The Banner Saga 2

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.

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In "The Banner Saga 2", players continue their epic journey across a ravaged world, making tough leadership decisions and employing strategic combat tactics to keep their Viking clans alive. The game features a new survival mode and an official soundtrack as part of its digital deluxe edition. As with the first game, player choices significantly affect the story's outcome.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

82%

Audience ScoreBased on 3,369 reviews

story1,114 positive mentions

stability48 negative mentions

Stunning artwork and animation that enhances the storytelling experience.
Engaging and impactful narrative with choices that truly matter.
Improved combat mechanics and character progression, adding depth to gameplay.

story
2,690 mentions
41 % positive mentions
57 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The story of "The Banner Saga 2" is a direct continuation of its predecessor, expanding on the rich narrative and character development established in the first game. Players navigate a complex plot that intertwines the fates of multiple factions, making choices that significantly impact the story's progression and outcomes. While the storytelling remains compelling and atmospheric, some reviewers noted that the pacing suffers from a cliffhanger ending and a lack of resolution, leaving players eager for the conclusion in the third installment.
- “The story is literally why your caravan is moving from place to place and without knowing the events of the previous game, the impact of some moments will be lost on you.”
- “The plot and narrative of the game are the real strong point.”
- “The story continues to be excellent and is a joy to take in.”
- “Unfortunately, continuing the story from a save file of the previous game did not work.”
- “There are missing cutscenes, plot threads that aren't followed up on, a too large cast with little to do, and what is followed up on is largely disregarded or handwaved, a common problem with second games in series where they drop an old storyline just to reintroduce a redundant one with the same beats.”
- “The story felt very hollow compared to the first one.”
gameplay
862 mentions
34 % positive mentions
62 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "The Banner Saga 2" builds upon its predecessor, maintaining a similar turn-based combat system while introducing new mechanics, classes, and enemy types that enhance strategic depth. While some players appreciate the polished mechanics and engaging narrative, others find the gameplay repetitive and lacking significant innovation. Overall, the game is praised for its beautiful art and storytelling, though some critiques highlight issues with user experience and the clarity of gameplay mechanics.
- “The gameplay is intense, every decision matters, and the entire world is like a living and breathing work of art.”
- “The banner saga 2 takes the original, with its brilliant story, meaningful choices and consequences, deep and engaging characters, and entertaining gameplay, and improves it even further.”
- “The tactical gameplay design is simple yet relatively deep but most of all is fresh, it's an all new way of making square-grid, turn-based tactics and it works like a charm.”
- “First of all, not only does this trash game have no keybinding or disability options, which should make it a borderline hate crime, but it has the laziest gameplay design I've seen in years.”
- “The gameplay is the weakest point of these games but it's still enjoyable.”
- “However, I keep on having to convince myself to keep playing because the gameplay is bad.”
graphics
519 mentions
64 % positive mentions
35 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The graphics of "The Banner Saga 2" are widely praised for their stunning hand-drawn art style, which evokes a sense of traditional Scandinavian folklore and enhances the game's atmospheric storytelling. While some reviewers noted that the visuals are not significantly different from the first installment, they still appreciate the beautiful aesthetics and immersive environments that contribute to the overall experience. However, a few critiques mention that certain animations and character expressions could be improved, and some graphical glitches were encountered during gameplay.
- “The art style of the game is fantastic; I want to soak in every detail that the designers have created.”
- “Graphics & sound: the sound and graphics are beautiful and extremely atmospheric.”
- “The banner saga is an incredibly rare mixture of beautiful artwork, engrossing story, and engaging tactical combat.”
- “You can see the limited budget: animations could be better, menus could be better, graphics could be better.”
- “When I returned to the game, the graphics were glitched which left the battle unplayable.”
- “And that's about it, not much to say since it's an exact copy of the first when we are talking combat and graphics.”
music
489 mentions
61 % positive mentions
38 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The music in the game has been widely praised for its emotional depth and atmospheric quality, with many reviewers highlighting the exceptional soundtrack composed by Austin Wintory, which effectively captures the game's themes and enhances the overall experience. The integration of Norse folk influences and the evocative sound design contribute to a captivating ambiance that complements the stunning visuals and storytelling. Overall, the music remains a standout feature, maintaining the high standards set by the previous installment while introducing new compositions that resonate with players.
