The Banner Saga 3
What to Know
Average Score
- July 26, 2018
- Stoic
- RPG, Strategy
- Nom: Best Strategy Game (2018)
Critics Consensus
- July 26, 2018
- RPG, Strategy
- Nom: Best Strategy Game (2018)
Critics Consensus
# Reviews: 57
Gameplay can feel uneven, but Banner Saga 3 is ultimately satisfying and a beautiful end to the animated tactical RPG trilogy.
Awards & Recognition
Critic Reviews for The Banner Saga 3
Reviews
Silver TIER
47% of scored reviews fell within the range of 80 to 86 / 100
Chris Schilling (PC Gamer)
90/100
“A daring, exciting and bleakly powerful payoff that handsomely rewards your investment in its characters.”
Malindy Hetfeld (Eurogamer)
Recommended
“Stately, vivid and tragic, this brooding epic finally reaches its climax.”
Edmond Tran (GameSpot)
8/10
“Smart adjustments to mechanics make the act of playing the Banner Saga series finale feel as suspenseful as the story it tells.”
Outlet | Author | Score | Date | Quote | Read |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ACG | Jeremy Penter | Recommended | 07-26-2018 | "An amazing sequel to an excellent turn based game." | Read review |
CGMagazine | Amy Chen | 8.5 / 10 | 07-31-2018 | Beautifully hand-drawn artwork coupled with turn-based strategy and meaningful decisions. | Read review |
Chalgyr's Game Room | Pierre-Yves Lanthier | 9 / 10 | 09-05-2018 | The Banner Saga, The Banner Saga 2 and The Banner Saga 3 make for one very fulfilling experience. From the very start to the very end, the quality of the writing, the animations, the visuals, the music and choices you make mesh to create an experience that others would be hard pressed to match. Would I do it all over again? Not tomorrow but yes. There are still loads of choices that I would like to know the outcomes to and I would like to see the adventure through Alette’s eyes. | Read review |
COGconnected | Jake Hill | 88 / 100 | 07-26-2018 | The Banner Saga 3 is a proud continuation of the games that came before it. | Read review |
Cubed3 | Nikola Suprak | 9 / 10 | 07-26-2018 | The only people that shouldn't play The Banner Saga 3 are those that haven't played the first two instalments yet. However, if you have been waiting until now, this is absolutely the time to get on-board The Banner Saga bandwagon. This is one of the best strategy games in years, with engrossing combat and a fantastic story. The difficulty is almost perfect, making the battles rewarding without being trivial and players may find themselves actively seeking out more fights. It is entertaining from top to bottom, and the only real negative is that the adventure has finally come to an end. This is the conclusion the saga has been waiting for, though, so if the saga had to finish, it could have hoped for no better way to do it. | Read review |
Destructoid | Caitlin Cooke | 8.5 / 10 | 07-31-2018 | Alas, main characters sometimes receiving a single line of dialogue to describe their end, if anything at all, is what makes The Banner Saga so unique. Life is fleeting, as it is for the hundreds of clansmen I lost throughout the past four years, as it is for my characters who wandered off and never returned, and as it is for the ultimate conclusion to The Banner Saga. | Read review |
Digiato | Seyed Sina Mostafavi | 88 / 100 | 08-10-2018 | An epic finale to The Banner Saga trilogy. With tense battles, artistic storytelling and beautiful songs. Your decisions effect the ending and make you play the trilogy more than once. | Read review |
Digitally Downloaded | Ginny W. | 4.5 / 5 stars | 08-01-2018 | At the end of the day, Banner Saga 3 is the appropriate swan song of the trilogy; hopeful, mournful, and utterly breathtaking. | Read review |
DualShockers | Ryan Meitzler | 9 / 10 | 07-26-2018 | Like closing the final chapter on a thousand-page-long fantasy novel, The Banner Saga 3 delivers a dark and thrilling conclusion to remember. Though at times it might prove to be a bit more of a challenge than some might expect, The Banner Saga 3 is the culmination of Stoic Studio's four-year-long journey through a tense and memorable world that's entirely worth seeing through to the end. While I'm sad to see The Banner Saga series come to a close with its third and final act, The Banner Saga 3 finishes it all in a brutal and brilliant fashion. The story may be over, but The Banner Saga‘s world is one that I will surely yearn to come back to. | Read review |
Easy Allies | Daniel Bloodworth | 4 / 5 stars | 08-07-2018 | The final leg of Stoic's heart-wrenching journey has players making tough decisions in a desperate attempt to outlast the end of the world. | Read review |
Eurogamer | Malindy Hetfeld | Recommended | 07-26-2018 | Stately, vivid and tragic, this brooding epic finally reaches its climax. | Read review |
