The Banner Saga

 PC
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 833 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 606 out of 833
  2. Mixed: 166 out of 833
  3. Negative: 61 out of 833

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  1. Jamesgary
    Aug 5, 2023
    10
    The banner saga is the game of the rpg also the story write and the music is very good
  2. TastieToasty
    Jul 21, 2023
    8
    Great story.
    amazing artstyle. (each frame is worth as a desktop wallpaper/screenshot)

    2 different groups with different struggles is a great concept.
    gameplay wise it is pretty hard (for me a noob)

    medium is hard for noobs
    and easy is way too easy.

    would have loved to change my own difficulty.

    will play banner saga 2 and 3 in the future.
  3. 34m2121
    Jul 4, 2023
    8
    Senaryo seçimlerimize göre cidden çok farklı noktalara gidebiliyor,çok iyi bir evreni var oyunun
  4. WilliamTell
    May 27, 2023
    10
    Auburn hair, cerulean eyes and a dazzling smile that says you're mine. I LOVE THIS GAME!
  5. Versetty2005
    Feb 26, 2023
    9
    I was a little embarrassed by the absolutely stupid losses of the allies during the text episodes. Fights are cool
  6. kylemccoy131
    Jan 26, 2023
    10
    I played the whole trilogy back to back, so this is a review of all the games. There are some nitpicks I have such as the "maim strategy" limiting gameplay variety... but thats about it. Everything else I loved! I found that as the trilogy progressed, there were enough new challenges and moveset updates that it keeps you on your toes. The art style and soundtrack are unique and always aI played the whole trilogy back to back, so this is a review of all the games. There are some nitpicks I have such as the "maim strategy" limiting gameplay variety... but thats about it. Everything else I loved! I found that as the trilogy progressed, there were enough new challenges and moveset updates that it keeps you on your toes. The art style and soundtrack are unique and always a treat to experience.… Expand
  7. TheDJMC
    Nov 21, 2022
    8
    Story Outline:
    The gods (who are implied to be real, tangible deities) have disappeared, causing many to say that they are dead. The sun has stopped moving in the sky resulting in a perpetual daylight. Both Humans and Varl (horned giants) must once again rely on their tenuous collaboration between their people when the huge golem like race known as Dredge return from the north to kill and    Story Outline:
    The gods (who are implied to be real, tangible deities) have disappeared, causing many to say that they are dead. The sun has stopped moving in the sky resulting in a perpetual daylight. Both Humans and Varl (horned giants) must once again rely on their tenuous collaboration between their people when the huge golem like race known as Dredge return from the north to kill and destroy all intelligent life that they see. That is until it is noted that maybe this new Great War that the Dredge are starting isn't of their own choice, but is rather a reaction to something far more unfathomable: the end of the world entirely.

    Pros:
    A mix between FTL: Faster Than Light, any of the recent Telltale games, XCOM, chess and the lore of TES V: Skirym
    Two games in one! The game is split into two halves: scripted & random encounters with decision making and a turn-based combat system that's visually similar to a mix between chess and XCOM. There are also conversations that play out like they do in Telltale's games (e.g. The Walking Dead) which is where most of the character development occurs.
    The combat is good and does enough to keep it a game rather than just a "choose your own adventure" story.
    An engaging story with likable characters and emotional plot twists throughout. It seems to be set up very well for the recently released sequel.
    A constant feeling of urgency is present which greatly emphasises the feeling of importance that every decision that's made carries.
    Thematic music and good sound effects, especially at the touching bittersweet end scene.
    Phenomenal visual design and animation. This could have easily become a movie instead of a game.

