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The Banner Saga

Name: Comprehensive Review and Analysis of The Banner Saga
Item: The Banner Saga
Author: Critik Editorial Team

2014

GenresIndie, Simulation, Side View Perspective, RPG, Strategy, Military and Warfare, Single Player, Multiplayer

AvailableJan 14, 2014

PlatformPlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PC

DeveloperStoic

Overview

The Banner Saga is a Viking-themed tactical role-playing video game.

Elsewhere

Game analysis

Monster Scorecard

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Story and Narrative

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TL;DR

Critics largely praise The Banner Saga for its captivating Norse-inspired narrative, mature tone, and impactful decision-making. While some criticize its early narrative pacing and lack of voice acting, most agree that its deep story, strong character development, and tough choices make it a standout feature. Overall, critics find the story to be a major highlight of the game, with positive opinions outweighing the criticisms.

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY

Story Score

Positive (80-100)

90%

Mixed (50-79)

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.

The opinions of the critics regarding the story of The Banner Saga are largely positive. Many critics praise the game for its captivating and engaging narrative, with several describing it as one of the game's greatest strengths. The story is often commended for its mature and atmospheric tone, drawing inspiration from Norse mythology and presenting a world on the brink of destruction. Critics appreciate the game's emphasis on difficult decision-making and the consequences that arise from these choices. The story is described as deep, rewarding, and well-told, with well-written dialogue and strong character development. However, there are some criticisms regarding the story of The Banner Saga. Some critics mention that the narrative can be disjointed and poorly structured, particularly in the early stages of the campaign. The lack of voice acting is also noted by a few critics, with some mentioning that it makes the story less immersive and easy to skip through. Additionally, a few critics mention that while the story is interesting at the character level, the overall narrative may not be as motivating or unique as expected. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the story of The Banner Saga is a major highlight of the game. The majority of critics express positive opinions, praising the game for its well-realized premise, captivating narrative, and impactful choices. The story is often described as mature, atmospheric, and filled with difficult decisions that carry weight and levity. Despite some criticisms regarding the narrative structure and lack of voice acting, the positive reception from the critics indicates that the story of The Banner Saga is a strong aspect of the game. Critics such as PC Games, PlayStation LifeStyle, and Digitally Downloaded specifically highlight the strengths of the story, further supporting the overall positive sentiment.

TL;DR

story and narrative

Gameplay Mechanics

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TL;DR

Critics praise The Banner Saga's turn-based combat system for its depth and strategic elements, likening it to popular strategy games. The game offers challenging battles with clever positioning and resource management, but some critics note a lack of variety in enemies and terrain. Overall, The Banner Saga provides an engaging gameplay experience with immersive decision-making and tactical nuance, despite some flaws in leveling up and combat progression.

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY

Gameplay Score

Positive (80-100)

64%

Mixed (50-79)

36%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.

The opinions of the critics regarding the gameplay of The Banner Saga are varied, but there are several positive aspects that stand out. Many critics praise the turn-based combat system, with several comparing it to popular strategy games like Final Fantasy Tactics and Fire Emblem. They appreciate the depth and complexity of the combat, with clever positioning, varied abilities, and the need to balance stats such as strength, armor, and willpower. The combat is described as challenging, rewarding strategic thinking, and providing a good balance between simplicity and depth. The inclusion of unique mechanics like the need to break enemy armor before dealing significant damage adds an interesting dynamic to the battles. The game also incorporates resource management and decision-making, which are appreciated by critics. The gameplay is commended for its tactical nuance, brisk pace, and addictive nature. Critics also highlight the importance of managing the caravan and making tough choices as a leader, which adds another layer of strategy and immersion to the gameplay. However, there are some negative aspects of the gameplay that critics point out. One common criticism is the lack of variety in enemies, terrain, and environmental obstacles. Some critics feel that this limits the strategic choices available to players and makes the combat scenarios feel repetitive. The leveling up system is also criticized for being simplistic, lacking customization options, and not providing enough variety in character progression. Some critics mention that the combat can become less enjoyable as the game progresses, possibly due to the game's currency mechanic or a lack of diversity in unit types. There are also mentions of the combat becoming repetitive and lacking control over the camera. Some critics feel that certain core concepts of the gameplay are not well explained, which can lead to confusion and frustration for players. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that The Banner Saga offers a solid and engaging gameplay experience. The turn-based combat system is widely praised for its depth, complexity, and strategic elements. The inclusion of resource management and decision-making adds another layer of immersion and challenge. The game's combat scenarios are described as fun, challenging, and compelling, with a good balance between simplicity and depth. However, there are some criticisms regarding the lack of variety in enemies and terrain, as well as the simplistic leveling up system. Despite these flaws, the gameplay of The Banner Saga is generally well-received and offers a rewarding experience for fans of tactical RPGs and turn-based strategy games. Critics such as Eurogamer Spain, GameSpot, and Push Square highlight the positive aspects of the gameplay, while also acknowledging the game's weaknesses.

