The Banner Saga 2 Reviews
Where The Banner Saga stands head and shoulders above most other role-playing games is that the world created by Stoic Studio here feels truly on the precipice of collapse. So often when we play role-playing games we're given a rag-tag band of heroes who must join together to overcome a seemingly insurmountable threat. But for all the apocalyptic histrionics of games like Skyrim, Persona 4, or one of many Final Fantasy titles, there's always amusing side-quests to take part in or brief moments of levity to break up the tension. The Banner Saga 2 is a story about the end of the world, and few games do a better job of constantly reminding you of that fact.
An ambitious and yet more elegant evolution over the first Banner Saga, The Banner Saga 2 fires on all cylinders and provides one of the newest and most enthralling strategy series money can buy with an absolutely belting middle act. Much like the horned, Norse warriors that make up the rank and file of its cast, The Banner Saga trilogy is shaping up to be a fearsome entity indeed; its place in the pantheon of great strategy games already comfortably established.
The Banner Saga 2 is a mesmerizing and beautiful turn-based RPG with a deep and layered combat system while also delivering a strong narrative jammed with plenty of tough player decisions.
The Banner Saga 2 improves upon the original without reinvention, and it's just as brutal as the first. Like tactical strategy with a side of despair? Dig in.
The Banner Saga 2 is a worthy sequel to a great franchise. Combat is vastly improved, and the narrative is deep and rewarding, even as the game punishes the player every step of the way. The game suffers from a unwieldy UI, and some poorly placed setpieces that obscure the player's vision in combat, but these drawbacks are minor. I'm already looking forward to the conclusion to this planned-trilogy.
The Banner Saga 2 is a must-have for fans of Stoic's acclaimed original RPG, continuing the series with an equally strong narrative, beautiful visuals, and addictive combat.
The Banner Saga 2 is a stunningly animated game that sets a new standard for both presentation and narrative outside of the AAA sphere. The game does stumble with a poorly designed combat UI, and a claustrophobic battle system that doesn't offer much breathing room for different strategies. While monotonous, combat is serviceable, and doesn't greatly detract from what is otherwise a defining narrative tale.
Stoic's follow-up to its Viking-inspired fantasy is as relentlessly punishing as its Kickstarter-funded predecessor
The Banner Saga 2 is a beautiful sequel. There are moments where, as I watch the drama unfold in the dialogue and cutscenes, I almost forget I'm playing a game that came out in this decade. There's an evocative sense of timelessness about the story and world that few RPGs create.
The Banner Saga 2 continues the fantastic story or Rook, Hakon, Alette and Bolverk, with dynamic combat and the Horseborn keeping the battle boards fresh and unique with every fight.
Like the first one, just a bit better: more units, more enemies, new tactical situations. Choices and consequences are soul-crushing as ever, but it's all part of the fun.
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The Banner Saga 2 doesn't try to reinvent the wheel, it just makes the wheel bigger and keeps on rolling. Even with minor stumbles in the form of slow combat animation and initially overwhelming combat mechanics, it's a game that excels at what it aims to accomplish. Fans of the first game will love it, and entirely new players will come to love it. If you need a new tactical RPG in your life, make it The Banner Saga 2.
Too often RPGs and turn-based tactical battle games are the domain of knock off Middle-earths. Of poor fantasy pastiches stitched together with wizards sporting wispy gray beards, dwarves slurring cheap Scottish accents, and knights brandishing impractical shoulder pads. It is a joy and a treat to spend time with a world so different, so unique and intriguing. Even if it is a dying and depressing one.
2016's turn-based Golden Age continues
The Banner Saga 2 is a successful adventure whose world-building and tactical combat stands strong, and is enhanced by experience with its predecessor.
The Banner Saga 2 is a well-crafted, gut-wrenching tale
A solid follow-up, but it gets bogged down in plodding encounters in battle and on the overworld
More a new episode than a full-blown sequel, but the clever blend of strategic, tactical, and moral decision-making is as compelling as ever.
More a new episode than a full-blown sequel, but the clever blend of strategic, tactical, and moral decision-making is as compelling as ever.