The Banner Saga 3

 PlayStation 4
The Banner Saga 3 Image
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critics What's this?

User Score
6.6

Mixed or average reviews- based on 20 Ratings

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  • Summary: The pack contains a rank 10 Dredge Stoneguard character called Kivi, the unique Tank combat ability, the 'Sculptor's Tools' item, an exclusive Dredge Heraldry, a heroic tale called 'Shield Cleaver,' and an exclusive Banner Saga 3 overture track from Austin Wintory.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 10
  3. Negative: 1 out of 10
  1. Push Square
    Jul 27, 2018
    90
    A fantastic tactical role-playing game that confidently concludes the overarching storyline of the series in a manner entirely befitting with what has come before. Little has changed on the combat front - although this game does perhaps feel a mite easier than first two Banner Saga titles - but it's the storytelling where the release truly excels. The stakes are high, and after two and a half games spent getting to know dozens of wildly different characters, watching their fates unfold during the superb finale can be both exhilarating and soul-destroying.
  2. Playstation Universe
    Jul 26, 2018
    90
    A fittingly bombastic end to one of the best tactical RPG series on PS4, The Banner Saga 3 closes the book on a trilogy that fans of strategy and epic, sprawling stories should embrace immediately.
  3. PlayStation LifeStyle
    Jul 26, 2018
    90
    It’s not often that games are made with the kind of style and substance that The Banner Saga 3 has been, and, much like a good book, it’s nearly impossible to put down until it all comes to a close, where, inevitably, you’ll feel like a small piece of you was left with it in exchange for something new, the way all great stories make us feel.
  4. Jeuxvideo.com
    Aug 4, 2018
    80
    The Banner Saga 3 brings this amazing series to a close. As we had expected, Stoic Games delivers an epic ending: there’s so much mastery in each element of the game you couldn’t ask for a better way to say goodbye to the Saga.
  5. Gamers Heroes
    Aug 23, 2018
    80
    The Banner Saga 3 puts a cap on a great trilogy with a fantastic ending.
  6. PSX-Sense.nl
    Aug 10, 2018
    75
    The third part of The Banner Saga feels more like a third chapter as opposed to an entirely new game. Nevertheless, the game is atmospheric, captivating and overall a lot of fun to play. Fans will enjoy themselves with this final part of The Banner Saga trilogy. Innovative features are lacking however, which is something you should be aware of if you've enjoyed previous iterations.
  7. Slant Magazine
    Aug 3, 2018
    40
    The culmination of this tedious saga might be far more alleviating for the player than it is for the game's characters.

See all 10 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. Professorfett
    Aug 7, 2018
    9
    The saga has finally come to an end with The Banner Saga 3 and unlike other trilogies that seem like the third game was never planned so IThe saga has finally come to an end with The Banner Saga 3 and unlike other trilogies that seem like the third game was never planned so I feels rushed; this series felt like it was planned from the beginning to be three games. Before i go any further with how much I love this game I will say do not jump into the series with the third game. You will be lost, and annoyed with immediately.

    The game story is the end of end times. You play (or make decisions as) a couple of characters, but mostly Rook/Alette who are the leaders of the caravan trying to protect the last city for humanity. Their storyline is very Game of Thrones with political discord, betrayals and characters dying like they're on the set of The Walking Dead. The other story is focused on those trying to stop this calamity you mainly play as a Varl (giant with horns) named Iver. This story is more about survival, and how far are you willing to push your crew to make it to the end in time to save everyone. The game is text heavy...like the story is all text so if you hate that stay the hell away from it. For those who have played the first two games maybe replay them before you jump in this one because it can get a bit confusing on what is going on at first. I am unfortunately split on how I liked the ending. They have multiple endings which is good. I made bad decisions and believe I got the bad ending. I only say that because there was no closure for most of my characters. The game sorta just ended for me. This left me with a "that's it?" feeling. I do adore the story up until my ending, but that was mine others might have a kick-ass heroic ending.

    The gameplay is a great turned based strategy that is in a lot of ways like a game of chess. I love it even if I might not be very good at it. The multiple races make the game feel unique on how you build your team. You will want a balance of Horseborn (centaurs), Varl, and humans because they all bring different abilities to the fights. The leveling up is the same with using renown to level up, and buy resources. The level cap on characters is smaller than you'd imagine, but that is because there are over 40 characters!

    Overall the game is rounding off a great trilogy if you're a fan of the series then you probably already bought it. If you read my review, and never touched the games before seriously do not start with this one you will be lost and upset. The story is fantastic even though I got a terrible ending, but I blame myself. I give this a high, high BUY.    … Expand
  2. Lvl8Landlord
    Jul 29, 2018
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I love The Banner Saga; and that’s why I’m disappointed with the third part of the trilogy.

    This will be more of a criticism than a review because I’ll be listing all the things that I disliked so everything that doesn't get mentioned is something I liked or thought was fine. I’m looking at this game as part of a trilogy, not as a standalone release.

    The combat gets more gimmicky and boring the higher you rank your characters. Why even focus on tactics? Just chop away some armor and let your criticals, exploits or even critical exploits do the rest; voila. I remember getting acquainted with archers and the passive puncture ability in part 1 and loved it. It made archers so much more interesting, especially with Bird of prey. But now why bother with them? Every character can get puncture now, simply put three points into it and equip an item to enhance the change for the exploit further. The higher the rank the less exciting it gets, you’re just raising the chance something will happen. It’s more gambling than strategy, just percentages and chance game play. It’s almost the opposite of Banner Saga 1 where, especially on Hard, equipping items had to be thought out to create the synergy needed to win. And while I’m on the subject of items; in 3 they are all lame. Not one item, be it bought, found or won in battle was interesting, again, mostly percentage for this, percentage for that.
    Combat ends up feeling cheap and somewhat dumb and that’s such a weird experience in a game series which started out being all about quality and detail in a very authentic way.

    Banner Saga 2 had some shocking reveals story wise, the kind of which were basically exempt in 3. Most of it we knew already, the extra lore was very minimal. No real surprises, very blend. The follow up from siding with Rugga is pretty much non existent; it takes 3 short events and you're right at how the story would play out anyway. If you’re not going to give a storyline the proper attention then just don't bother with it. The possible deaths of Rook/Alette felt very unnecessary and forced, it didn’t do those characters justice at all. It feels rushed and somewhat amateuristic.

    And then there is the final ‘battle’, which was short and not in any way hard. Bolverk didn’t have any new abilities despite being resurrected by green giant serpent spit (I personally don't have any experience with that but it seems like something that would have somewhat of an effect on you). He’s basically just another Varl that gets to hits twice. If you ever played survival mode this battle will feel trivial. It takes a few minutes and then boom; that's the end of Bolverk, one of the most prominent characters of the series.
    The ending is so abrupt and empty in general. Not even some simple cutscenes of how our hero’s lived on after the game. So many loose ends, so many characters that don’t get mentioned in any way. Alette and Ludin romance? Vognir’s death? Etc. How is it possible they would end a story driven game without a proper story ending? It’s Mass Effect 3 all over again. The half the earth ending is just weird, it implies that the serpent somehow deserves to get his way while we know it’s an entity created out of jealousy and spite.

    When I first heard about the kickstarter campaign (which ended up totaling over 400k) I got excited; more funds must mean more detail, more story, more everything. But it even sounds like they used the same voice actor for Iver in 3 as they did for Bolverk in 2?

    Banner Saga 2 was a step up from it's already great predecessor; this third and final installment is a step down from both 1 and 2, and it's a shame.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

48
#48 Best PS4 Game of 2018

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