- “The game's soundtrack is once again a standout feature, with new compositions that effectively capture the tone and mood of the game's story and characters.”
- “The visual style, soundtrack, and voice acting are all perfect, and come together to create a truly evocative experience.”
- “The music fits the brutality of war; blaring horns bombard the listener in fight sequences, and in the time between fights, the soundtrack helps keep tension high.”
- “The graphics are basic, many of the characters are loathsome, the music is obtrusive, but there is something about the story, and the desperate way the characters interact and the way the music weaves everything together I really like.”
- “Music, despite winning accolades, is pretty mediocre and repetitive, and worst of all doesn't 'fit' the graphics.”
- “That said, I do believe the soundtrack for purchase is a ripoff; the sound works best when complementing the visuals which are also amazing, to create a masterful atmosphere, but by themselves, the songs are good, but not great.”
atmosphere
120 mentions
65 % positive mentions
30 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is consistently praised for its unsettling yet beautiful qualities, effectively complementing the rich storytelling and character development. Players appreciate the stunning graphics, evocative soundtrack, and immersive art style that together create a gritty, melancholic Viking saga feel. Overall, the atmosphere is described as captivating and integral to the game's experience, enhancing the emotional weight of player decisions and the unfolding narrative.
- “The game's atmosphere is incredible and it had me hooked from start to finish.”
- “Austin Wintory (composer of Journey, Flow, Horn, The Banner Saga, and many more) does an exceptional job once again building the perfect rugged and fierce atmosphere for this mystical Nordic landscape.”
- “The atmosphere is rich, the decisions that you are faced with have meaning and dire purpose, and it is all housed in an interface that allows you to be absorbed in the grand tale itself without distraction.”
- “The only downside is that having imported save files from the first game, I found myself overpowered even on high difficulty, and that (and a very high renown income) affected the overall atmosphere of the game.”
- “As an unfortunate side-effect, this drains atmosphere from the story, as the approaching giant army of dredge hardly seems like a menace.”
- “The voice acting at the beginning is excellent but then completely disappears and is replaced entirely by text of a type that might have worked in a Batman comic but fails miserably to capture the atmosphere of what is supposed to be a mighty Norse saga.”
replayability
98 mentions
27 % positive mentions
63 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is generally viewed as high, particularly due to the introduction of new character classes, branching story paths, and modes like survival that encourage experimentation with different strategies and character combinations. However, some players note limitations in the story mode's linearity and the lack of modding options, which can detract from the overall replay value. Overall, while many appreciate the depth and variety offered, opinions on replayability vary, with some finding it significantly rewarding and others feeling it falls short.
- “This game has near-infinite replayability, especially if you are into turn-based strategy battle games akin to HOMM series, XCOM, etc. The story mode is great, but survival mode is special, as it allows you to explore character combinations with very unique strengths and weaknesses in a way that the story cannot put together.”
- “The game has a lot of replay value since the decisions you make affect the game constantly.”
- “Having the ability to play as either Rook or Alette gives you additional replay value, since dialogue options vary depending on who you are playing as (the main story, however, remains the same).”
- “Not much replayability though.”
- “No modding, no trainers, no cheats whatsoever and therefore no replayability.”
- “However, although I've only played it through once it seems quite linear and short, and consequently doesn't have much going for it in terms of replayability.”
emotional
74 mentions
97 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised, with many players expressing deep attachment to the characters and a strong investment in the heartfelt storylines. While some found the sequel less impactful than the first due to a lighter emotional core, others highlighted its ability to evoke tears and laughter through challenging, heart-wrenching decisions. Overall, the game is described as a beautiful and immersive experience that leaves a lasting emotional toll on players.
- “This game, this trilogy, made me cry.”
- “I grew so fond of the characters and got so emotionally invested into the story that once the game was over it created a void in my soul.”
- “A gripping, and gorgeous animated epic that sweeps you up emotionally.”
stability
50 mentions
4 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
96 % negative mentions
The stability of Banner Saga 2 has been widely criticized, with numerous players reporting significant bugs and glitches that hinder gameplay, even years after its release. Many reviewers describe the game as "buggy" and "barely playable," highlighting issues such as character inconsistencies, graphical glitches, and frustrating randomization in battles. Despite its artistic merits and engaging story, the persistent technical problems have led to a general recommendation against playing the game until these issues are addressed.
- “The game runs 'straight out of the box' and appears to be bug-free.”
- “While I usually am hesitant to not recommend indie games, I cannot recommend Banner Saga 2 unless the glitches and bugs are patched.”
