Turned out to be one of my favourite games I've played on my switch over the past 18 months. I thought it would at least be a decent game and I picked the trilogy up in a sale. A really great game that I genuinely wasn't expecting to enjoy as much as I did. You have to think about character placement on the battlefield, based on their strengths and weaknesses and who they are coming up against. The lasting effects of your characters being downed in battle (lasting regarding subsequent battles) makes in-combat choices all the more important, and so you don't just button mash your way through each battle. The only downside to this is the repititiveness of fighting the same kind of enemy. And the Norse mythology-inspired backdrop works so well. You also find yourself relating to the predicament of the people of the world in which the Banner Saga Trilogy is set.

I liken it to becoming engrossed in the behaviour of characters in a good book. Quite often in games of late, I've found I don't really care for the characters, so this was refreshing for me. I also found myself forming opinions on all of the different characters, but my perception of them would change with time. You care about the many choices you make along the way, trying to do what you think is best for your clan. Regarding the story and character interaction, you really become sucked into your decision making. I rarely had to pull the Switch out of its dock and use touch controls when trying to position units. Controls on controller can be a bit finicky sometimes. Cons: Currently no survival mode on the switch version, however devs are working on adding it. It'd be a shame to play in handheld mode if it weren't so perfect as a mobile game.

Visually, it is stunning & the soundtrack is fantastic. Every decision feels impactful and makes a meaningful difference on your future experience in the game. Due to a few key tweaks on the usual grid based battle mechanics, Banner Saga's also feels very different. Battle System is quick to understand, but there is plenty to master. Pros: Enjoyable story that sets very high stakes right from the outset that keep the player engaged and immersed. An excellent tactical strategy game that hits all the right marks you expect from the genre while managing to set itself apart from its An excellent tactical strategy game that hits all the right marks you expect from the genre while managing to set itself apart from its contemporaries.

The banner saga vinyl