The Banner Saga 3

The Banner Saga is one of the most fascinating trilogies of games out there right now, and The Banner Saga 3 ties everything together in one neat, albeit heartbreaking, package.

A revelatory experience, at long last presenting answers to the questions that many have had since Rook first rallied clansmen to his banner in Skogr. With multiple endings that your actions can steer your adventure towards, it delivers a thunderous conclusion to what, on the whole, has been a phenomenal trilogy. It remains a perfect fit for Nintendo Switch, and, now that all three games have hit the portable home console, there isn’t a better time to set out on your arduous journey.

Regardless of what entry in the trilogy is best, the Banner Saga as a whole is incredible. This vibrant, gorgeously animated tale feels as alive as the top live-action fantasy worlds, even more so with the knockout Austin Wintory soundtrack. The battle system reaches a rewarding crescendo and the story hits a lot of excellent beats as it hurtles towards its thrilling conclusion.

From the beginning, this series has very much been about the journey to the destination in both a literal and figurative sense, and now we’ve arrived at the end, it's clear that this was the strongest point all along. The development of characters and the gradual progression of the story naturally have less emphasis this time around, as this is the end of the saga, but what you do get is multiple endings with fitting outcomes. Now all that's left is for you to decide whether or not this game and series are for you, much like the many choices present within the games themselves.

The Banner Saga 3 is a fitting and triumphant conclusion to the franchise. It’s not without its small problems, but the overall experience is polished and deeply rewarding. It may be completely inaccessible to newer players, but people who have stuck with it will not be disappointed.

The Banner Saga 3 brings this amazing series to a close. As we had expected, Stoic Games delivers an epic ending: there’s so much mastery in each element of the game you couldn’t ask for a better way to say goodbye to the Saga.

As a finale to a trilogy, The Banner Saga 3 delivers its long-awaited conclusion, told through a sharp character-driven narrative. Although the mash-up of tactical gameplay, Oregon Trail decision segments, and serialized fantasy drama haven’t evolved much, they effectively carry the emotional weight of a banner years in the making.