    Cons:
    Because of the combat's simplicity, some people could find it repetitive and/or boring (personally I didn't).
    None of the characters are given enough time to properly develop/show their motives and relationships with one another, which leads to many likable characters becoming forgettable. Whether or not any of the characters can be considered memorable I think is in part determined by how quickly the game is played through. I finished my playthrough in roughly 17 hours (two consecutive days) with a few reloads (and toilet breaks XD) in that time and I found that most of the main characters were memorable. However, if you have very little free time then I can see it being much harder to connect properly with the characters.
    There isn't much actual animation which is a shame considering how good it is.
    The "war" mechanic was especially floaty and never gave much of an impression of change or importance aside from changing your numbers around.
    The music and sound effects aren't especially memorable or superbly epic like that of Skyrim (a high bar, I know).
    The first chapter is relatively dull compared to the rest of the game.
    There's an irritating inability to open the options menu during certain brief segments of the game.
    Maybe this should've been a movie instead of a game.

    Conclusion:
    A game definitely worth you're time and money with the potential to replay it multiple times to see what happens. I'm looking forward to playing number two!    … Expand
  8. HDRip
    Dec 9, 2020
    10
    When asked about the games that have left the strongest impressions over the past 10 years, Banner Saga will definitely take pride of place among them. The scriptwriters of the game did a tremendous job, creating a very interesting world in which people and giants live side by side, fighting with each other and uniting in the face of a common enemy - dredges. But most importantly, theyWhen asked about the games that have left the strongest impressions over the past 10 years, Banner Saga will definitely take pride of place among them. The scriptwriters of the game did a tremendous job, creating a very interesting world in which people and giants live side by side, fighting with each other and uniting in the face of a common enemy - dredges. But most importantly, they have created an incredibly believable atmosphere of the impending inevitable end, from which the whole world runs to the ends of the earth, hoping to find shelter there. An atmosphere of despair and hopelessness, which forces people (and not only people) to reveal their true essences. Moral choices are one of the fundamental gameplay mechanics, but don't think that everything will be easy and simple. Is it worth saving those in trouble or walking by? Or maybe even finish them off and take their belongings? Whatever you choose, it is almost impossible to predict where it will lead, and the result may not be pleasant at all.
    Unfortunately, it was not without a small fly in the ointment. Tactical battles turned out well, but they have difficulty problems. On "normal" difficulty they are too easy, and on "high" difficulty they are incredibly difficult. do not forgive a single mistake. But defeat in the game is another unique mechanic! After losing a battle, you will not return to the save point, but continue on, but you will lose something important. The attacking robbers, if they are not repulsed, I can take all the supplies, leaving your caravan to starve to death. An unsuccessful battle with dredges, which ended in defeat, leads to the fact that one of the key characters has to take on the role of decoy and withdraw some of the enemy troops, giving the rest a chance to leave. The wrong choice, the wrong prioritization, can lead to a real disaster that will almost destroy the caravan. Does this game have the right choices?
    My verdict: This game is a real masterpiece. And I highly recommend it to anyone who loves quality, interesting, unique, story-driven games.    … Expand
  9. Dustfoxx
    Oct 8, 2020
    8
    Good art. Good gameplay. Great music. Story is a setup for later installments but works well on it's own. I love it.
    Closer to a 9 than a 7
  10. kezzyhko
    Jul 29, 2020
    9
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  11. touchofheaven
    Jun 2, 2020
    8
    Nice game, visual novel with management elements and turn-based battles. The fights are interesting, not too hard, especially want to note the animations and sounds.
