The pace of the Banner Saga is not diminished in a final part of the trilogy. The Banner Saga 3 fabulously and consistently concludes the story, offers quite a few challenging encounters and even bring some small gameplay improvements.
Though I will rephrase last part: TBS3 doesn’t damages *anything*. Its predecessor tried earnestly to evolve but it didn’t result in anything butThe pace of the Banner Saga is not diminished in a final part of the trilogy. The Banner Saga 3 fabulously and consistently concludes the story, offers quite a few challenging encounters and even bring some small gameplay improvements.
Though I will rephrase last part: TBS3 doesn’t damages *anything*. Its predecessor tried earnestly to evolve but it didn’t result in anything but confusion. TBS3, on the other hand, focuses solely on what they already have. And these are: story, style and writing.
As always narration is divided between two POV characters: old pal Iver leads expedition into darkness to fix the world, and imported hero makes last stand in human capital. Usual rules does not apply to those places: clan management now almost wholly consist of decision-making. No longer you have to sleep or watch for supplies. The buttons are still there but even on hard difficulty you will not use them. Do not relax, the game didn’t become easy. Stoic Studio merely implemented survival in slightly different ways. In city, you will stockpile resources: clansmen, fighters, varl, supply. Contrary to previous installments, most of your choices will bring benefit. Your task will be to think what choice will bring the most. In darkness, survival implemented via “no time left” moto: each passing day in darkness decreases your survival chance in Arberrang. Be careful of unforeseeable delays...
Arberrang and darkness are quite contrary in a tone and feel. City is a pure realistic leader simulator. As you can imagine, when apocalypse is knocking at your door there couldn’t be much order. To top it off some ruffians think it’s perfect time to backstab each other. So you will have to resolve lots of conflicts, often in harsh ways: phrases such as “Let’s all be friends” won’t do much obviously. Stoic studio also does not forget about your previous choices: the herd of horseborn I had taken under my banner kept causing ruckus, and that dredge infant… who would have thought...
Darkness on the other hand is silent and blue adventure into hell much like the journey into Moria from LotR. It’s the place where you can calmly enjoy the End of the World. But, seriously, the background paintings are outright gorgeous, and the value of occasional but regular banters with companions are amplified by the weight of your mission. I especially enjoyed the characters of Eyvind and Juno. Their love is simple and elegant, and Juno is a perfect implementation of wise, sad-eyed lady.
Battles accompany both storylines of the TBS3. The main new addition is wave combat: now at some the encounters after you beat all enemies you may choose to keep fighting or flee. The choice will be taken away if you fail to finish the wave in given time limit. Your heroes will not get refreshed before each wave but you will be allowed to replace them. And thus TBS3 it's finally possible to utilize more than six heroes in single combat. The second and last addition of TBS3 is titles. Titles is hero development feature beyond level 10. Title is unique stat set that can be given to hero and is leveled directly by renown. Examples are ‘the Mountain” which raises strength and armor or ‘the Lone Wolf’ which boost damage if you are not adjust to allies. As you can see, contrary to talent system introduced in TBS2, titles are useful and add depth. Other than waves battles and titles, there are literally no changes. Personally I find TBS combat perfect as it is (except for the broken AI that still is not fixed), so I’m glad they conducted no experiments. I believe freed time was successfully invested in general polishing of the game.
The Banner Saga 3 is fascinating adventure that I wholeheartedly enjoyed. Compared to its siblings TBS3 is the most atmospheric and touching one. But to measure one part against another is a meaningless and dishonest venture: The Banner Saga is integral art piece. It is interesting game with solid ingenious choices-consequence system and clever, challenging combat. It is the meaningful novel in a beautiful fantasy setting. And it’s a canvas of incredible style. Stoic Studio, “shut up and take my money”.
9/10… Expand
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