The Banner Saga: Factions Review

The Banner Saga: Factions from Stoic Studios, is in reality the free-to-play multiplayer part of the Banner Saga game. It’s a strategy title which focuses on team battles where planning ahead and correct usage of your units’ abilities will hand you victory.

The game revolves around building the right team for every situation. Your heroes can be bought or hired using Renown, the game’s currency. Each hero has two stats, Armor and Strength. The latter counts also as your hero’s Health. Damage is the result of the character’s given strength minus the opponent’s armor; note that any taken damage will gradually render a character useless since it will also lower their strength! What is more, some heroes have extra abilities that once employed, can most of the times alter the outcome of a battle. The above add to the complexity of the title and it also promote strategic thinking; knowing your team’s weaknesses and strong points while in the same time being ready to exploit your opponents’ mistakes are the keys to victory.

The Banner Saga: Factions features beautiful 2D graphics with that certain Nordic feeling; snowy landscapes, great Halls with roaring fires in the middle and of course, the distinct artwork with your tall, bearded, axe-yielding Vikings. There isn’t a lot of variety in character models, animation or battlegrounds but that’s not what you are here for, right? Winning matches will earn you Renowns and your heroes experience. And this is where the game has a problem; in order to level up your heroes you must spend Renowns and the rate of earning them is way too slow. Since the only other way of getting currency besides combat is through the game’s store, this can transform the title to a Pay-to-Win one.

The Banner Saga: Factions is a game that, leaving the premium currency matter aside, will surely entertain strategy fans. It’s complex combat which relies mostly on your wits rather than your strength and the distinct artwork will leave you utterly satisfied.