  12. Crimert
    May 16, 2020
    9
    The first game of the epic trilogy! There are RPG elements and also it's a tactical game. If you are into Turn-Based strategy games, then you would really like this game! Your decisions matter in this Viking-inspired game! 9hrs on record.
  13. Wiebe
    Feb 26, 2020
    8
    Great story, decisions are fun, combat is alright, but slow and not super deep, but has some fun elements
  14. Kargun
    Nov 29, 2018
    8
    Tiene un arte precioso y el sistema de combate es divertido pero no muy retante. A pesar de las múltiples tomas de decisiones no sientes que tengan un peso real más allá de perder algunos soldados o de conseguir víveres de los que tocan. A pesar de ello los carismáticos personajes te hacen querer jugar a la secuela en cuando te lo acabas. Unas 20 horas de juego.
  15. HarrySatschel
    Nov 1, 2018
    10
    I absolutely love this game. It is a fantastic turn based tactical strategy game with a fantastic story. It is relatively short for my likely when taken on its own. However, when played as a part of the trilogy, the entire experience has plenty to offer.
  16. macibor
    Aug 14, 2018
    8
    My friend recommended me this game saying that it was his favourite game with mixed tactics, rpg and story. Of course I didn't believe him at first, but then I tried it. And it was good! The pace of the game could be a little bit quicker but other than that I liked it. I appreciate the graphical style and design of this game and the gameplay is good enough with variety of different moves per unit.
  17. RagingPoet
    Jul 23, 2018
    9
    The Banner Saga got beautyful hand drawn style, great characters, impactful choices, solid tactical combat and intense atmosphere.
    It is not perfect: resource management is weak, numbers of people in caravan do not mean anything, some consequences of the choices are impossible to predict, images in dialogues and cutscenes are mostly static. But all those flaws are unimportant compared to    The Banner Saga got beautyful hand drawn style, great characters, impactful choices, solid tactical combat and intense atmosphere.
    It is not perfect: resource management is weak, numbers of people in caravan do not mean anything, some consequences of the choices are impossible to predict, images in dialogues and cutscenes are mostly static. But all those flaws are unimportant compared to how engaging The Banner Saga is.    … Expand
  18. Icinix
    Jun 3, 2018
    10
    Edit : After replaying it many times and the sequals - this game and it's series are total gems. It gets off at a cracking pace, so you might be a bit lost at first but the tactics are quick to learn difficult to master and incredibly satisfying once you pull off more difficult situations.
    Takes a little while to start putting together who is who and what is happening - so at first you    Edit : After replaying it many times and the sequals - this game and it's series are total gems. It gets off at a cracking pace, so you might be a bit lost at first but the tactics are quick to learn difficult to master and incredibly satisfying once you pull off more difficult situations.
    Takes a little while to start putting together who is who and what is happening - so at first you might not feel much connection with the characters or the story - but after a while a case of the 'one more turn' syndrome kicks in. You'll be watching those supplies and weighing up promotions, supplies and items while juggling the story decisions and their potential impacts.
    Well worth the price - with the only faults being in animation and voiced dialogue (the lack of it).    … Expand
  19. jorgos4567
    May 10, 2018
    9
    Great tactics game with an epic story! The developer chose a very clever way to tell a story that will make you feel like in Lord of the Rings. The art style is beautiful and you will care for all the characters.
  20. auditbadger
    Jul 30, 2017
    8
    I think that this is truly a unique game and I would recommend that if you are a fan of this type of genre then I think you should give this game a try.
  21. cottandy
    Nov 3, 2016
    10
    An overall great game with brilliant gameplay, storytelling, art, combat mechanics. I found no cons in this game, though I made it through several times. Yes! One time is not enough for this one. Once you start, the game will suck you into it like a quagmire in a good way you know.

