The Banner Saga: Factions

 PC
Metascore
67

Mixed or average reviews - based on 5 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. IGN
    Mar 14, 2013
    78
    Proves that Stoic knows how to design one helluva combat system, and it's a great tactical experience even when played for free. The microtransaction system limits that fun, and it still needs a bit more technical polish, but this clever take on turn-based combat has me hyped to see what Stoic does with its planned single-player game.
  2. Destructoid
    Mar 8, 2013
    70
    While testing Banner Saga through Factions is not exactly social work, it's not what you've been waiting for, either. Call it a scenic detour that gives the dinner hosts at Stoic some extra time to cook more side dishes while testing out the current ones on guests. Don't worry: Factions is plenty of fun on its own and will only get better as updates roll out.
  3. CD-Action
    May 13, 2013
    60
    Factions is a teaser of a bigger game and does a rather lousy job at encouraging to check out the main dish. It’s simply boring. [CD-Action 06/2013, p.81]
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  5. Thunderbolt
    Apr 15, 2013
    60
    The Banner Saga: Factions’ slower pace and current lack of class variety will be enough to discourage many from trying this particular brand of turn-based strategy. But those who can look past these flaws will find a somewhat deep combat system that necessitates tactical awareness and forethought, and a rewarding experience for those who invest the time needed to learn its intricacies.
  6. PC Gamer
    Apr 1, 2013
    59
    An accomplished and pretty strategy game, sadly hindered by a handful of questionable design choices.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 115 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 85 out of 115
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 115
  3. Negative: 17 out of 115
  1. Dyskrasia
    Feb 27, 2013
    10
    The detail and work that was put into this game is amazing. If you enjoy tactical, turn-based multiplayer combat with stunning art then give it a try.
  2. flickerdart
    Feb 27, 2013
    8
    There are many reasons to recommend The Banner Saga: the visuals are absolutely gorgeous, the gameplay is incredibly innovative and puts a bigThere are many reasons to recommend The Banner Saga: the visuals are absolutely gorgeous, the gameplay is incredibly innovative and puts a big fat X through the standard turn-based tactics strategy of focus-firing on enemy units, the great variety of units and customization options creates many viable strategies, a variety of battle maps forces people to adapt to unpredictable situations, and the developers keenly listen to the community and respond to issues with bugs and unit balance. Also, hey, it's free (there is a cash shop, but it doesn't give you any options that you can't get by playing normally for a few days).

    However, the game only recently came out of beta, and still hasn't gotten its sea legs. Bugs range from high latency (resulting in longer wait between your moves) to hanging battles (the final unit failing to register as dead, trapping players one step short of claiming their Renown reward for the fight) to failing to sync up with the other player at the start of the match and not even allowing you to place your units. These issues will be fixed soon, I'm sure, and don't detract much from the enjoyment of the game, but you will probably run into at least one of them if you grab this game in the immediate future.    … Full Review »
  3. GreenDread
    Feb 27, 2013
    10
    Really one of the most deep and beautiful games I've ever played. And this is just the side-project of the actual single.player game. This isReally one of the most deep and beautiful games I've ever played. And this is just the side-project of the actual single.player game. This is one of these board-games that would take too much calculating, when they were actually played as board games. This is a computer-assisted mix of chess, Magic the Gathering and D&D. Only minus is that the game really suffers from the flood of players right now. But this will surely be solved by the awesome Team of Stoic. So still full 10 Points.… Full Review »
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