![]() ![]() ![]() When compared to other tactical games such as X-COM or Hard West, it really is a strong contrast. Instead of the traditional 3D models of its peers, Stoic's role-playing game instead takes a more artistic approach, with lovingly drawn character models and locations. The Banner Saga remains fairly unique in terms of its art design when compared to other RPGs on the market. Not a lot has changed about how the game looks between its original release and this console re-release, and it's safe to say that the title is stunning. Alongside the plot, however, it is worth noting that The Banner Saga truly is a gorgeous game. Since its release, of course, the gameplay has never truly been the real pull of the award-winning game, with the game's narrative taking center stage. Although the game can sometimes feel a little sluggish or clumsy with a PS4 controller, particularly when selecting routes of movement within combat rounds, overall the fun of the title remains intact. Over recent years, however, consoles have been able to grant players a greater level of control without speed of play becoming an issue, and thankfully The Banner Saga continues this trend. In times gone by, consoles have not been able to provide the level of precision required from their PC counterpart when it comes to role-playing or tactical games. This simple change from Stoic adds a whole new dynamic to the gameplay, forcing a more cautious approach from the player when Armor and Strength levels can so drastically disappear. Rather than having separate health and strength, characters in The Banner Saga have a combined bar, meaning that the more health they lose, the weaker they are. The Banner Saga doesn’t shake up the turn-based mechanics enough to put off those familiar with the play style, but does enough to keep it interesting. The combat itself has travelled fairly well to consoles, too. It leads to each fight being a desperate encounter, and certainly keeps the player involved in every moment. There are no random encounters for the player’s party to build experience upon, instead relying entirely on the battles that take place throughout the group’s journey. The player needs to take decisive action, and hope that it works out correctly in the long run, and this in turn means that The Banner Saga makes the player question his or her own moral judgement.Īll in all, The Banner Saga is a brutal game to play, with a grim finality to the proceedings of a story where even the gods are dead. The Banner Saga takes the roguelike decisions seen in FTL: Faster Than Light and makes them a hugely important part of a deep narrative, and it works tremendously well. The banishment of a disruptive member of the convoy, or the failure to save another vital squad member, will change the game’s plot – if the player makes it to the end of the game at all. Although these quandaries may seem quite trivial when they are first encountered, the effects on the player’s success in the game can be astronomical. Between battles, the caravan’s journey across the treacherous terrain on its way to fairer pastures is halted through tough player choices. Overall, the game makes the player feel like every single moment is truly significant. The Banner Saga starts off with high stakes, and continues from there to tremendous effect. The game, which was one of the best new franchises of 2014, revolves around the journey of a convoy of humans and varl giants, fleeing from the vicious Dredge in a world where the sun has stopped in the sky. One of the main plaudits aimed at The Banner Saga when it first released was its story, and that has travelled formats perfectly. Now, the game has arrived on both PS4 and Xbox One, and continues to work well, even when taken away from its PC origins. As well as forging a path towards tablet devices, the developer also announced that the game would be making its way to consoles. The success of the original game also allowed Stoic to branch the first Banner Saga out onto platforms other than PC and Mac. The game proved so successful that Stoic is already working on a sequel. Not only that, but the game’s take on the traditional turn-based battle system made The Banner Saga a tactical RPG with a difference. ![]() The title provided the world of gaming with another fantastic universe to explore, and a story drenched in Nordic mythology. The response was spectacular, both in terms of funding and the end result. Created by a team of former BioWare employees under the name Stoic, the studio took to Kickstarter to fund the game. When The Banner Saga released in 2014, it proved to be a surprise hit with RPG fans. Stoic’s tactical RPG The Banner Saga makes its way to consoles, and still manages to deliver a fantastic, captivating story alongside a fun and challenging battle system. ![]()
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