Mentalepsy: I am curious about Mount and Blade, but I never really understood what it actually is, or what playing it entails. Can anyone help me out?
I am also concerned about the combat, because it sounds like Die By The Sword, and DBTS made me feel as if I was fighting underwater.
Well, basically, you're an adventurer set loose on a medieval world. You roam around trading between cities, fighting bandits and gathering recruits, while gaining levels as in an RPG. Eventually, as you and your soldiers evolve, you will be able to join a kingdom as a mercenary, then battle other kingdoms, take castles and cities, etc. Or you can create your kingdom and try to rule the land (which most set to be the ultimate goal, since there is no storyline).
As for the combat, unlike DBTS, it's the best part of the game. You don't completely control your sword, the movement of the mouse while clicking just sets the direction of the attack, and then it follows automatically. If you click and hold while moving the mouse downwards, for example, your character will prepare for a downwards blow, and do it when you release the button.
Anyway, the game has a demo, just try it out and see for yourself =)