The Banner Saga 3

 PC
Metascore
82

Generally favorable reviews - based on 51 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 45 out of 51
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 51
  3. Negative: 0 out of 51
  1. games(TM)
    Sep 6, 2018
    70
    Not a glorious end, but a great package. [Issue#204, p.78]
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  2. Metro GameCentral
    Jul 27, 2018
    70
    Not a good standalone game but a fine ending to the trilogy, that manages to make three games feel like one.
  3. CD-Action
    Dec 4, 2018
    60
    With its dated, slow combat system, no intention to evolve the series, bugs, and no tension, The Banner Saga 3 is sadly just a game you tick off to get closure, not a spectacular finale. [10/2018, p.82]
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  5. IGN Japan
    Aug 29, 2018
    60
    Bad Japanese localization prevents the player from getting invested in the story, but both in gameplay and story Banner Saga 3 is a worthy conclusion to an epic trilogy.
  6. Gamer.no
    Aug 6, 2018
    60
    The Banner Saga 3 does nothing we haven't seen before, and becomes the weakest entry in the series through its lack of suspense, and the abrupt and unfulfilling ending that gives no closure
  7. USgamer
    Jul 27, 2018
    60
    We’ve seen our characters in a perpetual state of ‘fight or flight’ the entire series, barely pausing to catch their breath before hitting the road again. I don’t feel like I know these characters, which makes it all the more difficult to care about them when the entire world is collapsing in on itself.
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In Progress & Unscored

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  1. Eurogamer
    Jul 26, 2018
    Stately, vivid and tragic, this brooding epic finally reaches its climax. [Recommended]
  2. Kotaku
    Aug 3, 2018
    But there’s just something missing, a spark that elevates them from sound concept to truly gripping encounters, and so a few hours into this third game battles felt like a bore, no matter the new enemies and dramatic context.
  3. Rock, Paper, Shotgun
    Jul 26, 2018
    Whether you have a satisfying ending or not is very much down to your choices, and yours alone – which, for a game like this, couldn’t be more fitting. Yes, it runs the risk of being a massive anti-climax if you make a few duff decisions, but even that has a kind of poetic justice to it – it’s just another tragic tale to be woven into your ever-eventful banner...Overall, I think you will have a good ending – and one worth the pain you’ve had to endure over the. course of these collective 40-odd hours
  5. Vice
    Aug 1, 2018
    While there are a couple of places where it feels like the difficulty ramps up too quickly, or where major plots twists unfold with barely a moment to react or comment, my fundamental reaction to The Banner Saga 3 is one of vindication. It turns out this was a journey worth taking, and a world worth keeping in my heart for the last few years. In the end it has justified its stylistic and narrative choices, and surpassed the hopes I had for it back when I played the first part of the trilogy.

Awards & Rankings

43
#43 Best PC Game of 2018
97
#97 Most Discussed PC Game of 2018
22
#22 Most Shared PC Game of 2018

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 142 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 100 out of 142
  2. Mixed: 30 out of 142
  3. Negative: 12 out of 142
  1. FuriousFernando
    Sep 26, 2018
    6
    The first one still the best. Ending choices of the second game dont matter. Canary betrayal plot is dropped. Ludin and Vognirs death plot isThe first one still the best. Ending choices of the second game dont matter. Canary betrayal plot is dropped. Ludin and Vognirs death plot is dropped. Alette is still a Rambo and wins battles duo with the scald. Ivers battles can give you a pause until you figure out that stonesinger and strength buff + mender and armor restore can net you 20/50 monsters. And with the heroics? An overkill. Rivers of renown you dont know who to spend on because the rest dont matter. In the first game everyone mattered because you had not that many characters and after dealing with second waves and its randomness while being half dead, you could have injuries, possible limited supplies and had to rotate your squad.… Full Review »
  2. kamaroff
    Aug 13, 2018
    4
    The 3-rd part is a huge disappointment.
    1) Dialogues are written with the left foot. Boring, uncharismatic, with mistakes and, at times, with    The 3-rd part is a huge disappointment.
    1) Dialogues are written with the left foot. Boring, uncharismatic, with mistakes and, at times, with complete absence of the slightest sense.
    2) If you don't have save files from previous chapters, the authors formed the most disgusting version of the previous decisions for you. [spoiler] The bridge of the warls is blown up. We did not take the child of the dredges in the first part. etc [/ spoiler]
    3) Backgrounds and music are mediocre. Music - background noise. The backgrounds are faded and unattractive.
    4) The final, though logical, but terribly banal. [spoiler] Say "Hello" to Prince of Persia (2008). [/ spoiler]

    Outcome:
    - We do not have a choice, we have to buy to find out the end of the story.
    - Developers know this too, and therefore we got what we got.
    - The third part gets 4 points out of 10. The first and second parts are 9 out of 10.
    - If you are not familiar with the series, definitely take the first part, and then decide for yourself shell you continue or not.    … Full Review »
  3. Allbrotnar
    Jul 27, 2018
    9
    What an incredible ending to an amazing story. This is how you finish a trilogy!

    Your decisions from two games weigh heavy, new mechanics    What an incredible ending to an amazing story. This is how you finish a trilogy!

    Your decisions from two games weigh heavy, new mechanics complicate existing tactics and the visuals and soundtrack have been kicked up to 11.

    Stoic should be proud of this fantastic game.    … Full Review »
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