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The Banner Saga 2 similar games & best alternatives

The Banner Saga 2

PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, iOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Android, Nintendo Switch • 2016

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Quick resume

The award-winning adventure continues in Banner Saga 2! This epic, story-based, role-playing game continues its emotional journey across a breaking world. Bold leadership decisions, wise use of resources, and skillful battle tactics are vital to ensure your viking clans make it through alive.

Global score

90/100

Genres

Indie, Role-playing (RPG), Strategy, Adventure, Simulator, Tactical

Similar games

    Pros

    • Engaging story with meaningful choices
    • Beautiful hand-drawn art and music
    • Challenging and strategic turn-based combat
    • Character progression and customization
    • Survival mode extends gameplay

    Cons

    • Story can feel rushed or incomplete
    • Some localization and translation issues
    • Limited multiplayer and social features
    • Combat randomness introduced by chance-based talents
    • Some players find pacing uneven

    Motivations

    • Autonomy

      Game with the same Autonomy vibe

      4

      "Players make meaningful choices that affect story outcomes and character relationships, allowing personal direction of the narrative."

      Capsule for Angel Wings Angel Wings

      "Players make meaningful choices affecting story and gameplay; multiple paths and character development options allow personal direction."

    • Competence

      Game with the same Competence vibe

      4

      "Combat is challenging and tactical, requiring skillful positioning and strategy; character progression and skill allocation provide meaningful feedback on effectiveness."

      Capsule for Heroes of Steel RPG Heroes of Steel RPG

      "Combat is strategic and challenging with skill-based decisions; character progression and tactical depth increase player effectiveness."

    • Competition

      Game with the same Competition vibe

      1

      "Includes online multiplayer and leaderboards for survival challenges, but mostly focuses on cooperative and single-player experiences rather than direct competition."

      Capsule for SAMURAI WARRIORS 4-II SAMURAI WARRIORS 4-II

      "Includes a survival mode with online stats, but main gameplay focuses on personal story and tactical challenges rather than direct competition."

    • Continuation

      Game with the same Continuation vibe

      5

      "Players invest long hours (60-100+), often replaying the game and eagerly awaiting sequels; strong attachment to story and characters."

      Capsule for The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II

      "Strong desire to continue the saga; players invest many hours and look forward to sequels; survival mode extends playtime."

    • Cooperation

      Game with the same Cooperation vibe

      -3

      "Primarily a single-player experience with limited interaction between characters controlled by the player; no multiplayer or teamwork."

      Capsule for Yesterday Origins Yesterday Origins

      "Primarily a single-player experience focusing on individual control of caravan and characters; limited multiplayer elements."

    • Creativity

      Game with the same Creativity vibe

      3

      "Players can customize characters, build diverse skill sets, and modify equipment; base building and vehicle customization add creative elements."

      Capsule for Wasteland 3 Wasteland 3

      "Players customize character skills and develop unique builds; some creative freedom in tactical approaches and caravan management."

    • Domination

      Game with the same Domination vibe

      -4

      "Interactions emphasize shared story and balanced combat rather than exerting control over others."

      Capsule for The Banner Saga 3 The Banner Saga 3

      "Interactions emphasize shared narrative and balanced combat rather than exerting superiority or control over others."

    • Escapism

      Game with the same Escapism vibe

      4

      "Immersive fantasy setting and narrative provide escape from real life; players enjoy story and atmosphere."

      Capsule for Shadowveil: Legend of The Five Rings Shadowveil: Legend of The Five Rings

      "Immersive fantasy world and story provide strong escape from reality; players engage deeply in narrative and atmosphere."

    • Expectation

      Game with the same Expectation vibe

      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment; no evidence of obligation or external pressure to play."

      Capsule for Nitro Express Nitro Express

      "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment; no evidence of obligation or external pressure to play."

    • Experimenting

      Game with the same Experimenting vibe

      3

      "Players explore different characters, builds, and tactics; game encourages trying new combos and strategies."

      Capsule for Secret Ponchos Secret Ponchos

      "Players explore different character builds, tactical options, and story choices; encourages trying new strategies."

    • Exploration

      Game with the same Exploration vibe

      3

      "Players explore new environments and uncover story elements and secrets in a narrative-driven setting."

      Capsule for Detention Detention

      "Journey through varied environments and storylines; players discover new areas and narrative developments."

    • Expression

      Game with the same Expression vibe

      2

      "Customization mainly through character builds and upgrades; no strong emphasis on cosmetic or avatar personalization."

      Capsule for Darksiders Genesis Darksiders Genesis

      "Customization mainly through character skill choices and progression; limited cosmetic or avatar personalization."

    • Fantasy

      Game with the same Fantasy vibe

      5

      "Strongly rooted in Norse mythology and fantasy narrative with gods, monsters, and epic mythic storytelling."

