The Banner Saga is a critically acclaimed tactical role-playing game series that transports players to a Norse-inspired fantasy world. Developed by Stoic Studio, this trilogy combines stunning hand-drawn visuals, strategic combat, and a compelling narrative that adapts to player choices. The game follows the journey of various characters as they lead their clans through a perilous landscape threatened by an ancient enemy.
Players must make difficult decisions that impact the survival of their caravan, manage resources, and engage in turn-based battles. The unique art style draws inspiration from classic Disney animations, creating a visually striking experience. An award-winning soundtrack by composer Austin Wintory enhances the epic atmosphere of the game.
The Banner Saga trilogy offers a seamless experience across multiple platforms, including PC, consoles, and mobile devices. Each installment builds upon the previous one, with player choices carrying over to shape the ongoing narrative. This interconnected storytelling approach creates a deeply personalized adventure that unfolds differently for each player.
Exploring the World of The Banner Saga
What is The Banner Saga?
*The Banner Saga* is a trilogy of tactical role-playing games (RPGs). It is known for its beautiful hand-drawn art style. It also has a strong focus on story and character choices. These choices impact the story. The games blend turn-based combat with Oregon Trail style caravan management. This makes for a unique gaming experience.
Story and Setting
The games are set in a Norse-inspired world. This world is facing a permanent twilight. The sun has stopped moving. The world is also dealing with a threat called the Dredge. The Dredge are a hostile race of stone creatures. The story follows different groups of survivors. They try to survive in this harsh world. Player choices affect who lives and dies. They also affect the story’s outcome.
Gameplay Mechanics
*The Banner Saga* has two main parts to its gameplay. One part is turn-based combat. This combat takes place on grid-based maps. Players control different characters. Each character has unique skills and abilities. The other part is caravan management. Players must manage resources. They must also make decisions about their caravan’s journey. These decisions can have big effects on the story.
Art Style and Music
One of the most striking things about *The Banner Saga* is its art style. The game uses beautiful hand-drawn 2D animation. This gives it a unique look. The music is also very good. It uses orchestral scores. This adds to the game’s atmosphere.
How This Compares to Other Tactical RPGs
*The Banner Saga* shares some things with other tactical RPGs. Here is a table showing some comparisons:
| Feature | The Banner Saga | Other Tactical RPGs |
|---|---|---|
| Art Style | Hand-drawn 2D | Varying styles |
| Story Focus | Strong narrative and choices | Varying story focus |
| Setting | Norse-inspired | Different settings |
Questions Players Might Have
Here are some common questions about the games:
- Are the games very hard? They can be challenging, especially on higher difficulties.
- Do my choices really matter? Yes, your choices have big effects on the story.
- Do I need to play the games in order? Yes, the story continues across all three games.
What This Means for the RPG Genre
*The Banner Saga* brought some fresh ideas to the tactical RPG genre. It showed that story and art style can be just as important as gameplay. It also showed that player choices can make a big difference in a game’s story.
Looking at Other Games with Similar Themes
If you like The Banner Saga, there are other games you might like. Fire Emblem is a series of tactical RPGs with strong stories. Final Fantasy Tactics is another popular tactical RPG. These games offer similar gameplay to The Banner Saga. They have different settings and stories.
Key Takeaways
- The Banner Saga combines tactical RPG gameplay with a rich, Norse-inspired narrative
- Player choices significantly impact the story and survival of characters throughout the trilogy
- The game features distinctive hand-drawn art and an award-winning musical score
Game Overview
The Banner Saga is unique in the crowded tactical RPG genre with its unique hand-drawn art style, mature storytelling, and significant player choices. The trilogy tells a compelling story of survival, loss, and tough decisions set in a beautifully crafted Norse-inspired world. By combining strategic turn-based combat with resource management and branching storylines, The Banner Saga provides a unique and immersive experience that lingers with players long after they finish the game. This blend of artistic vision and engaging gameplay has established *The Banner Saga* as a modern classic in the genre.