TL;DR

gameplay mechanics

Graphics and Visual Design

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TL;DR

Critics raved about The Banner Saga's stunning graphics and unique art style, reminiscent of classic animated films. Characters were praised for their detail and landscapes inspired by Nordic mythology were described as visually appealing. While some critics noted issues like lack of variation in designs and clunky UI, the majority agreed that the game's visuals were beautiful and evocative, making it a standout indie production.

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS

Visual Score

Positive (80-100)

81%

Mixed (50-79)

19%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.

The majority of the critics praised the graphics and visual design of The Banner Saga, considering it to be very good. Many critics highlighted the game's unique and eye-catching art style, with hand-drawn visuals that were reminiscent of classic animated films (SpazioGames, CGMagazine, Eurogamer Portugal). The characters were often described as finely drawn, with sumptuous character portraits and detailed backgrounds (Push Square, Nintendo Life, GameFront). The landscapes and environments, inspired by Nordic mythology, were frequently mentioned as stunning and visually appealing (SpazioGames, LevelUp, Gameplanet). The game's art direction was commended for its maturity and consistency (Multiplayer.it), and the graphics were described as beautiful, breathtaking, and evoking memories of the golden age of animation (Giant Bomb, Eurogamer Italy, PCGamesN). However, there were some criticisms regarding the graphics and visual design of The Banner Saga. Some critics mentioned a lack of variation in environments and enemy designs (XGN). The minimal animation was seen as a drawback by a few reviewers (COGconnected, Vandal), with cutscenes being partially animated and reusing art assets (Metro GameCentral, Metro GameCentral). There were also mentions of clunky transitions and poor design choices in the user interface (Push Square, Game Revolution). Additionally, some critics noted limitations due to being an indie production, such as lack of combat animation frames for certain characters (The Digital Fix). Overall, the consensus among the critics is that The Banner Saga has impressive graphics and visual design. The game's unique and eye-catching art style, along with its hand-drawn visuals and attention to detail, received widespread praise. The stunning landscapes, character portraits, and animations were frequently highlighted as major strengths. However, there were some criticisms regarding the lack of variation in environments and enemy designs, as well as limitations in animation and occasional clunky transitions. Despite these minor drawbacks, the majority of the critics considered the graphics and visual design of The Banner Saga to be very good, with many praising its distinctive art style and immersive atmosphere.

TL;DR

graphics and visual design

Music and Sound Design

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TL;DR

The Sound Design and Music of The Banner Saga received high praise from critics for its immersive soundtrack by Austin Wintory, which enhanced the game's atmosphere and epic scale. While some critics noted limitations like sparse dialogue and forgettable tracks, overall consensus is overwhelmingly positive, with commendations for the orchestral score and sound design's contribution to the gameplay.

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN

Sound Score

Positive (80-100)

82%

Mixed (50-79)

16%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.

The Sound Design and Music of The Banner Saga received overwhelmingly positive reviews from the majority of critics. Many critics praised the game's soundtrack, composed by Austin Wintory, for its ability to immerse players in the game's world and enhance the overall atmosphere. Examiner and PlayStation LifeStyle specifically mentioned the fantastic orchestral score and pitch-perfect use of traditional instrumentation, respectively. The music was described as emotionally evocative, stunningly pretty, and grandiose, reinforcing the epic scale of the journey. The sound design was also commended for its ability to complement the visuals and storytelling, with DarkStation and Gaming Nexus mentioning its contribution to battle scenes and encounters with Godstones. However, some critics had reservations about the Sound Design and Music of The Banner Saga. Metro GameCentral and IGN Spain both noted the limited spoken dialogue, which gave the feeling of reading an eBook rather than playing a video game. Metro GameCentral also mentioned that the wooden-sounding prose did not match the serious tone the game was aiming for. Additionally, Gaming Age criticized the audio, stating that they couldn't remember any tracks and found the battle effects to be underwhelming. The lack of voice acting in certain parts was seen as a weakness by Metro GameCentral, DarkZero, and GameOver.gr. Overall, the consensus among critics is that the Sound Design and Music of The Banner Saga was highly impressive. The majority of critics praised the game's soundtrack for its ability to create a chilling atmosphere, capture the essence of the game beautifully, and add gravitas to the gameplay. The orchestral score, composed by Austin Wintory, was particularly lauded for its variety, emotional impact, and Scandinavian influence. While some critics expressed disappointment with the limited voice acting and sound effects, the overall sentiment was overwhelmingly positive. The Sound Design and Music of The Banner Saga successfully contributed to the immersive experience, complemented the visuals and storytelling, and added to the overall atmosphere of the game.

