Banner Saga 3 is the final chapter in this seemingly apocalyptic tale. The world is literally falling apart and it is up to you to keep it together as this emotionally charged story unfolds. Of course returning to back up the engaging plot line is the wonderfully tight tactical rpg gameplay the series is known for. You're skills in combat and your ability to handle many rowdy characters will be put to the test over and over again before all is said and done. This game isn't for the faint of heart but if you don't mind a little challenge this is an incredibly original series with a lot to offer.
In the first two games the world has been deteriorating at an alarming rate and in Banner Saga 3 conditions are quite bleak. The caravan finds itself behind the walls of Arberrang, an over-packed city on the edge of anarchy. If things on the inside weren't bad enough you find an army of dredge at the walls with the darkness closing in just behind them. Anyone or anything caught in the darkness becomes warped; a fate worth than death. This is a real threat for Iver and the ravens as they journey to escort the menders Juno and Eyvind back to the source of the darkness. Juno's light is able to protect the party from the darkness but there are others threats. Bolverk, the former leader of the ravens, appears to have gone mad and is determined to kill the menders for their role in this disaster.
Of course Banner Saga 3 features the wonderfully clever tactical combat of the first couple games. However, the developers have mixed thing up a little by now including wave-based battles. In many of the fights after you defeat the enemy force you'll have a choice as to whether to continue fighting. If you continuing you many swap out and reposition any number of your units. If you dare to continue fighting you risk suffering greater losses but have a chance to win yourself a unique relic to equipment. Another nice addition is the perks for leveling characters above level 10. Each character can get a heroic title that gives them a unique bonus that gets better and better as you invest your renown.
If you thought the events in the last two games were though its about to get a lot worse. Your decisions carry the weight of tremendous consequences as far as the survival of your caravan and favorite characters are concerned. As sullen as things are you can't help but still feel an incredible emotional attachment to these characters after all you've been through together. All the though decisions and battle weren't nearly as frustrating to deal with as some game-breaking bugs. I played on PS4 this time around and often the game wouldn't let me choose my character talents or select heroic titles. Half the time I could find a way to get it fixed but it was incredibly irritating and sadly detracted from what was otherwise a great game.
(I'm normally a console gamer that said this series plays and feels way better on PC!!)
Wow was this an incredibly intense conclusion to this apocalyptic tale. I was on the edge of my seat after every big event wondering if everything I had been fighting to protect was just going to collapse in on itself. You'll have to make a lot of though decisions and fight some intense battles to see this journey through to its ends. However no matter how bleak or challenging Banner Saga 3 got I always felt totally engaged. This an amazing series with a wonderfully original story-line and a superbly tight combat system. If you like tactical role-playing games or better yet just want an to experience this wildly unique narrative you should definitely give this series a try.