And Austin Wintory’s haunting original soundtrack matches up perfectly with the dreary tone of the setting.Release Date: JanuDeveloper: Stoic Publisher: Stoic Platform: PC (reviewed) Genre: Tactical RPG, Visual Novel But the art design itself is really gorgeous, with a Don Bluth-inspired look that makes the Dredge look like a second cousin to The Iron Giant, and stunning backdrops that’ll wow you as your caravan rolls through the countryside. It looks and sounds wonderful: Compared to most AAA-style games, The Banner Saga was made on a shoestring budget with a tiny team-and it shows in the dry menus and minimal animation. While not the most approachable tactical RPG I’ve ever played-the UI in particular could be a bit more refined and/or better explained-the combat itself is satisfying, and there’s a real thrill to planning a strategy and then properly executing on it. You’ll command a squad of up to six fighters, each of which can be lightly customized and upgraded over time, and each of which also has its own strengths and weaknesses. And we can’t say enough about those gorgeous backdrops. Many of the decisions you make affect the size and makeup of your caravan, and you’ll need to maintain resources to keep them alive. Skirmishes play out like in classics such as Final Fantasy Tactics and Tactics Ogre, with each turn providing the ability to move a hero a certain number of squares and then perform an action, whether it’s a melee or weapon attack or perhaps a magic/support interaction.
The combat is pretty serious: Even with the cartoonish, colorful look, the grid-based battles in The Banner Saga are no laughing matter. Choose wisely, even when it comes to seemingly mundane quandaries. Not every choice seems significant, such as deciding how best to deal with a rambunctious drunk who keeps causing trouble, but your reactions affect how the others see you and can test their allegiance to your crew. The turn-based combat is similar to that of other tactical RPGs, such as Final Fantasy Tactics, with a grid serving as your shared battleground. Even dialogue selections feed into how the storyline twists and turns on the road ahead, and you’ll need to mind your moral compass while also considering what’s best for your allies and continued survival. However, it’ll make you pay for your slip-ups and deal with the consequences of any tough judgment calls. It’s your call: The Banner Saga frequently empowers you to make decisions about almost everything, from the makeup of your ever-changing caravan to the tactics you take in battle.
Not totally convinced? Here are three reasons why The Banner Saga is one of the top RPGs available for iOS today. But this long-lasting and solidly replayable adventure provides more than enough richness and value to justify its premium entry fee.
The Banner Saga is light on animation, but the mostly-still imagery is detailed and highly evocative.Ĭompared to the average App Store game, The Banner Saga’s $10 asking price is ambitious-even if it’s half the price of the computer version.
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