The Banner Saga 2
Sequel in a tactical role-playing trilogy by Stoic.
Jon Sørensen (1868-1936) · Public domain
The Banner Saga 2 is a tactical role-playing game from developer Stoic and publisher Versus Evil. It continues the story begun in the first game and serves as the middle chapter of a planned trilogy. A crowdfunding campaign for the third installment, The Banner Saga 3, ended on March 7, 2017, with 8,086 backers pledging $416,986, more than double its $200,000 goal. That concluding game arrived in July 2018.
In terms of gameplay, the sequel expands on the turn-based combat of its predecessor. New unit types, talents, enemies, interactive objects, and victory conditions have been added. The Horseborn, a centaur-like race, also appears. Several characters from the original game return as playable figures, and decisions made in the first title directly affect events in the second. In a 2015 interview with Rock Paper Shotgun, writer Drew McGee explained that the team heard criticism about the first game’s combat being slow and lacking variety. To address this, they focused on creating new enemy types with unique abilities and buffs, while also introducing more ways to win and more combat variations. The range of choices—both in battle and across the narrative—has been broadened as well.
Development was handled by Stoic, a three-person indie studio. The game was announced at The Game Awards on December 5, 2014. Originally slated for a 2015 release on Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, it was delayed into 2016. The Windows and OS X versions launched on April 19, 2016, with PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions following in July 2016.
Critical reception was generally favorable, according to Metacritic. GameSpot gave it an 8.0 out of 10, noting that it leaves players “holding your breath, completely invested in the world, its inhabitants, and their struggles, anxiously eager for more.” IGN awarded it 8.9 out of 10, stating it is “as beautiful and tactical as the first, but with greater variety in combat and story.” Hardcore Gamer scored it 4.5 out of 5, writing that it “not only meets every expectation… but exceeds them in a number of tangible areas.”
Quick Facts
- Title
- The Banner Saga 2
- Developer
- Stoic
- Publisher
- Versus Evil
- Writer
- Drew McGee
- Composer
- Austin Wintory
- Series
- The Banner Saga
- Platforms
- Android · iOS · Microsoft Windows · OS X · PlayStation 4 · Xbox One · Nintendo Switch
- Released
- Windows, OS X · April 19, 2016 · Xbox One · July 1, 2016 · PlayStation 4 · July 5, 2016 · iOS · September 28, 2016 · Android · September 29, 2016 · Nintendo Switch · June 7, 2018
- Genre
- Tactical role-playing
- Modes
- Single-player
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Banner Saga 2 was announced at The Game Awards on December 5, 2014. Initially scheduled for release in 2015 on Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, it was delayed into 2016. The Windows and OS X versions were released on April 19, 2016, followed by PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions in July 2016. The game is developed by the three-man indie team Stoic.
In a 2015 interview with Rock Paper Shotgun, Stoic writer Drew McGee noted that combat in the first game was often criticized as slow and lacking diversity. The development team prioritized creating new enemies and enemy types, giving them new abilities and buffs, while adding more win scenarios and variations in combat. The range and scope of choices available to players—both in combat and in the overall narrative—was also expanded. Several heroes from the original return as playable characters, and many choices made in the first game directly impact the second.
A crowdfunding campaign for the third game in the series concluded on March 7, 2017, with 8,086 backers raising $416,986 of its $200,000 goal. The sequel concluding the trilogy, The Banner Saga 3, was released in July 2018.
Reader's Guide
The Banner Saga 2 received 'generally favorable' reviews according to Metacritic. GameSpot awarded it 8.0 out of 10, stating it leaves the player 'completely invested in the world, its inhabitants, and their struggles, anxiously eager for more.' IGN awarded it 8.9 out of 10, noting it is 'as beautiful and tactical as the first, but with greater variety in combat and story.' Hardcore Gamer gave it 4.5 out of 5, saying it 'meets every expectation' and 'exceeds them in a number of tangible areas.' The game's significance lies in its role as the middle chapter of a trilogy, expanding on the original's mechanics and narrative while setting up the conclusion. Its development by a three-person team highlights the viability of small studios producing critically acclaimed titles. The successful crowdfunding for the third game demonstrates strong fan support for the series.
Did You Know?
- The game introduces The Horseborn, a centaur-like race.
- A crowdfunding campaign for The Banner Saga 3 concluded on March 7, 2017, raising $416,986 from 8,086 backers.
Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Banner Saga 2?
It is the middle installment of a three-part tactical role-playing series created by Stoic and published by Versus Evil. The game picks up where the first entry left off, following the remaining members of the clan as they continue their long trek across a dying world.
How does The Banner Saga 2's combat differ from the first game?
The turn-based tactical system is expanded with additional unit types, new talent options, fresh enemy designs, and interactive environmental objects. Victory conditions also vary between encounters, giving battles more variety than the original.
Who can the player control in The Banner Saga 2?
The player selects from a roster of clan survivors—such as Kara, Nadis, and Jora—each offering distinct combat talents and narrative viewpoints. Choosing different leaders shifts both the strategic options in battle and the story beats experienced along the journey.
When and where was The Banner Saga 2 released?
The game launched on Microsoft Windows and OS X in April 2016, followed by PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions in July 2016. It was developed by Stoic and published by Versus Evil.
How does The Banner Saga 2 connect to the rest of the trilogy?
As the second of three planned chapters, it bridges the opening conflict of the first game with the final confrontation in The Banner Saga 3. The concluding entry, which was crowdfunded in early 2017, ultimately shipped in July 2018 to close out the saga.
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