      Capsule for God of War Ragnarök God of War Ragnarök

      "Strongly rooted in Norse-inspired fantasy world with mythical creatures, gods, and epic storytelling."

    • Fellowship

      Game with the same Fellowship vibe

      -3

      "Focus on individual play and story; limited social or community interaction."

      Capsule for Megadimension Neptunia VII Megadimension Neptunia VII

      "Focus on individual player experience and story; limited social or community interaction beyond survival mode stats."

    • Growth

      Game with the same Growth vibe

      4

      "Character progression, skill development, and learning combat tactics provide opportunities for personal growth."

      Capsule for Wasteland 3 Wasteland 3

      "Character development and learning tactical combat skills provide clear opportunities for personal growth."

    • Health

      Game with the same Health vibe

      -5

      "Sedentary gameplay typical of turn-based strategy games with no physical activity elements."

      Capsule for Vestaria Saga I: War of the Scions Vestaria Saga I: War of the Scions

      "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity elements; typical of turn-based strategy games."

    • Idle

      Game with the same Idle vibe

      -4

      "Requires focused attention and strategic thinking; not designed for casual or background play."

      Capsule for Erannorth Chronicles Erannorth Chronicles

      "Requires focused attention and strategic thinking; not designed for casual or background play."

    • Intimacy

      Game with the same Intimacy vibe

      -3

      "Emotional connection to characters through story, but limited social interaction or relationship building."

      Capsule for Gods Will Be Watching Gods Will Be Watching

      "Emotional connection to characters through story, but limited social interaction or relationship building with others."

    • Leadership

      Game with the same Leadership vibe

      4

      "Players lead and manage a small group of survivors, making critical decisions affecting their fate."

      Capsule for This War of Mine This War of Mine

      "Players lead caravans and make critical decisions affecting group survival and morale; strong leadership theme."

    • Progression

      Game with the same Progression vibe

      5

      "Character leveling, skill point allocation, equipment upgrades, and unlocking new abilities drive progression."

      Capsule for UnEpic UnEpic

      "Extensive character leveling, skill unlocking, and resource management drive progression throughout the game."

    • Relaxation

      Game with the same Relaxation vibe

      2

      "Atmospheric and immersive but with tense combat and survival elements, balancing relaxation with challenge."

      Capsule for Metro Exodus Metro Exodus

      "Atmospheric and immersive but with challenging combat and tense decision-making; some moments of flow and relaxation."

    • Sensation

      Game with the same Sensation vibe

      3

      "Enjoyable art style, music, and sound design provide sensory pleasure and emotional engagement."

      Capsule for Children of Silentown Children of Silentown

      "Enjoyable art style, music, and sound design provide sensory pleasure and emotional engagement."

    • Status

      Game with the same Status vibe

      -3

      "Focus is on personal story and achievements rather than social recognition or popularity."

      Capsule for Judgment Judgment

      "Focus is on personal story and achievements; limited social recognition or popularity mechanics."

    • Story

      Game with the same Story vibe

      5

      "Narrative-driven game with deep lore, character development, and impactful player choices."

      Capsule for The Banner Saga 3 The Banner Saga 3

      "Narrative-driven with rich lore, character development, and impactful player choices; story is central to experience."

    • Strategy

      Game with the same Strategy vibe

      5

      "Tactical turn-based combat requires planning, positioning, and strategic use of abilities."

      Capsule for Pirate101 Pirate101

      "Turn-based tactical combat requires planning, problem solving, and strategic thinking; core gameplay element."

    • Thrill

      Game with the same Thrill vibe

      3

      "Tense and suspenseful moments arise from difficult choices and challenging battles."

      Capsule for The Banner Saga The Banner Saga

      "Tense battles and difficult decisions create suspense and emotional highs; some relief after overcoming challenges."

    • Value

      Game with the same Value vibe

      3

      "Players perceive good value in story, gameplay, and replayability for the price."

      Capsule for Mind Scanners Mind Scanners

      "Players perceive good value through rich story, gameplay depth, and replayability; some complaints about length and price."

    • Violence

      Game with the same Violence vibe

      3

      "Combat involves tactical battles with attacks and skills; violence is stylized and fantasy-based."

      Capsule for Regalia: Of Men and Monarchs Regalia: Of Men and Monarchs

      "Combat involves tactical battles with enemies; violence is stylized and part of fantasy setting."

    • Survival

      Game with the same Survival vibe

      4

      "Strong survival theme with players avoiding death, managing resources, and overcoming threats."

      Capsule for In Silence In Silence

      "Strong survival theme with resource management, caravan morale, and overcoming threats central to gameplay."

    Analysis

    A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Leadership, Survival, Violence, Strategy. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Competition, Story, Fantasy.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Where to buy

    Come talk about it on Discord!

    Last update: 30/04/2026