The Banner Saga offers a unique blend of tactical combat and narrative choice. Players guide a caravan through a Norse-inspired world, making decisions that impact both the story and gameplay.
Story and Setting
The Banner Saga takes place in a fictional world inspired by Norse mythology. A warlike race known as the Dredge threatens to destroy civilization. Players lead a group of Vikings on an epic journey across a harsh landscape.
The story unfolds through player choices. These decisions affect relationships between characters and the fate of the caravan. The game’s narrative adapts to player actions, creating a personalized experience.
Gameplay Mechanics
The game combines strategic combat with resource management. Players must balance the needs of their caravan with the demands of battle.
Combat uses a turn-based system on a grid. Each character has unique abilities based on their class. Players must use these skills wisely to overcome challenging encounters.
| Character Class | Main Ability | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Warrior | Shield Wall | Tank |
| Archer | Puncture | Damage Dealer |
| Varl | Slam | Area Control |
Outside of battle, players make choices about travel routes and resource allocation. These decisions impact morale and supplies, which in turn affect combat performance.
The game’s art style features hand-drawn animations and landscapes. This visual approach enhances the game’s Nordic atmosphere and storytelling.
Development and Release
The Banner Saga’s creation and launch involved a small independent studio and innovative publishing strategies. The game’s distinct art style and tactical gameplay emerged through careful planning and execution.
Stoic Studio
Stoic, an independent development studio, opened in January 2012. Three industry veterans – John Watson, Arnie Jorgensen, and Alex Thomas – founded the company after leaving BioWare. They turned to Kickstarter to fund the first part of their planned trilogy based on Viking mythology.
The team aimed to create a mature, story-driven experience. Their vision included hand-drawn animations and a player-driven narrative wrapped around tactical turn-based combat. This approach set The Banner Saga apart from other games in the genre.
Publication and Editions
Versus Evil published The Banner Saga in 2014 for personal computers and mobile devices. The game later expanded to other platforms, reaching PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in 2016 and Nintendo Switch in 2018.
Multiple editions offered fans different ways to experience the game:
| Edition | Features |
|---|---|
| Standard | Base game |
| Deluxe | Extra digital content |
| Stoic | Physical collectibles |
The Banner Saga: Factions, a free-to-play multiplayer version, launched before the main game. It served as both a promotional tool and a way to test and refine the combat system.
Art and Music
The Banner Saga stands out for its striking visual style and powerful soundtrack. These elements work together to create an immersive experience that draws players into the game’s Norse-inspired world.
Visual Style
The Banner Saga features hand-drawn art inspired by classic Disney animation. This unique approach gives the game a timeless quality, setting it apart from other modern video games. Characters and environments are rendered in rich detail, with a muted color palette that evokes the harsh Nordic setting.
Combat sequences are particularly impressive. Each battle unfolds like an animated film, with fluid movements and dramatic camera angles. The art style enhances the emotional weight of story moments, conveying character expressions and environmental details with remarkable clarity.
Landscapes in The Banner Saga are breathtaking. Snow-capped mountains, dense forests, and desolate tundras are depicted with care, creating a sense of scale and grandeur. This attention to detail extends to character designs, with each hero sporting distinct features and clothing that reflect their personality and background.
Soundtrack
The Banner Saga’s epic soundtrack was composed by Austin Wintory, known for his work on Journey. Wintory’s score blends orchestral arrangements with Nordic folk instruments, creating a sound that is both familiar and otherworldly.
Key tracks:
- “We Will Not Be Forgotten” – Main theme
- “How Did It Come to This” – Battle music
- “Huddled in the Shadows” – Atmospheric piece
The music adapts to gameplay, swelling during intense moments and quieting during more reflective scenes. This dynamic approach helps maintain the game’s emotional resonance throughout the player’s journey.
Wintory’s compositions have earned critical acclaim, with many reviewers praising how the music enhances the game’s narrative and atmosphere. The soundtrack stands as a powerful work in its own right, capable of evoking the game’s sense of adventure and melancholy even when listened to separately.