TL;DR

music and sound design

Voice Acting

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TL;DR

Critics are divided on the voice acting in The Banner Saga. Some praise its limited use for enhancing key moments and character depth, while others criticize the lack of extensive voiceovers, finding it a weak point that hampers character distinction. Overall, opinions vary on whether the sparse voice acting adds to or detracts from the game's experience.

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VOICE ACTING

Acting Score

Positive (80-100)

15%

Mixed (50-79)

81%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the voice acting.

The opinions of the critics regarding the voice acting in The Banner Saga are varied. Some critics, such as Examiner and Cubed3, appreciate the limited use of voice acting and find that it doesn't detract from the overall quality of the writing. They praise the voice work in milestone moments and the dialogue's ability to provide insight into the characters' mindset. Game Rant and PSNStores also mention that the voice acting, although sporadic, is well-crafted. They appreciate the moments when voice acting is present but note a lack of it in certain parts of the game. However, there are several critics who express disappointment with the lack of voice acting in The Banner Saga. Push Square, Metro GameCentral, and DarkStation all mention the distinct lack of voice acting in the game. Metro GameCentral specifically states that the limited voiceovers are not quite up to the job and are not a strong aspect of the game. ICXM and Giant Bomb also highlight the difficulty in differentiating between characters during conversations due to the absence of voice acting. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that The Banner Saga has limited voice acting. While some critics appreciate the sparing use of voice work and find it effective in key moments, others express disappointment and see it as a weakness. The lack of extensive voice acting can make it challenging to differentiate between characters and may hinder the overall experience for some players. However, it is worth noting that the quality of the voice acting, when present, receives positive feedback from certain critics, such as GamingTrend and RPG Fan.

TL;DR

voice acting

Technical Performance

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TL;DR

The Banner Saga received mixed reviews on different gaming platforms. The Nintendo Switch version was praised for smooth performance and portability, while the Xbox One version faced technical issues like frame rate drops. The PC version had minor complaints but good overall performance and stability. Critics favored the Switch version, found the PC version decent, but criticized the Xbox One version for various problems.

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE

Tech Score

Positive (80-100)

44%

Mixed (50-79)

56%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.

In terms of the technical performance on different gaming platforms, The Banner Saga received mixed reviews. Starting with the positives, the Nintendo Switch version of the game was generally praised for its smooth performance and fast load times. Critics such as Cubed3 and GamingTrend highlighted the solid port and the added benefit of portability. The game was said to retain the same quality as the original PC version, as mentioned by Multiplayer.it. Additionally, Press Start Australia mentioned no major issues of note when transitioning to the Switch. On the other hand, the Xbox One version faced some technical issues. MondoXbox criticized the game for frame rate drops and unresponsive controls, while Pure Xbox mentioned off-putting loading times and issues with resource management sections. The absence of multiplayer and incomplete voice acting for some dialogues were also mentioned as drawbacks by MondoXbox. For the PC version, there were a few technical complaints. Slant Magazine pointed out minor issues such as the lack of an undo button and the inability to check stats before battle. However, PC Games mentioned that the game had good technical performance and stability, with any bugs encountered during testing being patched before release. Overall, the consensus among critics is that the Nintendo Switch version of The Banner Saga performed well, with only minor hiccups such as small and hard-to-read text in handheld mode. The PC version was generally considered to have good technical performance, despite some minor technical issues. However, the Xbox One version received more negative feedback, with criticisms regarding frame rate drops, unresponsive controls, and loading times. It is worth noting that the lack of a manual save option and issues with saving progress were mentioned by GamingTrend for both PC and Xbox One versions.

TL;DR

technical performance

Replay Value

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TL;DR

Critics agree: The Banner Saga offers significant replay value thanks to its strong narrative, impactful player decisions, and branching choices. Fans of Strategy-RPG games will love exploring different paths and consequences. While some critics mention drawbacks like a lack of emotional connection to characters and challenges with the save system, the game's positives far outweigh the negatives. Ultimately, The Banner Saga is a must-play for those who enjoy replaying games to see the consequences of their choices.

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE

Replay Score

Positive (80-100)

36%

Mixed (50-79)

64%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.