Expansive | Ray Willmott | 9 / 10 | 07-25-2018 | TBS 3 is a truly special game and the perfect send off for this epic saga. The evolution of Stoic as a studio is apparent with a work that is truly timeless. No doubt about it, The Banner Saga is full of many great gaming moments, many of which are in this concluding episode, and they will stay with me for years to come. | Read review |
FNintendo | André Reis | 7 / 10 | 11-08-2019 | The Banner Saga 3 brings with it an exquisite plot and a series of different outcomes that depend on the player's choices but while the game is very strong on the story component, its combat system is rather simple and there's few significant improvements that make this a groundbreaking game. Overall, it's an experience that will be enjoyed at a much greater level by longtime fans of this saga than by beginners. | Read review |
Game Informer | Javy Gwaltney | 8 / 10 | 08-01-2018 | This concluding chapter is uneven due to breakneck pacing and minimal characterization, but it's ultimately a satisfying finale that remains true to the melancholy soul of the series | Read review |
GameCrate | Angelo D'Argenio | 8 / 10 | 07-30-2018 | The Banner Saga 3 is a perfect finale to The Banner Saga. While it's not the most well designed game on the market, it's one of the most well written games I have ever played. | Read review |
Gamefa | Hossein Ghazali | 8.3 / 10 | 08-05-2018 | Since 2014, The Banner Saga series has seen good improvements and now, we must say that The Banner Saga 3 is the best installment in this epic tactical RPG series. Gameplay elements and battles are so satisfying and addictive and challenge you very well. The Banner Saga 3 takes you to an amazing journey with beautiful Art style, nice music and deep gameplay and I must admit that despite some issues in the game, The Banner Saga 3 is still one of the best choices for fans of deep-tactical RPGs and worth your time very well. So don’t wait and join the epic battles of Vikings. | Read review |
GameMAG | Azzy | 8 / 10 | 08-06-2018 | The Banner Saga 3 doesn't offer real innovations or unexpected elements, but, nevertheless, it's a great concluding of an interesting and thoughtful tactical RPG series that will please all fans of dramatic fantasy stories. | Read review |
GamePro | Elena Schulz | 88 / 100 | 07-26-2018 | The Banner Saga 3 is a worthy conclusion of the series, which convinces above all by its dense atmosphere and tough decisions. | Read review |
Gamers Heroes | Johnny Hurricane | 8 / 10 | 07-30-2018 | The Banner Saga 3 puts a cap on a great trilogy with a fantastic ending. If you played the first two games, do yourself a favor and complete the saga. | Read review |
Gamersky | 北方凛 | 8.5 / 10 | 08-01-2018 | In a despairing atmosphere, the story of The Banner Saga finally meets its end. Your choice matters, and every move of the battle matters, so choose carefully. It has some issues in some ways, but overall, The Banner Saga has become an important part of the SLG family, with its very unique art style and strategy design. | Read review |
GameSkinny | Emily (Pokeflute) | 8 / 10 | 07-26-2018 | The Banner Saga 3 is a journey worth taking -- and a worthy concluding chapter to a winding, fantastic tale. | Read review |
GameSpot | Edmond Tran | 8 / 10 | 07-26-2018 | Smart adjustments to mechanics make the act of playing the Banner Saga series finale feel as suspenseful as the story it tells. | Read review |
Gaming Nexus | Randy Kalista | 8.8 / 10 | 07-26-2018 | If you've played the first two, The Banner Saga 3 is impossible to ignore. In this final chapter, everything is broken and mended and broken again. I was never sure if there would be--or even could be--any kind of happily ever after to this massive mythology Stoic Studios has built. | Read review |
GamingBolt | Ravi Sinha | 9 / 10 | 07-26-2018 | The Banner Saga 3 demands your attention, its story grabbing hold of your emotions and never letting go. As a climax to one of the better modern trilogies in gaming, The Banner Saga 3 is simply magnificent. | Read review |
GamingTrend | Nathan Anstadt | 80 / 100 | 08-05-2018 | Despite some gripes about the translation from PC to console, The Banner Saga 3 does an admirable job wrapping up a grim tale of separation and loss. And it does that with challenging and fun tactical battles as well as fascinating player choice throughout. | Read review |
God is a Geek | Chris White | 9 / 10 | 07-26-2018 | A fitting end to the trilogy, and fans of the series so far will not be disappointed with the new gameplay features or the excellent storytelling. | Read review |
IGN | DM Shmeyer | 8.3 / 10 | 07-26-2018 | The Banner Saga 3 offers the darkest entry yet in this beautifully animated tactical RPG trilogy. Choices matter and come fast and furious, making this journey a thrilling roller coaster from the opening moments to the ending credits. Combat can be a bit of a chore once you find your footing, and the story ends all too quickly, but The Banner Saga 3 is a rich and powerful experience and a worthy end to a breakout trilogy. | Read review |