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Art Style | Hand-drawn, inspired by classic Disney |
| Color Palette | Muted, Nordic-inspired |
| Music Composer | Austin Wintory |
| Musical Style | Orchestral with Nordic folk elements |
Game Features
The Banner Saga offers strategic combat, diverse factions, and character progression. Players can choose from various heroes and upgrade options to suit their play style.
Factions and Heroes
The game features two main factions: humans and varl. Varl are giant horned warriors who form alliances with humans. Players can recruit a cast of powerful characters from both races.
Each hero has unique abilities and strengths. Some excel in melee combat, while others are skilled archers or mages. Players must carefully select their team composition to tackle different challenges.
The game’s narrative changes based on which heroes are chosen for the journey. This adds replay value and encourages players to experiment with different party combinations.
Character Progression
Characters in The Banner Saga can be upgraded as they gain experience. Players earn Renown, the game’s currency, by winning battles and making key decisions.
Renown can be spent on:
- Improving character attributes (Strength, Armor, Willpower)
- Unlocking new abilities
- Purchasing items
| Attribute | Effect |
|---|---|
| Strength | Determines health and attack power |
| Armor | Reduces damage taken |
| Willpower | Powers special abilities |
Players must balance their upgrades across the party. Specializing certain characters for specific roles can create a more effective team. The progression system allows for different strategies, catering to various play styles.
Critical Reception
The Banner Saga received generally favorable reviews upon release. Critics praised its art style, storytelling, and tactical combat system.
Many reviewers highlighted the game’s unique visual aesthetic. The hand-drawn animations and backgrounds drew comparisons to classic Disney films.
The narrative and world-building also garnered acclaim. Reviewers appreciated the mature themes and difficult choices presented to players throughout the journey.
Combat mechanics received mixed feedback. Some critics found the tactical battles engaging and challenging. Others felt the system lacked depth compared to similar games in the genre.
| Aspect | Praise | Criticism |
|---|---|---|
| Visuals | Stunning art style | – |
| Story | Compelling narrative | Some pacing issues |
| Combat | Tactical depth | Lack of variety |
| Music | Atmospheric score | – |
Player reception has been largely positive. On Steam, The Banner Saga maintains a “Very Positive” user rating. Fans praise the game’s:
- Engaging storyline
- Memorable characters
- Impactful player choices
- Atmospheric music and sound design
Some common criticisms from players include:
- Limited combat options
- Occasional difficulty spikes
- Desire for more content
Despite minor complaints, The Banner Saga has developed a dedicated fanbase. Its unique blend of storytelling and strategy gameplay resonated with many players.
Technical Information
The Banner Saga has specific hardware and software requirements for optimal performance on different platforms. These specifications ensure smooth gameplay and visual fidelity across various devices.
System Requirements
The Banner Saga supports multiple operating systems, including Windows and Mac. For Windows users, both Windows 7 and Windows 10 are compatible platforms. Mac players can enjoy the game on OSX systems.
Minimum hardware requirements for PC:
- CPU: 2.0 GHz Dual Core
- RAM: 2 GB
- GPU: DirectX 9 compatible
- Storage: 3 GB available space
Recommended specifications for enhanced performance:
- CPU: 2.4 GHz Quad Core
- RAM: 4 GB
- GPU: DirectX 10 compatible
- Storage: 3 GB available space
| Operating System | Minimum CPU | Recommended CPU | Minimum RAM | Recommended RAM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windows 7/10 | 2.0 GHz Dual Core | 2.4 GHz Quad Core | 2 GB | 4 GB |
| Mac OSX | 2.0 GHz Dual Core | 2.4 GHz Quad Core | 2 GB | 4 GB |
These requirements allow players to experience The Banner Saga’s distinctive, hand-drawn art style and tactical gameplay without technical issues. Meeting the recommended specs ensures smoother performance during complex battle scenes and cinematic moments.
Narrative Elements
The Banner Saga weaves a complex tale of survival and difficult choices. Its narrative draws heavily from Viking legend, blending mythology with a harsh, unforgiving world.
