The Banner Saga Video Game Series
Planned as a trilogy, the series of tactical RPGs inspired by Norse mythology. The brand was developed by independent studio Stoic, composed of three former BioWare employees. The publisher of the title is the American company Versus Evil, whose primary goal is to help smaller developers compete with stronger and more resourceful concerns.
The first part of the series The Banner Saga was released in early 2014. Development work began in 2012 with a fundraising campaign on Kickstarter - the requested $100,000 was raised in one day, and the campaign eventually closed with more than seven times that amount. In the first instance, the game appeared on personal computers, but in time it also arrived on mobile devices and consoles.
The multiplayer component was released earlier (in 2013) as The Banner Saga: Factions. Players could create their own team of up to six characters (out of sixteen available classes), which they then pitted against teams of other users. Plot-wise, the game's action was set before the events of the single-player campaign of the first part of the series. The title was based on a free-to-play model with micropayments.
The second part was released in 2016. Game The Banner Saga 2 continued the threads that had been started, and also introduced improvements in gameplay mechanics. The title was received very positively, with reviewers emphasizing more varied combat and a mature, nuanced storyline. The production was released on personal computers and eighth-generation consoles.
In addition, the series lived to see a board game project designed for 2-4 players. The Banner Saga: Warbands was funded on Kickstarter, and a small company MegaCon Games (originally MERCS Miniatures), which specializes in board games, is responsible for its development.
The series is set in a fantasy world inspired by Norse mythology; a decision prompted by the company's desire to move away from the overused atmospheres of magic, elves and orcs. The story revolves around the fate of a community of Vikings who are fleeing an impending doom. The whole thing is realized in the convention of road stories.
The gameplay consists mainly of fighting battles on maps covered with a grid of squares. Our forces consist of several heroes, chosen from a dozen available, and the whole thing is played in a turn-based system, which brings to mind such titles as Final Fantasy Tactics or Shining Force. Although the basic rules of combat are simple to master, as the game progresses we discover more and more nuances and dependencies, so the title remains challenging at all times. The developers decided to present a serious, emotionally engaging story. Therefore, in addition to skirmishes, an important element of the mechanics is making decisions about the further fate of our charges - often these are difficult and ambiguous choices that have a significant impact on the development of the story. In addition, the series contains a number of elements typical of RPG games - gaining experience, character development, developing skills and statistics.
A characteristic feature of the series The Banner Saga is two-dimensional, cartoonish graphics inspired by the works of Eyvind Earle, responsible for the Sleeping Beauty - the 1959 Disney animated film. Most of the elements - including characters and backgrounds - were created from hand drawings. The fairy-tale style harmonizes with the serious subject matter, giving the whole a somewhat melancholy feel, further emphasized by the raw but moving music track.
The Banner Saga Series Evolution
2018
The Banner Saga 3
2018
The Banner Saga Trilogy
2016
The Banner Saga 2
2014
The Banner Saga
2013
The Banner Saga: Factions
The Banner Saga 3
RPG
July 26, 2018
The Banner Saga 3 is the third game of the turn-based strategy games series with RPG elements, developed by Stoic and inspired by Viking culture and beliefs. The plot continues the story from the previous games of the series. Once again, we lead a caravan of brave warriors who, in the face of the impending end of the world, have to defeat evil once and for all. When it comes to gameplay mechanics, not much has changed. The game is still a turn-based strategy with RPG elements. We will meet many NPCs, some of them will join us, and some will give us various quests to do. In combat, we lead a group of heroes who have different abilities and equipment. We can set up a camp to level up our warriors and equip them with better items between the battles. The Banner Saga 3 has a bit more darker, hand drawn 2D visuals that bring to mind Disney animated movies.
The Banner Saga Trilogy
RPG
July 26, 2018
A special retail edition of the complete Banner Saga series. The package features all three installments and a few bonuses like a poster and a soundtrack.
The Banner Saga 2
RPG
April 19, 2016
An RPG developed by the Stoic Games studio, and a sequel to the original 2014 The Banner Saga. The game's story follows the events of the first installment and takes us back to a fantastic realm inspired by Scandinavian mythology, where we take control of a caravan of men and giants, trying to survive the end of the world. The essential element of the title are the turn-based battles, characterized by simple rules, but also by a tactical depth. During the game, we regularly have to make difficult decisions that have a significant impact on the development of the plot and the story's ending. The game features a typical character development system, in which the experience gained in battles is used to purchase new skills and improve character stats. Like the first installment, the product implements an attractive 2D graphic style, giving off impression of an interactive cartoon.
The Banner Saga
RPG
January 14, 2014
Inspired by the Nordic mythology, a cRPG developed by the independent studio Stoic, whose members worked on, for example, Star Wars: The Old Republic. The action takes us to a world where fratricidal bloodshed between the gods led to chaos and wars. This is an "on the road" type of story, divided into two main plot branches, telling the stories of two Viking parties trying to escape from the threat posed by a mysterious, stone-like race called the Dredge, born as the result of gods’ experiments. Set in fantasy realities, the gameplay combines adventure and RPG elements with a turn-based combat system. With game's progress, your party gains experience and becomes more and more powerful. Also, the decisions you make will exert heavy influence on the plot. The game features amazing 2D graphics, employing art style similar to that of Walt Disney productions.
The Banner Saga: Factions
Strategy
February 26, 2013
The Banner Saga: Factions is a Stoic team's multiplayer strategy using a free micropayment model. The whole is focused on turn-based battles played between warriors belonging to the Viking clans. The game offers an extensive system of combat and hero development.
The Banner Saga Series News
New Game From The Banner Saga Devs May Contain RPG Elements
New information about the upcoming game from Stoic has appeared on the web. Project Belfry may contain RPG elements.
video games
Przemyslaw Dygas
May 9, 2022