    And even though there is the second part "The Banner Saga 2", this game feels complete byitself, so does    An overall great game with brilliant gameplay, storytelling, art, combat mechanics. I found no cons in this game, though I made it through several times. Yes! One time is not enough for this one. Once you start, the game will suck you into it like a quagmire in a good way you know.

    And even though there is the second part "The Banner Saga 2", this game feels complete byitself, so does the story. And still you want to know what will happen afterwards. This great the story is!    … Expand
  22. Klewer
    Jun 4, 2016
    8
    A really enjoyable experience this game, has a great feel to it and has some lovely visuals. A strong story which you can change slightly with your own choices and input. Combat is solid as a turn based style with unique abilities for your team. Worth a look.
  23. ElTornado
    May 1, 2016
    9
    I'm not a fan of this kind of games, but I REALLY liked it. Great storytelling, great art, outstanding soundtrack, a little bit repetitive but interesting gameplay. And the best thing is that I have that warm feeling in my hurt when I think about this game.
  24. Morgenstern72
    Apr 28, 2016
    8
    This is a wonderful approach to turn based stratetegy: the mechanics are simple, but it needs learning to grasp them. Tt's mastery is really rewarding. Combined with the second part this game is just awesome: wonderful graphics (if you like the style!), an intriguing story, challenging fights and some real hard decisions to make. Get this game if you like nordic legends and much moreThis is a wonderful approach to turn based stratetegy: the mechanics are simple, but it needs learning to grasp them. Tt's mastery is really rewarding. Combined with the second part this game is just awesome: wonderful graphics (if you like the style!), an intriguing story, challenging fights and some real hard decisions to make. Get this game if you like nordic legends and much more realism and grit than many other settings.… Expand
  25. Vicente_ao
    Apr 13, 2016
    8
    ¿Te gusta la cultura/ambientación nórdica? - compra este juego
    ¿Te gustan los juegos de estrategia por turnos? - compra este juego
    ¿Te gustan los juegos de aventuras de textos? - compra este juego ¿Te gustan las buenas tramas en los juegos? - compra este juego The banner saga es una propuesta fresca y muy bien llevada, ambientado en un mundo de cultura escandinava, con una historia    ¿Te gusta la cultura/ambientación nórdica? - compra este juego
    ¿Te gustan los juegos de estrategia por turnos? - compra este juego
    ¿Te gustan los juegos de aventuras de textos? - compra este juego
    ¿Te gustan las buenas tramas en los juegos? - compra este juego

    The banner saga es una propuesta fresca y muy bien llevada, ambientado en un mundo de cultura escandinava, con una historia potente, donde sus personajes llevan el peso de su historia a sus hombros.
    Gran parte del juego no estarás luchando, si no que estarás viajado y tener que tomar relevantes decisiones, decisiones que pueden traer consigo desastres, como la muerte de personajes, la pérdida de recursos, la baja moral, o por otro lado, conseguir recursos, reclutar gente para el clan, etc.
    El sistema de combate es muy fácil de aprender y es muy entretenido y a la vez te verás en sistuaciones muy dificiles de poder ganar.
    La historia como ya he comentado engancha mucho, quieres seguir jugando, la jugabilidad es muy entretenida, la MÚSICA, wow, punto fuerte del juego, es totalmente épica y bien llevada, el diseño de personajes y ambientes muy bello.
    Como aspecto negativo, se podría haber ahondado más en las historias de los personajes, el juego termina muy brusco (por suerte se sabe que saldrá la parte 2 que unirá me imagino que dará a entender o finalizar la trama) y la traducción, al menos la del español, es risoriamente mala, es como si hubieran usado google traductor para hacer la traducción del juego.

    7.8/10    … Expand
  26. nabbone
    Jan 25, 2016
    9
    A game of incredible beauty! Aesthetically refined, based on iconography Nordic revisited in a modern way. A fascinating story as you will rarely see in games in the majors. Dark nostalgic atmosphere at the same time. Witty dialogue and difficult choices. Game system strategically interesting. I look forward to it the crowfoundin for The Banner Saga 2. From support absolutely!
  27. GolovA
    Jan 4, 2016
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Although i want to i cannot call this game an RPG. I think it can only be described as a QUEST genre! :)

    I was not impressed by the game's tactical combat - it is too simplistic - no one retaliates, there are no covers (even from the ranged attacks), and no one ever misses pretty much. Having said that, the combat is still a joy - it is well animated, dynamic, and simply fun.

