Sometimes, when I’m reading a book series I particularly enjoy, I get a feeling in the pit of my stomach as the pages on the right side of the opened spine begin to shrink. There’s something warm and welcoming about the continuation of even the darkest tale, and when we become invested in characters, a happy ending can still feel like their death once there’s nothing left to read. Fantasy series, especially the ones that hit double digits in their novel count, are brutal; one moment there’s seven books and thousands of pages left to go, and suddenly there’s a chapter, a paragraph, a word.
The Banner Saga 3 is the last chapter in a series of indie darling games by Stoic Studio, and as it neared its conclusion, I couldn’t help but notice that familiar sensation creeping up my abdomen. It has been a long, hard journey for either Rook or Alette, and the game doesn’t get any less grim or challenging in its final moments. Despite it all, however, The Banner Saga 3 remains a crucial piece of gaming lore, a beautifully animated journey through harsh winter and brutal decisions that masterfully brings a well-deserved end to its world-altering struggle.
Bad Sun
While the first Banner Saga was able to play around with its environment a little, The Banner Saga 3 is forced by its narrative to do more with less. The darkness has encroached on nearly all of civilization, and the ocean is putrid and vile. The characters, with their backs to th...