The Banner Saga: Live on Steam

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irishScott

irishScott

Lifer
Oct 10, 2006
21,562
3
0
http://store.steampowered.com/app/237990/

One of the more successful kickstarter games, turn-based tactical combat with traditional cell animation; backed by a truly choice-based RPG storyline. Speaking as a backer, I couldn't have asked for more out of them given what I've seen in the updates/beta over the last year. Can't wait!

The PAX Demo (it's in several parts, as they had people vote on major decisions at the end of each):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDFfFHYUbO0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-E0rhoN1Eog
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uH1oDZ5wedc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lbn_sXDe_7Y
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZlnawT9FWs


UPDATE: It's live!
 
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irishScott

irishScott

Lifer
Oct 10, 2006
21,562
3
0
you2 said:
Is this the full game or just chapter 1 ?
Click to expand...

Both. It's just chapter 1, chapters 2 and 3 haven't been developed yet; but they've promised since day 1 that Chapter 1 will be a complete story in its own right. Think original Star Wars Trilogy.

From the kickstarter FAQ:

The Banner Saga as it exists in this Kickstarter will be a complete story in its own right. In terms of a larger story arc, it represents the first part of a three-part trilogy that has already been planned out. We don't yet have a timeline for the full trilogy, as our first priority is to complete Chapter 1 of The Banner Saga and see where that takes us!

Our goal is that when all chapters are complete, each game will both stand on their own, AND form a fantastic and cohesive whole, like any great series of books, movies, or games.

Chapter 1 of the game will not be a short 2-hour fling. Depending on how much we raise during this campaign the length of the game will vary.

The decisions you make and characters you build in Chapter 1 of the game will carry over into the other chapters of the game.

Why not just make one complete game from the start? Developing all three parts of the game could take some time and as an indie developer we can't afford to fund a 2-year development cycle. We decided to make it into a trilogy to keep people interested in the game and get it to players sooner.

We've just recently decided to give the full 3-part game away to anyone who donates (or has already donated) $50 or more to the campaign. It's our thanks for making this campaign such an amazing success!
Click to expand...
 
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dmoney1980

Platinum Member
Jan 17, 2008
2,473
39
91
does this have a single player campaign now? I remember downloading this a while back and it only had online "lobbies" for MP matches...

edit - never mind, read the details on the steam page that states it has a SP campaign. Looks interesting!
 
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irishScott

irishScott

Lifer
Oct 10, 2006
21,562
3
0
dmoney1980 said:
does this have a single player campaign now? I remember downloading this a while back and it only had online "lobbies" for MP matches...

edit - never mind, read the details on the steam page that states it has a SP campaign. Looks interesting!
Click to expand...

Oh yeah, single-player is arguably the core of the game. They released the "tactics" module earlier this year to polish the combat mechanics and multiplayer.
 
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darkswordsman17

Lifer
Mar 11, 2004
23,444
5,852
146
I thought it looked really interesting and tried the...beta or whatever version that was free on Steam and literally never got to play the game. The online thing refused to work for me.

I really liked the visual style and it had good pedigree and definitely would be interested in this style of game, but something about it kinda turned me off to it (it doesn't really scratch the same itch as FFTactics did for me which I had hopes it would) so I'll wait and see how it fares and maybe if there's a demo since I don't know how they plan on doing everything (the chapters or however it is they plan on releasing the game).

I really wish we could get a modern FFTactics (Banner Saga looks interesting but the "stages" seemed a little small from what I've seen and didn't seem to really offer quite the same; maybe not small, but more flat, I liked the dimensionality of the environments more). It would be an excellent basis for a Game of Thrones game as well. That or Ogre Battle/Tactics Ogre, where they could mix the two gameplay styles. That would be another franchise I'd love to see get a remake/modern game of.
 
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dmoney1980

Platinum Member
Jan 17, 2008
2,473
39
91
I just picked this up, totally forgot about it until I opened steam today. Downloading it now and look forward to the SP campaign.
 
Geosurface

Geosurface

Diamond Member
Mar 22, 2012
5,773
4
0
I played a little of it (just like 20 minutes or so) earlier tonight. I dig it, though I'm not sure it will hold my interest.

I really like the setting and the music and perhaps most of all, I like the Bakshi style late 70's/early 80's animation look.
 
