This game is the most impressive, intriguing, challenging, entertaining, eye an ear pleasing that I ever played in last few years. It's like I’ve read an exciting book, watched a beautiful cartoon with awesome soundtrack and obviously played interesting challenging game. I rarely get impression this high from a game lastly, but this one is the massive exception. Actually, The Banner Saga: Factions initially got me in this awesome universe and gameplay style. I was not really into turn-based games or games with turn-based strategic combat style in particular until I met Factions. And I was blown away by what an awesome, challenging and entertaining gameplay guys from Stoic have created! After that The Banner Saga became the TOP 1 in my wish list. And eventually it surpassed all my expectations.

This game offers a mix of turn-based combats, text-based quests, interactive dialogs and management of caravan under your leadership. Battles are very challenging and entertaining. Using different types of units — Varl (unique race of horned giants) and humans of different classes — and combat formation you can build your own unique strategy for the upcoming battle. You can take up to six fighters and place them in a specific turn order. Since combats are turn-based, this part of preparation can be crucial. As well as combat formation, because battlefield split in cells and every unit in battle have its own range of movement and attack. Most units can attack foes standing only at nearby cells. So you probably would like to place your archers and other weak units behind your Varl and other strong fighters.

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Ability to upgrade warriors' characteristics and unique special abilities for willpower (local currency, earned in battles) or increase with artifacts adds more variety to gameplay and tactics in battles. Upgrade points are limited and can be split between 5 characteristics and since you won’t be able to max all out you better use them wisely thinking of how you want to use this particular unit on the battlefield.

Fight mechanic is mostly about unit's armor and strength. Strength is also a health and it makes the WHOLE DIFFERENCE! Once you lowered the enemy’s strength below your armor he gets less than 100% chance to hit you for strength! But he still can damage your armor. So your damage to the enemy is your strength minus enemy’s armor. Using willpower to add additional damage points or unit’s special ability adds some spice to the battle. And more often than not it’s crucial to use them. Ability to hit without a chance to miss or hit multiple adjacent enemies at once or command to specific ally to move on next turn etc. can help a lot, especially if you play on hard, like I did (except first 2 battles). There are A LOT more nuances and things to learn about this very thoughtful combat system. And the more you upgrade your warriors the more tactic opportunities you get. But two biggest advices are: 1) lower enemy’s armor and 2) don’t get hit first. If you like challenge and turn-based combats you’ll love this one.

In "text mode" you talking with other persons, more often than not choosing what to say next, which will affect the following events. The most awesome thing in this part is that all of the choses are so not black and white – you can’t tell right away which of the options is right and which is wrong. It’s all about making hard decisions and facing its consequences later. Some consequences will appear almost a half game after, striking you hard and unexpectedly. But mostly through text (descriptions of events and conversations) you get a deep story of this world and characters you play, meet or interact with.

It’s really hard to tell you how awesome the story is and avoid spoilers. Throughout the game you play as leaders of caravans of Varl and human who faced a new threat, bigger than ever before, and trying to save their lives. Most epic thing in this part is the originality of each character you play or get to know with through the whole journey. They all are very thoughtfully developed, each has its own temper and you know it already after a few lines of dialogs.

The story progresses without any breaks and the lack of twists. Don’t expect that all your lead characters are untouchable. You’ll constantly face some events and situations where you need to make a choice. And almost every time it’ll be hard to determine the right way especially when there is no such thing. Sometimes you’ll need to make a choice that would be less painful than others, or you'll lose your men. And the game manages to involve you so deeply in its world and events that you sincerely regret about every number of lost men in your caravan! About lifeless numbers! And when this happen to the character whom you already know (but for like an hour or few at most) you really sympathize for him. But there are a lot of fun moments too. It has it all: hard moments and moments of peace and fun in between, the love, betrayal, conflicts inside groups and families, and some crazy things.

The story is deep, entertaining and beautiful. I really think about it like a book inside the game. You definitely should experience it yourself!

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Visual part of the game is stunning! I won’t talk much about it, I’ll just say that sometimes I just couldn’t move my hand from PrintScreen key. I’ve captured 450+ screenshots! Almost each frame can be taken for wallpapers. The art is really beautiful and along with awesome stylish soundtrack it makes a great atmosphere in the game. The music is very original, stand out and fits the game naturally.

10 out of 10 and totally "must have" for everyone who loves challenging tactical turn-based gameplay, the deep, mature and interesting story alongside with stunning art and music. Do yourself a favor — buy this masterpiece!

P.S. Stoic, thank you guys!