansion. (Yeah, I know there's a mod already for muskets, but still.) 
 
STILL.

I agree.
 
Once every few weeks I get sucked in again.
Taking over stuff takes ages and makes it feel like some big ass strategy game. 
I love it.

I love it too, but one minor complaint I have is, I wish you could do those arena type things with real weapons, not wooden ones.

Whenever I hear this game's name said aloud, I think "Mountain Warband." 

I love killing fools online. Singleplayer isnt as fun because you cant hero your way through everything like you used to be able to.

The multiplayer is amazing, fantastic fun. I put a solid 20 hours into it before even bothering with any of the other game modes.  Siege is my personal favourite.
 
 
I like that they added a brief sort of tutorial/opening quest in the single-player game, too. Gives things a little more coherence. Mostly I'm just mashing through melee contests to level up my main hero. Then I'll start working on the training grounds, too. I really want to explore the higher-tier stuff, but ingratiating myself to various lords and counts is sometimes frustrating when they get captured in the line of duty. Also, the recent-ish addition of steam achievements was a nice touch. I probably wouldn't have bothered harrassing farmers and insulting lords if there were no cheevs for it. 
 
Also, the custom battle mode is kinda bananas. Good if you want to grind out that "kill 5000 dudes" achievement. At least, if your computer can handle having 400 guys all kicking the shit out of each other. (It's especially fun having a huge battle with 200 of just one unit type. 200 on 200 archers gets fucking NUTS.) 
 
But yeah, for me the bread and butter of this game is the multiplayer. Apparently With Fire and Sword will add the option of taking your troops from the campaign to duke it out online. If that's implemented properly, it could be fabulous.
 

The game gets really interesting when you get involved with the internal politics of your faction. As soon as you court a lass, the game gets really good.

There is a mod for multiplayer called cRPG. It basically adds levels and gear to multiplayer ala singleplayer, however it is simplified down to agility and strength. If you like getting hit in the head by a bar mace and being unable to do anything about it you should check it out. It's great fun as soon as you get a few levels.

Yeah, this game is ridiculously addictive, and once you're done with the native experience (easily 150+ hours) you just install a damn mod and go at it again.
 
When you ever feel the need for a good SP mod I more then Highly recommend the Prophecy of Pendor mod, it's just mind blowing fantastic, and in many ways better than native.

Levio91 :(

"The game gets really interesting when you get involved with the internal politics of your faction. As soon as you court a lass, the game gets really good. "

"There is a mod for multiplayer called cRPG. It basically adds levels and gear to multiplayer ala singleplayer, however it is simplified down to agility and strength. If you like getting hit in the head by a bar mace and being unable to do anything about it you should check it out. It's great fun as soon as you get a few levels. "

" There is a mod for multiplayer called cRPG. It basically adds levels and gear to multiplayer ala singleplayer, however it is simplified down to agility and strength. If you like getting hit in the head by a bar mace and being unable to do anything about it you should check it out. It's great fun as soon as you get a few levels. "

I have the first Mount & Blade. What am I missing?

" @MuttersomeTaxicab:  
It's persistant 
  @Mikemcn:  Well the problem with the people having played forever and using the best gear has sort of been rectified by the addition of repairing gear, however I do agree with you the first few hours are going to suck big time. However as soon as you start getting decent gear and a few levels, it starts being fun. The true problem with the mod is that there is no way for them to seperate new players and the prolords. Right now I'm level 30 and playing cRPG has really taught me how to manual block against a real player, how to feint and how to fail at chambering. "

"I have the first Mount & Blade. What am I missing? "