The Banner Saga

The main pros of the game

• Art and Visuals: The game features some of the most beautiful hand-drawn art in gaming, reminiscent of classic animations, which many players found stunning and engaging.
• Story and Lore: The narrative is well-written and immersive, with complex themes and meaningful choices that impact the story. Players appreciated the depth of the story and the emotional weight of decisions.
• Soundtrack: The music is frequently praised for its atmospheric and melancholic qualities, enhancing the overall experience.
• Character Design: Characters are generally considered interesting and well-developed, contributing to the game's immersive storytelling.
• Gameplay Mechanics: The game features a unique combat system that relies on strategic decision-making, minimizing randomness and emphasizing player agency.

The main cons of the game

• Combat System: Many players found the combat repetitive and simplistic, with a lack of varied strategies and skills for different classes. The mechanics of health equating to damage were seen as limiting and frustrating.
• Resource Management: The use of renown as a currency for multiple purposes (upgrading characters, supplies, etc.) was criticized for creating an unfun balancing act that detracted from the gameplay experience.
• Character Development: Some users felt that not enough screen time was given to a majority of the characters, leading to a lack of emotional investment in their fates.
• Pacing and Length: The game was described as short, with some players feeling that it served more as a prologue to the sequels rather than a complete standalone experience.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

• Voice Acting and Character Animation: Players wished for more voice acting and character animations to enhance immersion and emotional engagement.
• Improved Combat Depth: Many users expressed a desire for a more complex combat system with varied skills and strategies to prevent battles from feeling monotonous.
• Clearer Decision Consequences: Some reviews pointed out that the consequences of certain choices were not always clear, leading to frustration when players felt their decisions had significant and unpredictable impacts on gameplay.
• User Interface Improvements: Several users noted that the UI was clunky and unintuitive, with issues such as slow loading times, a lack of clarity in character stats, and cumbersome inventory management.
• Better Introduction to Characters and Lore: A few players felt that the game's introduction to its world and characters was confusing and could benefit from a more thorough setup to enhance understanding and investment in the story.

Summary

• Overall, "The Banner Saga" is praised for its artistic and narrative strengths but criticized for its combat mechanics and pacing, leading to a mixed reception among players.

Summary generated on: October 24, 2025