The Banner Saga

 Xbox One
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. IGN Spain
    Jan 12, 2016
    90
    One of the best turn-based strategy games of recent times, which comes to consoles as an almost perfect adaptation.
  2. Eurogamer Italy
    Jan 25, 2016
    80
    A rough, heavy, but beautiful story, with deep characters, a wonderful handmade graphics and an original lore. But it's not a game for everyone, with it's slow pace and tons of texts to read.
  3. Pure Xbox
    Jan 18, 2016
    80
    As a package, The Banner Saga is addictive, attractive, compelling, enjoyable, and truly challenging on the higher difficulty level.
  5. Official Xbox Magazine UK
    Jan 12, 2016
    80
    It's taken a long time to get to us, but Stoic's engrossing strategy adventure is worth the wait, conjuring a rich, wintry atmosphere in a world as handsome as it is hopeless.
  6. MondoXbox
    Jan 17, 2016
    76
    An ambitious and fascinating game, The Banner Saga sports memorable characters and great visuals but turned out to be too unbalanced towards the dialogues and management components, to the detriment of the turn-based battles.
  7. COGconnected
    Jan 25, 2016
    75
    The Banner Saga is a good game when it comes to it’s unique combat, art style, and atmospheric score but the awkward transition of the menus to console and the presentation of its plot hold it back from being great.
  8. games(TM)
    Mar 27, 2016
    70
    Despite these drawbacks, The Banner Saga is still a solid tactical RPG with a charming art style and a story that, while initially daunting, eventually becomes manageable and memorable.
  9. TrueAchievements
    Jan 22, 2016
    70
    Those with a penchant for a tightly woven narrative and tactical thinking will enjoy the deep layers that The Banner Saga provides.
  10. ICXM
    Jan 19, 2016
    70
    It’s a wasted opportunity and that’s what disappoints me the most. Luckily, the story redeems the overall experience.

Awards & Rankings

76
#76 Best Xbox One Game of 2016
93
#93 Most Discussed Xbox One Game of 2016
93
#93 Most Shared Xbox One Game of 2016

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 41 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 41
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 41
  3. Negative: 3 out of 41
  1. piuspratik
    Feb 7, 2019
    10
    Banner Saga is a truly immersive game based on norse mythology. I was looking for mostly a challenging turn-based strategy game and this gameBanner Saga is a truly immersive game based on norse mythology. I was looking for mostly a challenging turn-based strategy game and this game definitely returns the favor (especially on hard - intended mode). I was surprised that by the end of the game, I knew all the characters very well due to the engrossing story and was immediately looking forward to the sequel and how the saga continues.… Full Review »
  2. rubensmiranda
    Dec 12, 2018
    10
    Banner saga renews the turn-based strategy games with new mechanics and ideas. In addition, it has one of the most incredible andBanner saga renews the turn-based strategy games with new mechanics and ideas. In addition, it has one of the most incredible and thought-provoking stories ever written for a game.… Full Review »
  3. SuperkenGaming
    Jul 23, 2018
    7
    The Banner Saga
    Really good if you like reading
    The Banner Saga is the first game in a trilogy of turn based role playing tactics game set    The Banner Saga
    Really good if you like reading
    The Banner Saga is the first game in a trilogy of turn based role playing tactics game set all in the world of Vikings…
    Though I feel like there’s an even more prominent genre to throw this game into..
    And that a visual novel
    I was really looking forward to giving this series a shot and play through the trilogy, and while I see why so many people love this series...
    it’s just not very casual friendly and its really tough to get through this 8 hour campaign... not necessarily because the gameplay is hard…
    the gameplay is essentially party managements and turn based tactics.. As you play through the story you’ll get different groups of characters that belong to different classes all with their own special moves, and as you defeat enemies you’re bale to promote them and increase their stats… you’ll also get to know these characters during stops in villages as well as along your journey across the map…
    In game it’s all fairly simple, you take turns moving a certain space of tiles and attacking enemies within range, either weakening their defenses or going straight for their health...
    placement of your characters in battle is important as it is possible to lose party members... all of this is fine.. But eventually about half way through the game I was just over it...
    battles feel too Samey… and the story just wasn’t interesting enough to keep me going.. at first it is… it gave me a dungeons and dragons feel as I’m making choices and watching things unfold before me based on those choices, gaining supplies to feed my fighters, gaining items for my party to wear, watching my crew get annoying with other members and having to decide what to do with them to ensure moral stayed up…
    I felt immersed into the story… and then suddenly I’m with a new group of characters away from the group I was just getting to know and it broke the spell for me.. I stopped caring, I no longer cared about the consequences of my choices or what the interest of the characters in this game are…
    I just couldn’t follow along it was too much for me.. I just wanted to get to the end of this visual novel that felt like it was dragging on forever,
    there is good in the banner saga, I get that people love visual novels, but I just don’t... I want voice acting... if you want me to sit down and read for 10 hours your story better be captivating throughout... and it just wasn’t here for me…
    That being said im sure there are plenty out there that the idea of a visual novel meets turn based tactics rpg excited them…
    and for those people youre in for a great time… the banner saga is good at being just that…
    But its not for me..
    I give the banner Saga
    a 7/10    … Full Review »
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