    As for the story - boy oh boy was i confused in the beginning. I did not feel like the story drew me in smoothly. However, as i played more, it grew on me. Well written, solid, albeit unpolished. This brings me to my main complain/confusion - so how come the story ends (SPOILER!) like in the middle?! What?! Who was that huge snake? What is the Darkness coming from the North? What happens to the human Prince? Etc. The story really left me hanging - and i would take 2 points right there, because i see a planned "Episode 2" release - don't we love this latest trend in games today? I LOVE IT! Anyway, i am not taking any points off, because The Banner Saga still brings many hours of good play to the table; i also suspect that this is one of those rare genuine cases where the developers had to hurry the release, faced with many constraints.

    Overall, beautiful artwork, colorful characters, pretty elaborate branching story, interesting quest-like mechanic during travel.

    RECOMMEND.    … Expand
  28. Underpants158
    Dec 20, 2015
    8
    For much of this game I wanted to give it a 9. I was hooked in a way that it rare for me. I was in awe of what this game forced me to do but towards the end I took a step back and realized many of it's flaws.

    What is this game?: Imagine Oregon Trail and tactical rpg battles with a backdrop of norse inspired mythology that transpires like a text based adventure. You are the leader of a    For much of this game I wanted to give it a 9. I was hooked in a way that it rare for me. I was in awe of what this game forced me to do but towards the end I took a step back and realized many of it's flaws.

    What is this game?: Imagine Oregon Trail and tactical rpg battles with a backdrop of norse inspired mythology that transpires like a text based adventure. You are the leader of a caravan of men and varl (giants with horns) and you are on the run. You need to manage supplies, leveling up your characters, and like a telltale game you make decisions that can large effects on your caravan and the characters. The decisions are not black and white. Stopping to drink can boost morale but eat up supplies. Helping a stranger can backfire or he/she can become a valuable part of your group.

    Pros:
    -You feel the weight of your decisions. Characters you don't expect to be able to die can die. I found myself wondering about the choices I made and how they led to the death of one of my favorite characters.
    -And the game does a good job at discouraging you from simply reloading after anything negative happens. There are no manual saves only auto-saves and if you want to reload the game forces you to replay the battle before your decision.

    So/sos:
    -The combat system has revolves around strength and armor. Strength is not only attack damage but also health. Armor is what you imagine armor to be and you can either do strength damage or armor damage. The unique tactical aspects come from deciding whether to whittle down armor so the the enemy can go down easier or attack for strength damage so his attacks hurt you less. At least in theory this true. Practically it is almost always preferable to do armor breaking damage and then strength damage.
    -Every character has a special ability however only a handful are actually useful.
    -Renown (your currency) is accrued through battle and good decisions. You can use it to either buy food for the caravan or level up a character. However if that character that you leveled up dies you don't get a reimbursement of renown. This could be viewed negatively or simply as keeping up with games feel of attrition.

    Cons:
    -No negative effects to letting your caravan starve.
    -Bland writing that feels anachronistic even though it's not an historical time.
    -Ending falls emotionally flat. Catharsis please!