Main Characters
Rook and Alette serve as the primary protagonists, with their father-daughter relationship forming the emotional core of the story. Rook, a seasoned hunter, must lead his people to safety. Alette, his daughter, grows from a young girl into a capable leader throughout the trilogy.
Bellower, a powerful and seemingly immortal enemy, acts as the main antagonist in the first game. Juno, a mysterious Valka mender, plays a crucial role in unraveling the mysteries of the world.
The game features a large cast of supporting characters, each with their own motivations and backstories. Player choices determine the fate of many characters, adding weight to decisions.
Key Locations
The Banner Saga takes place in a world inspired by Norse mythology. Grofheim, the human capital, serves as a central hub early in the story. Einartoft, a dwarven stronghold, becomes a key strategic location.
Sigrholm and Boersgard are important human settlements encountered during the journey. Skogr, Rook’s home village, sets the stage for the opening of the first game.
Frostvellr and Ridgehorn represent harsh, inhospitable environments that test the caravan’s resolve. These locations showcase the game’s stunning hand-drawn art style, bringing the world to life.
| Location | Description | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Grofheim | Human capital | Starting point |
| Einartoft | Dwarven stronghold | Strategic location |
| Skogr | Rook’s village | Opening setting |
| Frostvellr | Harsh environment | Tests caravan’s resolve |
Community and Support
The Banner Saga has fostered an engaged player base through various online platforms. Fans connect to share strategies, discuss the story, and support each other’s gameplay experiences.
Player Engagement
The Banner Saga’s Steam Community serves as a hub for player interaction. Fans discuss gameplay tips, share fan art, and organize multiplayer matches.
Steam forums allow players to ask questions and get help with technical issues. Experienced players often step in to assist newcomers.
On Reddit, The Banner Saga subreddit provides another space for fan discussions. Players debate story choices, character builds, and game lore.
The developers at Stoic engage with fans through official channels. They provide updates on patches and new content releases.
Modding extends the game’s lifespan. The Nexus Mods page hosts user-created content like bug fixes and gameplay tweaks.
| Community Platform | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Steam Community | Forums, Guides, Screenshots |
| Discussions, Fan Theories | |
| Nexus Mods | User-created Content, Fixes |
Frequently Asked Questions
The Banner Saga trilogy offers a rich, strategic experience across multiple platforms. Players often have questions about game differences, save transfers, and optimal strategies.
What are the key differences between The Banner Saga Trilogy games?
Each game in The Banner Saga trilogy builds upon the previous one, expanding the story and refining gameplay mechanics. The first game introduces the core combat and caravan management systems. The second game adds new characters and enhances battle strategies. The third game concludes the epic tale with improved graphics and more complex decision-making.
How can I transfer my save file to The Banner Saga 2?
Save file transfer is straightforward. Players can import their choices and progress from the first game directly into The Banner Saga 2. This feature ensures continuity in character development and story outcomes across the series.
What platforms is The Banner Saga available on?
The Banner Saga is available on multiple platforms. Players can enjoy the games on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android devices. This wide availability allows fans to experience the saga on their preferred gaming system.
What is the recommended strategy for beginners in The Banner Saga?
New players should focus on resource management and careful combat tactics. Balancing supplies, morale, and renown is crucial. In battles, prioritize weakening enemies before defeating them. Making thoughtful choices during conversations can significantly impact the story and available resources.
How does the story progression work among the Banner Saga games?
The Banner Saga tells a continuous story across its three games. Player choices in each game affect the narrative and character relationships in subsequent installments. Key decisions made in earlier games can have far-reaching consequences, shaping the overall plot and available options in later chapters.
What is the estimated completion time for each game in The Banner Saga series?
Each game in the series typically takes about 10-15 hours to complete. This can vary based on playstyle and decision-making. Players who explore all dialogue options and take their time with strategic decisions may spend longer with each game.
| Game | Average Completion Time |
|---|---|
| The Banner Saga | 10-12 hours |
| The Banner Saga 2 | 12-15 hours |
| The Banner Saga 3 | 10-13 hours |
