The Banner Saga 2

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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

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,657 reviews

story positive mentions

stability negative mentions

Stunning artwork and animation that enhances the storytelling experience.
Engaging and emotionally impactful story with meaningful choices that affect the outcome.
Improved combat mechanics and character progression, adding depth to the gameplay.

Some bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, such as characters losing abilities or issues with unit positioning.
The story ends on a cliffhanger, leaving many questions unanswered and feeling incomplete.
Combat can feel repetitive and punishing, especially with the turn order mechanics that can lead to frustrating situations.

story
1,333 mentions
41 % positive mentions
57 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The story of "The Banner Saga 2" continues directly from its predecessor, offering a rich narrative filled with moral dilemmas and character development that deeply engages players. While the game introduces new perspectives and expands the lore, some players feel it lacks the same impact as the first installment, particularly due to its cliffhanger ending and the complexity of managing multiple storylines. Overall, the storytelling remains a standout feature, complemented by stunning visuals and a haunting soundtrack, making it a compelling experience for fans of narrative-driven games.
- “The Banner Saga 2 is a perfect game for tactical turn-based lovers with a great plot that keeps you playing.”
- “The story has an immense scope, but it also gives you time to meet many of its ever-growing cast of strong characters and to become fond of them.”
- “The plot and narrative of the game are the real strong point.”
- “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.”
- “From the story point of view, Banner Saga 2 is weaker than the first part; the story is less fluid, the characters get less development, and there's no epic battle in the final.”
- “The story ends without resolution, which, of course, means a new saga is sure to be released, but I love how all the meaningful choices from the first game are still present in this one, and I bet the trend continues into the third game.”
gameplay
426 mentions
34 % positive mentions
62 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "The Banner Saga 2" largely retains the mechanics of its predecessor, offering a familiar turn-based combat system with some enhancements, such as new character classes, abilities, and strategic elements that add depth to battles. While some players appreciate the minor improvements and the continuation of the story, others find the gameplay repetitive and lacking significant innovation, with some mechanics feeling cumbersome or poorly explained. Overall, the game is praised for its engaging narrative and beautiful art, but opinions on the gameplay experience vary, with some considering it a solid evolution and others viewing it as a missed opportunity for more substantial changes.
- “The gameplay is intense, every decision matters, and the entire world is like a living and breathing work of art.”
- “The gameplay has been improved well enough and even if there is no progress in the game mechanics, I will be happy to play a third part of this epic saga.”
- “The gameplay is fun, nothing too extraordinary when it comes to combat though.”
- “First of all, not only does this trash game have no keybinding or accessibility 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.”
- “The gameplay is fine; however, the user experience makes the experience sometimes tedious, requiring some trial and error to learn what everything does, as the game doesn't explain it very well during combat.”
graphics
256 mentions
63 % positive mentions
36 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning, hand-drawn art style that evokes a sense of traditional Scandinavian folklore, reminiscent of classic Disney animations. While the visuals maintain a high level of beauty and atmospheric quality, some reviewers noted that the animations could be improved and that the overall graphical fidelity hasn't significantly advanced from the first installment. Despite minor criticisms, the artwork and aesthetic remain a standout feature, enhancing the game's storytelling and immersive experience.
- “The art style of the game is fantastic; I want to soak in every detail that the designers have created.”
- “Graphics and sound: the sound and graphics are beautiful and extremely atmospheric.”
- “The artwork and gameplay are really solid and create the rugged and cold atmosphere characterized by this type of fiction.”
- “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 that I really like.”
- “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.”
music
241 mentions
60 % 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 enhances the storytelling and gameplay experience. The integration of Norse folk influences and the evocative sound design contribute to a captivating ambiance that resonates throughout the game. Overall, the music remains a standout feature, maintaining the high standards set by the previous installment while introducing new compositions that enrich the narrative.
- “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 music is 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.”
- “While I love the music, one of the tracks was recorded oddly, and at the start of a battle every once in a while will begin with this terrible ear-piercing screech.”
atmosphere
60 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 immersive art style, evocative soundtrack, and the overall sense of tension and melancholy that permeates the experience. While some minor issues were noted, the game's ability to create a captivating and atmospheric world remains a standout feature.
- “The atmosphere is so unsettling and it really fits the game.”
- “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 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.”
- “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.”
- “As an unfortunate side effect, this drains atmosphere from the story, as the approaching giant army of dredge hardly seems like a menace.”
replayability
