Gameplay:

The Banner Saga is a very standard tactical RPG, and it will not disappoint fans of the genre. The battles are incredibly easy to fight (mechanics-wise), and the range of characters you can place on your team opens endless strategies. When it comes down to it, the battle gameplay does not do anything revolutionary, and if you have played any tactical RPG, you’ll definitely understand how The Banner Saga plays. That being said, it does everything within the battles very well, with the controls being simple and easy to grasp quickly.

Outside of battle, the player has more options to influence the overall story. Depending on which group you are following at the time, you will have access to different characters and their stories. The groups are on a constant trek across the map, with very little interaction with the player; this is not a downside however. It reminds me personally of a very Viking-esque “Oregon Trail” sort of vibe.



As the group traverses the landscape before them, a HUD menu is always present for the player at the top of the screen. It shows the number of fighters, Varl, and clansman that the group still has alive. It also keeps the player aware of the number of days that have passed, as well as the number of days left before the group runs out of food. In relation to that, the HUD also possesses a Morale meter, which will slowly decline with each passing day that the group continues walking. This leads the player to decide how long the group must go between resting. Resting will increase the group’s Morale, but it will also cost the group a day’s worth of food.

Whenever the group is moving forward or in a town that they have come to in their travels, the player will experience different story events. Each will require the player to choose responses based on a provided list of choices, and each will have its own unique outcome. Some events will pass without much of an impact, whereas I have had events that lost me half of my group (due to my own poor choices). It can really create scenarios where the player feels connected to the story and characters, trying to choose the best option for the most beneficial outcome.

Overall, the gameplay is solid. I love the ability to choose my characters and plan out my strategy for battles. I also love having my decisions impact the game. Whether it is a small change to the overall group, or large changes like character deaths, I felt my choices actually mattered. It was a very satisfying experience.