The Banner Saga 2

 Xbox One
Metascore
84

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Official Xbox Magazine UK
    Aug 13, 2016
    90
    A masterful continuation of a captivating tale - powerful, sad and deeply involving. [Sept 2016, p.85]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Eurogamer Italy
    Jul 17, 2016
    90
    The Banner Saga 2, after its debut on the PC, shows all its qualities also on consoles. From the amazing graphics, up to almost perfect gameplay, lovers of the genre and fans of the saga have not a single reason to miss it.
  3. GamingTrend
    Jul 3, 2016
    90
    The Banner Saga 2 is a worthy sequel to a great franchise. Combat is vastly improved, and the narrative is deep and rewarding, even as the game punishes the player every step of the way. The game suffers from a unwieldy UI, and some poorly placed setpieces that obscure the player’s vision in combat, but these drawbacks are minor.
  5. COGconnected
    Aug 5, 2016
    83
    The Banner Saga 2 picks up where the original left off, telling a stirring and engaging 2nd chapter of a hero’s tale. While very much an extension of the previous title, there are several welcome enhancements that should put the game on the radar of any serious turn-based fan.
  6. Post Arcade (National Post)
    Jul 15, 2016
    80
    From its unrelentingly dark story to its challenging difficulty to its imperfect controls, in no way is The Banner Saga 2 the sort of game one sits down to play casually. It is an intense and demanding experience right from the start, and it never lets up.
  7. XBLA Fans
    Jul 5, 2016
    80
    The Banner Saga 2 builds on the foundation of its predecessor while forging a path for the future. This sequel introduces new ways to play but, unfortunately, keeps some of the troubles that plagued the first game. It’s a good sequel to what’s turning out to be a great series, though: the banner still flies high with a story worth being told weaved into it.
  8. TrueAchievements
    Jul 5, 2016
    80
    If you're returning to Stoic's Saga then it's more of what you enjoyed, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. If you're a fan of the genre and new to the series, The Banner Saga 2 is absolutely worth your time, just make time for its predecessor first.
  9. IGN Spain
    Jul 1, 2016
    77
    The Banner Saga 2 arrives to consoles and keeps unaltered its roots, offering a very intense and narrative experience.

Awards & Rankings

25
#25 Best Xbox One Game of 2016
100
#100 Most Shared Xbox One Game of 2016

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 29 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 29
  3. Negative: 3 out of 29
  1. Troublewalking
    Jul 2, 2016
    8
    Great game. Perfect if you like turn based strategy games. It's story is mostly text based, with cut scenes for choices. The game is listed atGreat game. Perfect if you like turn based strategy games. It's story is mostly text based, with cut scenes for choices. The game is listed at $15 bucks on Steam, but XB1 gold members get it this month for free. IMO it is easily worth the $15 bucks. I think it's Indie, but it feels higher tier. It's got all of the good stuff you expect from a Turn based strategy game.

    It does have it's flaws, like...

    No diagonal attacks. Which I find odd, especially for ranged.

    Too short of caster/archer range. It's 6 squares, but when the Varl take up 4 squares, you see how limited that is. Literally it feels like using a caster is a punishment. And I love casters in these types of games.

    Healers heal armor and not health (virtually every attack ignores armor) Thus healers are virtually useless. If they healed health, I would always use one. Them seem pointless except for pushing the story and doing these amazing magics, that none of them posses when you control them.

    Sometimes the game forces you to have a character for a boss fight. It's usually fine, but when this requires a specific tactic, which is usually just a pain in the butt and less effective than even a basic zerge. You will literally wonder why it was put in, as it literally makes the fight tedious.

    No ability to spin the camera that I can find.

    Controls don't seem optimized for consoles.

    Other than that it is quite an enjoyable game. It's flaws are small, and what it does have, makes up for it's weaknesses.    … Full Review »
  2. riley794
    Jul 9, 2016
    4
    I am amazed by all the positive reviews this game is getting. The first game got great reviews and I felt that was mostly due to the factI am amazed by all the positive reviews this game is getting. The first game got great reviews and I felt that was mostly due to the fact that the game seemed innovative (even though everything in the game had been done before). I thought the sequel which is practically identical to the first game would not be so positively received. This is not a good game for the following reasons: 1. To be continued ending (nothing says "you just wasted your time playing this game, better than a to be continued ending). 2. Its a tragedy (If you thing Romeo and Juliet sucked, then this game will suck). Loading screens (not a lot to this game, everything should load instantly!) 4. Controls suck (it is a pain to position your troops before battle, target different enemies with your attacks, and figure out what your character will be able to do once the move to a different spot). 5. Barely any voice acting or cinematic (They give you just enough to realize how much better the game would have been with more. Its like the game is a book that is being forced to become a video game).

    Summary: First game got a pass because it was considered and "indie title" so expectations were extremely high for the sequel. Game fails to improve on the first game, fails to provided the player with any sort of closure, fails to provide reliable controls, and fail to provide cinematic extras. I got the game for free but it is not worth more than $5.    … Full Review »
  3. piuspratik
    Feb 21, 2019
    10
    Excellent visual presentation. Absolutely loved the gameplay and the overall story in continuity. Survival mode is a nice addition and enjoyedExcellent visual presentation. Absolutely loved the gameplay and the overall story in continuity. Survival mode is a nice addition and enjoyed the additional hours of challenging tactical combat. Leaderboards and ranking achievements is a nice touch. Playing as Rook and Alette with their optional additional missions and character development also helped increase the replay value.… Full Review »
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