The Banner Saga

In short: The Banner Saga is a strategy game released in 2014 by Tobias Stolz, available on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo and Mobile. Our score: 8.5/10 (highly recommended).

The Banner Saga

A turn-based tactical game set in a dark fantasy world, where players lead a band of mercenaries battling monstrous creatures and treacherous foes. It's known for its challenging gameplay, deep customization, and permadeath mechanics.

The Banner Saga is a critically acclaimed tactical role-playing game developed by Stoic Studio. Released in 2014, it quickly garnered praise for its unique art style, branching narrative, and challenging turn-based combat. Set in a breathtaking, hand-drawn world inspired by Norse mythology, players embark on a perilous journey leading a caravan of Vikings and varl (horned giants) through a land on the brink of collapse. The sun has stopped in the sky, ancient gods are dead, and a new, mysterious threat known as the Dredge is sweeping across the land. The game's narrative is a central pillar of its appeal. Players are faced with difficult moral choices that directly impact the story's progression and the survival of their caravan members. Resource management, character development, and strategic combat encounters are all intertwined to create a truly immersive and often brutal experience. The Banner Saga is not afraid to punish players for their decisions, and the permadeath of beloved characters adds a significant weight to every choice a player makes. Beyond its engaging story, The Banner Saga boasts a deep and satisfying turn-based combat system. Positioning, character abilities, and environmental factors all play a crucial role in victory. Players must carefully manage their roster of heroes, each with unique strengths and weaknesses, to overcome increasingly difficult encounters. The game's distinct art style, reminiscent of animated feature films, further enhances the o…

Game details

Our review

The Banner Saga stands as a masterful example of a narrative-driven tactical RPG. Its stunning hand-drawn art style and evocative soundtrack immediately draw you into a world steeped in Norse mythology, facing an apocalyptic threat. The story is a true highlight, presenting players with genuinely difficult moral choices that have tangible and often harsh consequences, including the permadeath of beloved characters. This weight of decision-making elevates the narrative beyond simple good-versus-evil tropes. Combat is strategically deep, offering satisfying turn-based encounters that demand careful planning and resource management. While challenging, it rarely feels unfair, rewarding thoughtful positioning and ability usage. Character customization and progression are robust, allowing for diverse team compositions. The game's consistent difficulty, however, might be a hurdle for some players, and the slower pacing of dialogue segments, while crucial for world-building, can occasionally…

Pros

Cons

FAQ

Is The Banner Saga a difficult game?
Yes, The Banner Saga is known for its challenging gameplay, especially in combat and due to its permadeath mechanics. Resource management and tactical decisions are crucial for survival.
Are my choices really important?
Absolutely. Your choices in dialogue and events have significant, often far-reaching consequences that impact the story, your caravan's survival, and even character permadeath.
How long is The Banner Saga?
A single playthrough typically takes around 10-15 hours, but this can vary depending on your playstyle and how much you explore the dialogue and side events. There are also subsequent games in the trilogy.
Can I transfer my save to The Banner Saga 2?
Yes, one of the great features of The Banner Saga trilogy is the ability to import your save file from one game to the next, carrying over your choices, dead characters, and surviving caravan members.

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Last updated: 04/04/2026