- “However, this game is horribly buggy, even 4-5 years after launch.”
- “But despite all the positives, it can't save itself from the fact that Banner Saga 2 is a buggy mess.”
character development
50 mentions
44 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
Character development in "The Banner Saga 2" is generally praised for its depth and continuity from the first game, with many reviewers noting the strong emphasis on meaningful choices and character relationships. However, some criticism arises regarding the bloated cast, which leads to underdeveloped characters and a rushed pacing that limits the exploration of character growth. Overall, while the game enhances the narrative and character mechanics, it struggles to balance its expanded roster with the depth of individual character arcs.
- “The Banner Saga 2 is a worthy continuation of the story, expanding upon the world-building and character development of the first game.”
- “It is a must-play for fans of the first game and anyone who enjoys narrative-driven games with a strong emphasis on character development and decision-making.”
- “They create grand majestic scenes, they take time to dive really deep into character development, they add in new world bits, and develop themes (like leadership, family, motivation, grief) in new provoking ways.”
- “It's a bleak, tedious, predictable ride void of any and all character development, growth, or relationships that culminates in a Mass Effect 3 level bad ending.”
- “The second game feels like it presents a more coherent story from the first, although it is more bloated with heroes that have little or no character development. I think it would have been served better by having fewer heroes with wider choices in leveling.”
- “Perhaps the biggest issue is that the character development for the swollen cast of possible fighters is a bit underbaked.”
grinding
44 mentions
2 % positive mentions
7 % neutral mentions
91 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and often frustrating, with many battles and gameplay mechanics lacking clear explanations, leading to a reliance on trial and error. While some appreciate the strategic depth and engaging story, the repetitive nature of combat and the necessity of grinding for achievements detracts from the overall experience. Despite these issues, the narrative and world-building elements keep some players invested, even as they navigate the grind.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The story is meh (first part was much better) and the battles get tedious real quick.”
- “What ruins this game is the crap tedious turn-based combat, which has 2 types of stats that you must overcome and is unbalanced as hell.”
- “Several of the end game missions were needlessly tedious.”
optimization
22 mentions
18 % positive mentions
68 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is mixed; while it runs smoothly for many players and is praised for its cohesive design and tactical variety, some users report performance issues, particularly with frame rates dropping on the heroes screen and sluggish combat. Despite these concerns, the game is generally considered to have better performance than its predecessor, with some players experiencing flawless technical performance.
- “Probably the most cohesive of the trilogy, with more tactical variety than its predecessor and without the performance issues and crashes of its sequel.”
- “The game runs smoothly and without issues.”
- “Flawless technical performance.”
- “Extremely annoying save system and poor performance.”
- “I experienced some performance issues with the game - and my PC is pretty powerful; I've been playing games like The Division and Witcher 3, and they run just fine.”
- “Performance: as you'd expect from an animated game, though there does seem to be a performance issue with the heroes screen, where frame rates will drop, perhaps due to the snow effects?”
humor
10 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as a blend of dark and light elements, providing moments of laughter amidst a generally depressing tone. Players appreciate the use of Scandinavian swear words, which adds a unique cultural touch, while some story events evoke both laughter and tears, creating an engaging emotional experience.
- “The tone is dark, depressing, yet it also feels fun to endure with specks of humor.”
- “Oh, and for me as a Norwegian, it's kind of funny to hear them use Scandinavian swear words.”
- “Avoiding spoilers, there were a few story events I didn't like and a few that made me laugh.”
monetization
8 mentions
25 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
75 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy for these games has drawn criticism for the high price of the deluxe edition compared to the regular version, as well as the presence of advertisements in the main menu, which many players find off-putting. While there are no microtransactions, the reliance on promotional content and side modes has left some users feeling dissatisfied.
- “The deluxe edition of these games has a high price tag compared to the regular price, but at least there aren't any actual microtransactions as the games progress.”
- “The deluxe edition of these games is quite expensive compared to the standard version, yet it's a relief that there are no microtransactions as the games continue to evolve.”
- “The deluxe edition of these games has an obscene price tag in comparison to the regular price, and they released cheesy survival mode content and other side games. At least there aren't actual microtransactions as the games move forward.”
- “There is advertisement in the main menu.”
- “There are plenty of shameless advertisements and plugs to get you to buy this or fund Banner Saga 3 in the main menu screen, which is rather off-putting in my opinion.”