But its chess-like depth - which forces players to remain constantly aware of combatant positions, abilities, and statistics - remains as compelling a dozen hours into the game as it is at the start. With such terrific storytelling, combat risks taking a backseat. Things won't always unfold as you intend or to the advantage of your heroes, and the narrative is more convincing for it. The engaging story draws from the sort of drama, scenarios, and characters found in contemporary fantasy novels and charges players to make some very hard decisions that come with unpredictable repercussions. And it only gets better once you start playing. A sumptuous score composed largely of traditional Viking-like songs completes the game's spot-on, Norse-inspired fantasy setting. The Banner Saga satisfies straight out of the gate with gorgeous hand-drawn art that breathes life into both its frigid, forlorn world as well as its diverse cast of complex and colorful characters. Show moreįans of mythology-heavy fantasy and smart, turn-based tactics will devour this delightful indie gem for PCs and Macs. Should you let the female members of your small caravan become fighters to better defend the group? What do you do with a drunken troublemaker endangering the entire group? Should you solicit advice from your bitter rival? If you do, can you trust it? All these decisions will have impacts, large and small, on your caravan's strength, security, and likelihood of survival. The story sequences play out in still images and text and involve difficult decision making. The fighting sequences are set on grids where the player directs the movement and attacks of a small roster of characters with varying weapons and abilities, paying attention to various stats that affect each fighter's performance.

Play is broken into two categories: turn-based combat and decision-laden narrative. Relentlessly pursued through the cold wastes, players lead groups of fighters and clansmen from one town to the next, trying to keep as many of their people alive as possible. Set in a snowy, lonely world, THE BANNER SAGA tells the story of humans and a race of ancient horned giants working together against an encroaching evil called the Dredge.

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