The opinions of the critics regarding the replay value of The Banner Saga are generally positive. Many critics highlight the game's strong narrative and impact of player decisions as key factors that contribute to its replayability. CGMagazine praises the game's narrative and impact of player decisions, stating that it is a must-buy for Strategy-RPG fans. PlayStation LifeStyle and Push Square both mention the significant replay value offered by the game's choices that affect the story and different paths to take. They express enjoyment in seeing where their decisions lead and the ability to have more selective playthroughs. GamingTrend and TrueAchievements emphasize the agonizing decisions and choices that truly matter in the game, making it worth replaying to see the consequences of different choices. They also mention the impact of decisions across the series, as The Banner Saga is part of a trilogy. However, there are some critics who mention potential drawbacks to the replay value of The Banner Saga. Eurogamer mentions the desire to relive past glories or revisit shameful failures, indicating potential replay value, but does not provide specific details about replayability. GameSpot mentions the lack of emotional connection to the characters, which inspires replayability to make different decisions and test the limits of leadership. However, they also mention the need for a more obvious and consistent connection between decisions and results. GameStar highlights the lack of long-term motivation in the multiplayer mode, The Banner Saga Factions, due to the absence of story elements and game modes. Post Arcade (National Post) points out the challenge of losing characters due to the lack of a robust save system, which may limit replay value for some players. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that The Banner Saga offers significant replay value. The game's strong narrative, impact of player decisions, and branching choices are repeatedly praised as factors that contribute to its replayability. Critics like PlayStation LifeStyle, Push Square, and GamingTrend express enjoyment in seeing the consequences of different choices and the ability to have more selective playthroughs. The impact of decisions across the series is also highlighted by GamingTrend. However, there are some concerns raised by critics such as GameSpot and Post Arcade (National Post) regarding the lack of emotional connection to characters and the challenge of losing characters due to the save system, which may limit replay value for some players. Overall, the positive aspects of the game's replay value outweigh the negatives, making The Banner Saga a game that offers enjoyable replayability for fans of the genre.

TL;DR

replay value

Overall Verdict

MONSTER

OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION

Monster Score

Positive (80-100)

75%

Mixed (50-79)

25%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.

The overall sentiment towards The Banner Saga is overwhelmingly positive, with the majority of critics praising the game for its unique and captivating experience. One of the standout aspects of the game that is consistently praised is its stunning artwork and visuals. Critics such as Gameplanet and Game Informer commend the game for its beautiful art style, which adds to the immersive and atmospheric nature of the game. The hand-drawn visuals are often described as breathtaking and contribute to the overall enjoyment of the game. Additionally, the game's music and sound design are also highly regarded, with critics like Game Over Online and IGN highlighting the excellent soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. In terms of gameplay, The Banner Saga is commended for its deep strategic elements and challenging combat. Critics such as Joystiq and Thunderbolt appreciate the complexity and depth of the game, with its tactical battles and meaningful player choices. The game's combat system is often praised for being engaging and enjoyable, while the decision-making aspect is lauded for adding a layer of depth and consequence to the gameplay. The game's storytelling is also highly regarded, with critics like Game Rant and The Digital Fix praising the impactful narrative and well-written dialogue. The game's lore and relatable characters are often mentioned as standout features that contribute to the overall enjoyment of the game. While the majority of critics have a positive view of The Banner Saga, there are some criticisms that are worth noting. Some reviewers mention that the game can be repetitive, with battles becoming monotonous over time. The lack of variety in battles is mentioned by Metro GameCentral and Push Square as a minor drawback. Additionally, some critics, such as ZTGD and GameStar, mention that the game may not be for everyone due to its challenging and punishing nature. The difficulty of the game is seen as both a positive and a negative aspect, with some critics appreciating the rewarding challenges while others find it frustrating. Overall, the consensus among critics is that The Banner Saga is a highly recommended game that offers a unique and captivating experience. The game's stunning artwork, engaging storytelling, and deep strategic gameplay are consistently praised. Critics such as Vooks, Game Revolution, and Gamer.nl express their enthusiasm for the game, recommending it to both RPG fans and newcomers alike. The overall verdict of the game is seen as very positive, with critics like Hardcore Gamer and PlayStation Universe describing it as a triumph and a must-play for strategy RPG fans.

TL;DR

Critics hail The Banner Saga for its breathtaking art, strategic gameplay, and engaging storytelling, recommending it as a must-play for RPG fans. Despite some criticism for repetitive battles and high difficulty, the consensus is overwhelmingly positive for this unique and captivating game.

MONSTER

Reviews

119 reviews found

100

USgamer

Jan 14, 2014