Disclaimer: I'm neither a sexist nor a misogynist. I just love a realistic depiction in games of world that it emulates.
In my experience, too many medieval Europe-based RPGs, be it historical or fantasy, systematically eliminate sexism for political correctness and to avoid sexism controversy.
For instance, you see like 30% of foot soldiers being female warriors in Dragon Age Origins battles cut-scenes. This is totally fine if females are equally physically capable to males in DA lore; however, the role, demeanor, characteristics of women in Dragon Age world EXACTLY resemble that of real world; hence, 30% of foot soldiers being female is nothing more than a political correctness Bioware shoving down gamers' throat. Likewise, rapers, massacre, and tortures are depicted/insinuated in DA series but 'racism' is almost non-existent because of political correctness.
I recently started playing M&B and I'm VERY happy that the game did not shy away from depicting sexism prevalent in medieval society. I love playing both male and female characters, and when I played as a female, I found it very amusing, fun, and different from male play-through how lords looked down on me, how a lord refused me an entry to his castle when I was given a fiefdom, and how difficult it is to become a vassal or gain fiefs, and various remarks I got as a woman PC. It all added to immersion value and sense of realism.
Games shouldn't shy away from depicting truths and facts especially if it is historical. I do think these things in the game not only make it more diverse and fun experience playing different genders but also teach players about sexism in the past, which is actually a good thing for gender equality awareness. Teaching about the horrible labour conditions of children in 19th century Britain is not advocating child abuse; it's quite the contrary. Likewise, I hope more games don't hesitate depicting gender difference and racism which are wrong in modern society but which in fact did exist in the context of era the game is based on.
I really hope to see this penalties of being a female or a commoner retained in M&B 2 Bannerlord. For me, playing as a female commoner was the most fun in M&B Warband games I've played.
In my experience, too many medieval Europe-based RPGs, be it historical or fantasy, systematically eliminate sexism for political correctness and to avoid sexism controversy.
For instance, you see like 30% of foot soldiers being female warriors in Dragon Age Origins battles cut-scenes. This is totally fine if females are equally physically capable to males in DA lore; however, the role, demeanor, characteristics of women in Dragon Age world EXACTLY resemble that of real world; hence, 30% of foot soldiers being female is nothing more than a political correctness Bioware shoving down gamers' throat. Likewise, rapers, massacre, and tortures are depicted/insinuated in DA series but 'racism' is almost non-existent because of political correctness.
I recently started playing M&B and I'm VERY happy that the game did not shy away from depicting sexism prevalent in medieval society. I love playing both male and female characters, and when I played as a female, I found it very amusing, fun, and different from male play-through how lords looked down on me, how a lord refused me an entry to his castle when I was given a fiefdom, and how difficult it is to become a vassal or gain fiefs, and various remarks I got as a woman PC. It all added to immersion value and sense of realism.
Games shouldn't shy away from depicting truths and facts especially if it is historical. I do think these things in the game not only make it more diverse and fun experience playing different genders but also teach players about sexism in the past, which is actually a good thing for gender equality awareness. Teaching about the horrible labour conditions of children in 19th century Britain is not advocating child abuse; it's quite the contrary. Likewise, I hope more games don't hesitate depicting gender difference and racism which are wrong in modern society but which in fact did exist in the context of era the game is based on.
I really hope to see this penalties of being a female or a commoner retained in M&B 2 Bannerlord. For me, playing as a female commoner was the most fun in M&B Warband games I've played.
so as long as there's no magic and no healing potions, it doesn't really matter.
