The Banner Saga 2 picks up where the first game left off, and it does not waste a second of its 2016 runtime getting there. Fugitive, the protagonist from the previous game, is back, and he is still trying to get his family out of the war between the Varl and the Dredge. The game opens with him escaping a Dredge camp, and the first chapter sets the tone for everything that follows: a desperate escape, a difficult choice, and a slow crawl toward safety that will not let up until the credits roll.
The game runs on PS4, Android, PC and iOS, and it plays the same on every platform. That consistency is part of why the game holds together as well as it does. Players move a small group of characters across a map, stopping at towns, camps and forts to gather supplies, recruit allies and make decisions that change the story. The pacing is deliberate, and the game expects players to sit with each choice before moving forward.
Trailer, via IGDBcom.
Story and Setting
The plot follows Fugitive’s journey through a world under siege. The Varl, a clan of giant warriors, fight against the Dredge, a horde of monstrous creatures led by a powerful queen. The story splits into three separate narrative threads, each following a different character, and the game weaves those threads together across chapters. This structure gives players a wider view of the conflict than the first game offered, and it lets the developers build a larger canvas without losing focus on individual stakes.
The writing carries a lot of weight. Characters speak in plain, often poetic language, and the dialogue scenes are some of the best in the genre. The game does not shy away from tragedy, and several key moments land hard because the player has spent hours building connections to these people. The ending, in particular, earns its emotional pull after a long build-up of tension.
Combat and Choices
Combat in The Banner Saga 2 is a turn-based system where players move units across a grid, attacking enemies and defending against incoming blows. The system is simple to learn but deep enough to reward planning. Each character has a unique skill set, and positioning matters in every fight. A badly placed unit can mean the difference between a quick victory and a slow retreat.
Choices matter even more than they did in the first game. Decisions made in town can close off entire paths later on, and the game rarely tells players what the consequences of their actions will be. That uncertainty gives the story a sense of weight that many games in the genre lack. A player who chooses to help one character over another may find that choice coming back to haunt them in the final act.
The game also introduces a new mechanic called the Fate system. Players collect Fate points during battles, and spending them can turn the tide of a fight. This adds a layer of risk and reward that keeps combat fresh throughout the campaign. Losing a fight is rare, but it is possible, and the game handles failure gracefully, offering a quick return to the last save point without punishing the player too harshly.
Visual Style and Sound
The game’s visual style is hand-drawn and painterly, with a color palette that shifts depending on the region being explored. Towns are warm and inviting, while Dredge territory is cold and oppressive. The animation is fluid, and the character portraits carry a lot of emotion in close-up scenes. The art direction is consistent across all platforms, which is a notable achievement given the technical differences between PS4, Android, PC and iOS.
The music, composed by Michael Kramer, is a highlight. The score mixes traditional instruments with electronic elements, creating a sound that feels both ancient and modern. The main theme, “Fate,” becomes a familiar presence throughout the game, playing over key scenes and adding to the emotional weight of the story. The audio design is strong, with voice acting that matches the quality of the writing.
“Fate.”
That single word captures the game’s central tension: the constant push and pull between destiny and choice.
Performance Across Platforms
The game runs well on PS4, Android, PC and iOS, though performance can vary slightly depending on the hardware. On PC, the game supports higher resolutions and frame rates, which makes the hand-drawn art look sharper. On mobile, the touch controls are well designed, though the slower pace of the game means it is easy to pick up and play in short sessions. The PS4 version offers a middle ground between the two, with solid performance and a comfortable control scheme.
The game’s difficulty is moderate. Enemies scale with the player’s progress, and the game does not throw overwhelming numbers at the player without warning. This keeps the challenge manageable while still requiring careful strategy in battle.
Length and Replay Value
The full campaign takes about twenty hours to complete, though that number can stretch depending on how much time players spend exploring side content. The game offers multiple endings based on player choices, which gives players a reason to replay sections they skipped over. The branching structure means a second playthrough reveals paths and conversations that were hidden the first time.
The game also includes a series of short companion stories that expand on the world beyond the main plot. These are optional but worthwhile for players who want to know more about the characters and the setting.
Final Word
The Banner Saga 2 is a strong sequel that builds on the foundation of the first game while expanding its scope and depth. The story is compelling, the combat is engaging, and the presentation is polished across all platforms. It is not perfect — the pacing can drag in the middle chapters, and some side quests feel like filler — but the core experience remains intact.
The game’s greatest strength is its ability to make players care about its characters. Fugitive, his family and the people they meet along the way become real presences, and their fates hang in the balance with every decision. That emotional investment is what separates The Banner Saga 2 from other games in the genre.
The game earned a critical score of 8.4 out of 10, and that number feels accurate. It is a game that rewards patience and attention, and it delivers a satisfying conclusion to its central conflict. For players who enjoyed the first game, this is essential follow-up material. For newcomers, it stands on its own as a solid example of the genre.
The Banner Saga 2 is available now on PS4, Android, PC and iOS. It is worth playing for anyone interested in a well-crafted story-driven adventure.
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