    Overall:
    -I am psyched for the next installment in the trilogy. I have faith that this may be the mass effect 1 to the next games mass effect 2. Elements are here for a great success and I am excited to see if they improve.    … Expand
  29. hko2006
    Dec 6, 2015
    8
    The good
    The turn based battle is like chess with armor and HP.
    Unlike 99% of games, units with less HP do less damage ie HP is their attack value Dilemmas are good, give good immersion. Like in one dilemma, you are asked to wait someone to come but same as your character, you don't know when they will come if they will come at all. The bad Mostly 2 types of battles, either thugs or    The good
    The turn based battle is like chess with armor and HP.
    Unlike 99% of games, units with less HP do less damage ie HP is their attack value
    Dilemmas are good, give good immersion. Like in one dilemma, you are asked to wait someone to come but same as your character, you don't know when they will come if they will come at all.
    The bad
    Mostly 2 types of battles, either thugs or dredge (stone people), and only one fight vs varl (giants). I'm ok with the lack of fight with varl though.
    Caravan, while being one them of the game (protect your kin), it does not impact much on the game. I even tried resting even without food will actually boost your morale, while a dozen people are dying each day you rest.
    EDIT: Bad morale causes worse events to happen so staving/not resting does have impact.
    More on The Caravan: Let them starve thread
    TIPS:
    Specialize armor breakers to 3/4 armor break
    The flow is armor breakers break dredge's armor, then high HP weaken their HP and damage by attacking. As long as you keep dredge's HP lower than your armor, you are fine.    … Expand
  30. PrimeHydra
    Sep 1, 2015
    10
    Amazing game with a unique style, beautiful visuals, deep tactics, and actual role-playing. It's Battlechess meets The Oregon Trail. That's right--the spirit of the classic Apple IIe title lives on in Banner Saga. But instead of running into enemies and watching helplessly as they make off with your loot, you--as the leader of a caravan of soldiers and civilians--will have severalAmazing game with a unique style, beautiful visuals, deep tactics, and actual role-playing. It's Battlechess meets The Oregon Trail. That's right--the spirit of the classic Apple IIe title lives on in Banner Saga. But instead of running into enemies and watching helplessly as they make off with your loot, you--as the leader of a caravan of soldiers and civilians--will have several non-obvious, interesting choices. Do you run into the woods to try and lose the enemy, or do you make a stand immediately? If you escape to the woods, do you set the forest on fire as they come at you, or do you create a diversion? (I've omitted many others--each choice typically has at least four or five options). Your every decision has an impact on not only the story but your band's well-being. Keep morale high, and you'll get bonuses in combat; let it drop too low and you'll face penalties.

    Making life-and-death decisions as you wend away across the continent is just the frosting, though. At the heart of the game is tactical chess-like combat that's is easy to learn, hard to master. You can't just "micro" and focus fire like in an RTS, or run at everything and chop it up like Diablo. You've got to think, and that's what makes victory so rewarding. Units have two stats--Armor and Strength. Depleting Armor makes Strength easier to knock down, and Strength--in an interesting tactical twist--is both the HP AND the offensive ability of a unit. In this way, it's smarter to disable stronger enemies rather than pig-piling an already-incapacitated threat. Mastering the wide range of special abilities is critical to success, as well. Each unit only has one special ability, but they vary so widely and combine so intriguingly that it's more than enough. Some abilities require carefully lining up opponents, others encourage keeping your allies close to form a shield wall, others taunt an enemy into attacking a highly-shielded unit, and so on.

    While it's very difficult, it's never outright punishing. In other words, no kill screens (that I've seen). You're better or worse off for having won or lost a battle, but you never have to play the annoying sub-game of loading an earlier save. Losing a fight brings disappointment more in the form of having let your contingent down, and suffering heavier losses. But you can always rest and face another day. You'll still get the bonus for each kill you managed to make in your last stand before allies managed to drag you to safety. As a gamer in the "hardcore" camp, this never felt cheap to me--because the combat is hard enough without having to restart the game because I made a mistake.

    If you're at all a fan of role-playing, tactical combat--or The Oregon Trail--don't miss this. Best title I've played in a while.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

64
#64 Best PC Game of 2014
35
#35 Most Discussed PC Game of 2014
51
#51 Most Shared PC Game of 2014

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 74 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 59 out of 74
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 74
  3. Negative: 0 out of 74
  1. Pelit (Finland)
    May 11, 2014
    85
    Banner Saga is a fine - but towards the end a bit repetitive - turn-based viking adventure. [Feb 2014]
  2. games(TM)
    Mar 12, 2014
    80
    It's an outstanding start for a trilogy, and one that we can't wait to see to its end. [Issue#145, p.116]
  3. Hyper Magazine
    Mar 9, 2014
    80
    A fantastic combination of fantasy storytelling and RPG tactics. One hell of a debut from Stoic. [Apr 2014, p.62]
See all critic reviews »