VashHT

VashHT

Diamond Member
Feb 1, 2007
3,390
1,480
136
Hmm I paid a while back through their site, do I get the single player game or was that only early access to the mp beta?
 
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you2

Diamond Member
Apr 2, 2002
7,129
2,181
136
If you paid 10$ or more you get chapter 1 (game just released). If you paid $50 or more you get all three chapters.
 
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shadow9d9

Diamond Member
Jul 6, 2004
8,132
2
0
They paid $10 for drm free. It is on steam for $25. I will get it for $5 in a humble bundle or gog sale in the future.

Reports are that the game gets very repetitive by midway since all mechanics are introduced at the beginning.

Look for a lot of people trying to justify their kickstarter support at first.
 
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dmoney1980

Platinum Member
Jan 17, 2008
2,473
39
91
A few hours into this game so far - like it so far. Really nice art / style to the game, great music. Only gripes are that the battles are a little repetitive because you face the same enemies. Because of this you know what to expect and it takes the strategy out of it. Only thing that changes is QTY of enemies (at least so far).

Traveling while managing resources and rations is a nice touch though.

With all that said, I still highly recommend this game but I'd border on paying more than $20 for it.
 
irishScott

irishScott

Lifer
Oct 10, 2006
21,562
3
0
shadow9d9 said:
They paid $10 for drm free. It is on steam for $25. I will get it for $5 in a humble bundle or gog sale in the future.

Reports are that the game gets very repetitive by midway since all mechanics are introduced at the beginning.

Look for a lot of people trying to justify their kickstarter support at first.
Click to expand...

As opposed to backers that are legitimately satisfied?

I'm about 5 hours in, and while yes there are no new combat mechanics the story is hardly repetitive; and the combat mechanics that are there are complex enough that you do have to modify your overall strategy for different encounters. The varied starting positions alone (which sometimes force you to split up your forces or intentionally surround you) account for much of this, as well as variations in the quantity and strength of enemy units. Not to mention how your order your own units and which heroes you pick off your roster, each with very different abilities. If there's an "I win" formula that you can spam and win every encounter on the highest difficuly level, I've yet to discover it.

In addition each battle has a specific meaning in the context of the story and I find the world extremely immersive. There are no random generic "you are attacked by 5 dredge! Defend the caravan!" missions that would get quite boring. In fact I've never fought the same battle twice. A good example is about 3 hours in you get a report that your forces have spotted a dozen dredge on a ridge, and that the force is so small it's almost beneath notice. You then have the option to ignore them, dispatch some of your soldiers to deal with them, or deal with them yourself. Each choice has a variety of benefits and downsides that affect your party in different ways.

Bottom line: Static mechanics alone do not make a game "repetitive" in my book. By that logic Chess is the most boring game in the world, its mechanics haven't changed in centuries!

The animation is unique and beautiful, the music is excellent, the plot/RPG elements are excellent. If you prioritize immersing yourself in a great, detailed world and story, you'll probably enjoy it.

The experience is quite satisfying, and well worth my $10 backing, and though it's pushing the limit I'd say worth $25 as well. It's a damn good game.
 
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Red Storm

Red Storm

Lifer
Oct 2, 2005
14,233
234
106
I know I'm really late to the party, but this game is fantastic! I love the method of story telling, the animation, art, music, all of it. A great game.
 
Y

you2

Diamond Member
Apr 2, 2002
7,129
2,181
136
It is indeed fantastic; but have they said when part 2 is going to be available ?
 
X

xantub

Senior member
Feb 12, 2014
717
1
46
I didn't like it that much (I did back them in kickstarter). I didn't particularly like the tactical battles, specifically the turn-cycling part, where the best strategy was to not kill enemies but leave them hurt just so their turns were wasted... too meta-gamey and counter-intuitive. I also didn't like the way it ended, with my army going to the city with very low morale (because of decisions and luck), and because I hadn't focused training, the last battle was pretty much impossible to win, so I had to watch the ending in youtube.

Not looking forward to part 2&3.
 
Patre

Patre

Senior member
May 29, 2013
398
0
76
I'm looking forward to playing this.......I got it as a gift and it's already been installed for about a month...... Like Red Storm said.....I also wanted this for its animation/art/story telling/game play etc...

Now to find time to play it. :whiste:
 
Malladine

Malladine

Diamond Member
Mar 31, 2003
4,618
0
71
It's decent - combat is UGH dry but the graphical style and plot are pretty damn cool
 
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