IGN Spain | Carlos G. Gurpegui | 8 / 10 | 07-26-2018 | The Banner Saga 3 closes the epic journey created by Stoic. However, its condition of being the ending makes the game a constant rush and, in the end, the decisions and climaxes lose their purpose. | Read review |
Impulsegamer | Jamie Kirk | 4 / 5 stars | 08-16-2018 | The Banner Saga 3 is a fitting and triumphant conclusion to the franchise. It's not without its small problems, but the overall experience is polished and deeply rewarding. It may be completely inaccessible to newer players, but people who have stuck with it will not be disappointed. | Read review |
Jump Dash Roll | Elizabeth Lovatt | 9 / 10 | 07-26-2018 | More of the same from Stoic: small tweaks improve the variety of skirmishes, and the outstanding visuals, sound and narrative make this a saga long to be remembered. | Read review |
Kotaku | Luke Plunkett | Recommended | 08-02-2018 | The story I ended up with, with its highs and lows, felt like my story, forged by the calls I made in the stress of battle, and I own them. For better or worse. | Read review |
Metro GameCentral | GameCentral | 7 / 10 | 07-27-2018 | Not a good standalone game but a fine ending to the trilogy, that manages to make three games feel like one. | Read review |
New Game Network | Josh Hinke | 83 / 100 | 07-26-2018 | The Banner Saga 3 is a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy, offering a solid end to the narrative with inventive ways to keep the gameplay fresh. This last chapter is a great game on its own, but it also completes a series that has been exceptionally consistent in quality, which is worth appreciating. | Read review |
Nintendo Life | Liam Doolan | 8 / 10 | 08-25-2018 | From the beginning, this series has very much been about the journey to the destination in both a literal and figurative sense, and now we've arrived at the end, it's clear that this was the strongest point all along. The development of characters and the gradual progression of the story naturally have less emphasis this time around, as this is the end of the saga, but what you do get is multiple endings with fitting outcomes. Now all that's left is for you to decide whether or not this game and series are for you, much like the many choices present within the games themselves. | Read review |
Nintendo Times | Craig Majaski | 8 / 10 | 07-31-2018 | Banner Saga 3 is the epic conclusion to the series and one that fans are sure to greatly enjoy. There’s not much new here, but that’s fine given that the first two games were so fun to play. Since Fire Emblem was delayed to 2019, give this trilogy a shot! | Read review |
NintendoWorldReport | Neal Ronaghan | 8.5 / 10 | 07-26-2018 | This vibrant, gorgeously animated tale feels as alive as the top live-action fantasy worlds, even more so with the knockout Austin Wintory soundtrack. The battle system reaches a rewarding crescendo and the story hits a lot of excellent beats as it hurtles towards its thrilling conclusion. From the opening moments of the first game to the finale of the third, this is a trilogy worth playing and this is a great close to an excellent narrative-driven turn-based tactics game. | Read review |
NoobFeed | Sarwar Ron | 85 / 100 | 07-29-2018 | The Banner Saga 3 is a fitting conclusion to a story that needed to be told. | Read review |
PC Gamer | Chris Schilling | 90 / 100 | 07-26-2018 | A daring, exciting and bleakly powerful payoff that handsomely rewards your investment in its characters. | Read review |
Player2.net.au | Matt Hewson | Recommended | 07-26-2018 | The Banner Saga 3 is a dark, enthralling end to one of the best stories in gaming, a story that needs to be experienced by all. | Read review |
PlayStation Universe | John-Paul Jones | 9 / 10 | 07-26-2018 | 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. | Read review |
PowerUp! | Leo Stevenson | 10 / 10 | 07-25-2018 | The Banner Saga 3 is the culmination of years of work and provides an absolutely perfect ending to one of the most brilliant gaming trilogies of all time. | Read review |
PS4Blog.net | ThaRaven403 | 9 / 10 | 08-13-2018 | The final installment of The Banner Saga trilogy is just as thrilling, fun, and story-driven as the previous two episodes. | Read review |
PSX Brasil | Bruno Henrique Vinhadel | 90 / 100 | 07-27-2018 | The Banner Saga 3 is the perfect conclusion to a fantastic trilogy. A strong narrative and charismatic characters reinforce the outcome of an excellent saga, which should be enjoyed by lovers of good stories and turn based strategic combat. | Read review |
Push Square | John Cal McCormick | 9 / 10 | 07-27-2018 | The Banner Saga 3 is 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 | Read review |
