The Banner Saga

 Xbox One
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

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  1. 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 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    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    … Expand
  2. Daelus
    Jul 21, 2016
    7
    Overall, the game is fairly entertaining especially if you are a fan of turned-based combat.

    Pros: Combat is generally enjoyable; nothing groundbreaking, but solid Graphics are good; well, good for a 2-D sidescroller. Story is pretty good and the usage of the 2 caravans that merge in the end was enjoyable. Soundtrack isn't bad, if a bit sparse. The healthbar reflecting both your    Overall, the game is fairly entertaining especially if you are a fan of turned-based combat.

    Pros:
    Combat is generally enjoyable; nothing groundbreaking, but solid
    Graphics are good; well, good for a 2-D sidescroller.
    Story is pretty good and the usage of the 2 caravans that merge in the end was enjoyable.
    Soundtrack isn't bad, if a bit sparse.
    The healthbar reflecting both your health as well as your maximum damage is a refreshing concept.

    Cons:
    Most revolve around the designer's vision being bigger than their budget which caused me a few issues, namely,
    The mechanics surrounding morale and starvation, while great concepts for a sim-type game, were only here in spirit, as there were literally no consequences to ignoring both issues entirely. If they didn't have the budget to make that part of the game relevant in any way, they should have dropped the concept.

    Playable characters were added and removed at the whim of the devs. In a straight action game that might be acceptable, but in a game where you are leveling 1 character at the expense of another and with very limited resources to do so, to have that leveled character arbitrarily removed for no relevant story related reason is a ridiculous fail.

    The endgame which forces you to use 2 characters whom you may not have utilized/ leveled throughout the playthrough, again, another ridiculous fail. If they were going to force you to use 2 characters for the hardest fight in the game, for god's sake give some indication that those characters should be leveled prior to that fight!!!    … Expand

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

Critic Reviews

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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. 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.
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  2. 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.
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  3. 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.
    Read full review
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