The Banner Saga

The Banner Saga is a viking tactical RPG whose hand-drawn animation draws on the aesthetic of classic Disney films, giving the game a distinctly different atmosphere compared to most mobile strategy games. A caravan of humans and horned giants called varl marches through a land ravaged by the end of the world, while between tactical battles the player decides on supplies, morale, and the fates of dozens of characters – and these decisions have lasting consequences for who in the caravan survives.

The battles themselves play out turn-based on a hexagonal map, where health and strike power are combined into a single stat, forcing the player to choose between offense and defense for each unit individually. On a touchscreen, commands are given by tapping, and thanks to the slower pace without the pressure of real time, the game controls just as well on mobile as on a computer. The music and the story, told through text passages between battles, give the game an almost literary atmosphere.

This is a paid title with no ads, containing the complete story of the first game in the saga trilogy, which was later followed by two standalone sequels. The Banner Saga is celebrated above all for its artistic style, melancholic atmosphere, and music accompanying the caravan's journey, while the awareness that the road leads to an inevitable end gives even seemingly small decisions between battles unusual weight.

Why play it: Recommended for players looking for a tactical RPG with a striking visual style and a story about difficult decisions, rather than fast action or carefree fun.