RPGamer | Sam Wachter | 4 / 5 stars | 08-20-2018 | There aren't many games out there that do such a good job of emotionally tugging at your heartstrings the way this particular series does, and Banner Saga 3 is no exception. | Read review |
Screen Rant | Rob Gordon | 4.5 / 5 stars | 07-30-2018 | It also packs the series' trademark emotional punch for good measure. | Read review |
SECTOR.sk | Jakub Pokorný | 8 / 10 | 07-26-2018 | After six years in the making Viking saga peaks and offers another story-driven RPG with solid gameplay. | Read review |
Slant Magazine | Jed Pressgrove | 2 / 5 stars | 08-03-2018 | The game comes down to two rival parties blandly lumbering toward each other on largely identical stages. | Read review |
Softpedia | Cosmin Vasile | 9 / 10 | 08-05-2018 | Finishing The Banner Saga 3 gave me a sense of accomplishment. Even though I did not manage to save everyone, the world will live to see another day. Wounds heal, conflicts eventually wear off, life will ultimately prevail, and that's one of the many things The Banner Saga 3 is teaching us. | Read review |
SpazioGames | Daniele Spelta | 8 / 10 | 07-27-2018 | The Banner Saga 3 is a true epic ending. | Read review |
TechRaptor | Andrew Otton | 9.5 / 10 | 07-26-2018 | The Banner Saga 3 is a fantastic end to one of gaming's best trilogies. The enthralling writing and engaging combat combine into one of the most satisfying gaming experiences to be had. | Read review |
The Games Machine | Erica Mura | 8.7 / 10 | 09-06-2018 | As the final chapter of the trilogy, The Banner Saga 3 should not be bought with the hope of finding some kind of gameplay innovations, but to savor the last part of an epic journey in search of safe place and truth. | Read review |
TheSixthAxis | Miguel Moran | 8 / 10 | 07-26-2018 | The Banner Saga 3 closes the book on an incredible saga of turn-based action and dark, haunting storytelling. It's hard to make player choices and branching narratives successfully payoff over the course of three games, but Stoic Studios have done just that. It's a shame that they never tried to revamp or update the sluggish combat speed along the way, but that's a small price to pay for a once in a lifetime narrative experience like this. | Read review |
TrueAchievements | Mark Delaney | 4.5 / 5 stars | 08-07-2018 | It's true that from an innovation standpoint, The Banner Saga 3 doesn't do a lot different than its predecessors, but that also means the same great tactical RPG system that has been in place since the beginning makes one final push for the endgame. | Read review |
Twinfinite | Hayes Madsen | 4.5 / 5 stars | 07-27-2018 | It may not do everything fans wanted, but this is one unforgettable conclusion to an already memorable journey. | Read review |
USgamer | Hirun Cryer | 3 / 5 stars | 07-27-2018 | “Nobody trusts anybody now, and we're all very tired” perfectly sums up this final entry in The Banner Saga series. Our fleeting time in this world has never been a happy one, and everyone is all the more weary at the end of it. We've had plenty of memorable moments with various characters along the way, but it's in this entry that the entire journey falls into a bloody maelstrom, as the game steams full throttle towards its brutal conclusion with unfortunately barely a thought to spare for its characters. | Read review |
Wccftech | Nathan Birch | 8 / 10 | 07-26-2018 | The Banner Saga 3 wraps up its six-years-in-the-making epic in poignant, gripping style. The game's tactical battles still have some issues, but their rough edges have been sanded down to the point they no longer detract from the game's stellar writing. The Banner Saga 3 deserves to be held high as a prime example of both video game storytelling and a crowdfunded project done right. | Read review |
Game Info
Banner Saga 3 is the final dramatic chapter in the mature, story-driven Viking RPG series which has won over 20 awards and has been nominated for 4 BAFTA awards. As the world continues to crumble around you, who can you trust, how will you protect your allies and what choices will you make as the Darkness draws near?
RELEASE DATES:
DEVELOPER(S):
- Stoic
PUBLISHER(S):
- Versus Evil
GENRES:
- RPG, Strategy
SERIES/FRANCHISE:
- The Banner Saga
GAME MODES:
- Single player
GAME ENGINE:
- -
DLC:
- The Banner Saga 3: Eternal Arena (Dec 12, 2018)
BUNDLED IN:
- Followers: 0 The Banner Saga Trilogy (Sep 21, 2018)
DIRECTOR(S):
- -
PRODUCER(S):
- -
DESIGNER(S):
- -
PROGRAMMER(S):
- -
ARTIST(S):
- -
WRITER(S):
- -
COMPOSER(S):
- -
GAME MODES:
- Single player
GAME ENGINE:
- n/a
DLC:
- The Banner Saga 3: Eternal Arena (Dec 12, 2018)
BUNDLED IN:
- Followers: 0 The Banner Saga Trilogy (Sep 21, 2018)
DIRECTOR(S):
- n/a
PRODUCER(S):
- n/a
DESIGNER(S):
- n/a
PROGRAMMER(S):
- n/a
ARTIST(S):
- n/a
WRITER(S):
- n/a
COMPOSER(S):
- n/a
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