49 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 classes, branching story paths, and modes like survival that encourage experimentation with character combinations and decision-making. However, some players note limitations in replay value due to linear storylines and a lack of social interactivity. Overall, while many appreciate the depth and variety offered, opinions vary, with some finding it less replayable than its predecessor.
- “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.”
- “The abundance of varying paths and caravan decisions encourages multiple playthroughs, giving the game a nice replay value.”
- “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
37 mentions
97 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised, with many players expressing deep connections to the characters and storylines, often leading to tears and heartfelt moments. While some reviewers noted a slight decline in emotional investment compared to the first game, the overall narrative remains gripping and impactful, with choices that carry significant weight. The series is celebrated for its ability to evoke strong feelings, making players feel both joy and heartbreak throughout their journey.
- “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.”
- “But it's a boring story for me.”
- “The emotional moments felt forced and unconvincing.”
- “I didn't connect with the characters at all; their struggles felt superficial.”
stability
25 mentions
4 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
96 % negative mentions
The stability of Banner Saga 2 has been widely criticized, with numerous players reporting persistent bugs and glitches that significantly hinder gameplay. Despite some positive aspects like storytelling and visuals, many reviewers describe the game as "buggy" and "barely playable," leading to frustration and a lack of recommendation until these issues are addressed. Overall, the game's stability issues overshadow its strengths, making it a challenging experience for players.
- “The game runs 'straight out of the box' and appears to be bug-free.”
- “I haven't encountered any issues or bugs while playing, which is impressive.”
- “The stability of the game is remarkable; it feels polished and reliable.”
- “I wanted to enjoy the continuation from Banner Saga 1, but this second game seems rather buggy.”
- “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
25 mentions
44 % positive mentions
56 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Character development in "The Banner Saga 2" is generally praised for its depth and continuity from the first game, enhancing the narrative and allowing for meaningful choices. However, some reviewers note that the expanded cast leads to uneven development, with certain characters feeling underdeveloped. Overall, while the game excels in storytelling and character design, the pacing and bloated roster may hinder the full potential of character growth compared to its predecessor.
- “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.”
- “With how story-focused this game is and how the story carries on and builds off of the first game, you will be missing out on character development that happened in the first game.”
- “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.”
- “Perhaps the biggest issue is that the character development for the swollen cast of possible fighters is a bit underbaked.”
grinding
22 mentions
0 % positive mentions
9 % neutral mentions
91 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and often frustrating, with many battles and mechanics lacking clear explanations, leading to a repetitive experience. While some appreciate the strategic depth and engaging story, the reliance on grinding for achievements and resources can detract from enjoyment, making the gameplay feel slow and monotonous at times. Despite these issues, some players are drawn back by the compelling narrative and improved combat mechanics in later installments.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Grinding achievements: no.”
- “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
11 mentions
18 % positive mentions
73 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is mixed; while it is generally cohesive and runs smoothly without major issues, some players report specific performance problems, particularly with the heroes screen and during combat. Despite these concerns, many appreciate the game's visual quality and technical performance, with some noting that it performs better than its predecessor. However, a few users experienced sluggishness and frustrating save system issues, indicating that optimization could still be improved.
- “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.”
- “Performance wise, The Banner Saga 2 handled like a champ.”
- “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?”
- “Extremely annoying save system and poor performance.”
- “Second, 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.”
humor
5 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of dark and depressing tones, interspersed with moments that evoke genuine laughter, including the use of Scandinavian swear words that resonate with players from that region. While some story events may not resonate with everyone, the overall experience is described as both fun and emotionally engaging.
- “I keep laughing and crying.”
- “Avoiding spoilers, there were a few story events I didn't like and a few that made me laugh.”
- “Oh, and for me as a Norwegian, it's kind of funny to hear them use Scandinavian swear words.”
monetization
4 mentions
0 % positive mentions
25 % neutral mentions
75 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy for these games has been criticized for its high-priced deluxe editions and the presence of advertisements in the main menu, which detracts from the overall experience. While there are no microtransactions, the reliance on promotional content and side games has left some players feeling frustrated.
- “The deluxe edition of these games has a high price tag compared to the regular version, but at least there aren't any actual microtransactions as the games progress.”
- “The monetization strategy is fair, as it offers a solid base game without forcing players to spend more on microtransactions.”
- “I appreciate that the game provides a complete experience without relying heavily on additional purchases or pay-to-win mechanics.”
- “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 ads in your game, what the heck?”