This may be nostalgia talking but I loved this game SO much as a kid. No clue how many hours I spent but I'm gonna have to spend some more.
I'll start with what this game is and what it isn't, because it's wonderful but might not be for everybody. Your characters travel along a mostly linear route (though every now and then you can make a decision such as which way to go in a fork). Though there's a map, Banner Saga is not at all open world or remotely exploration-based. The combat is fun, but not the centerpiece of the game. The game is about becoming emotionally invested in the characters and the way in which your decisions impact them. Pros: I can't remember the last time I was this emotionally invested in a game. Seriously. Fun combat. Decisions that I actually cared about, based on genuinely difficult dilemmas. Lots of moral grey areas. Characters that made me want to keep them alive and maintain our relationships. Permanent consequences/permadeath (normally I don't like this, but it worked here). Artwork Music Cons: Length of game. The credits completely took me by surprise - sure, the preceding scene was dramatic as hell, but it was presented more like the transition to another section/chapter of the game. That said, it says something good that I can't wait to continue the story when the sequel comes out. Voice acting was solid when it existed, but most of the dialogue was silent. I imagine they didn't have the money to do that much voice acting in the first game, but I hope there's more in the second. That's about it! Not an easy game (emotionally or intellectually), but well worth the effort you'll likely put into it.
Hi all, This is the reply I posted to Hungyeung's review in the forums. I'm adding it here as a review so that people who read his/her review might see mine and still get this fantastic game. =) hungyeung: - You have a grand total of 1 (one) ship that you will get to fly in the game. Ever. Answer: The game's named after the ship. The fact that it's made with special technology and is entirely different from every other ship in the universe is a key part of the game. So did you really expect you could sell it off at some trade station and use the CR to buy an x-wing? Dunce. hungyeung: - The only improvements you make to your ship will be the weapon loadout and a bunch of mostly-forgettable skills. Answer: Simply not true. The choices you make when you upgrade it affect maneuverability, speed, ability to easily haul cargo (for trading, like you want (although I admit it's not as profitable as shooting)), etc. hungyeung: Each star system is an exact carbon copy duplicate of ALL the others: there's a sun in the middle, there's a space station to dock with, there's a useless planet in the background, and oh look, there's an asteroid belt. All the same. In EACH AND EVERY single goddamned system. 300 of them? Puh-lease. If I could recycle the graphics like this and only change the system name, I could think up 3,000 of them. Answer: They may be made up of the same elements, but these elements are arranged differently. Also, some systems may contain 5 research stations whereas others have none. Some systems may contain anomalies with pirate gangs hidden behind them. Some systems may contain artifacts. And the planets are all beautiful, so it's worth looking at them in various systems. They don't recycle all the graphics. hungyeung: - Factions. Instead of the realistic factions a la Freelancer, with their dynamic inter-relationships (and not just vs the player), DarkStar One presents you with the tired, cliched old "good guys vs bad guys", "cops and robbers" style of police, pirates, and neutral merchants. Answer: Various companies will actually hire you for sabotage or spying missions against other companies, and some of these can keep you from being able to safely enter certain star systems in the future (depending on who controls them). hungyeung: Needless to say, DarkStar One has all the depth of a puddle of rainwater. Answer: Needless to say your review has as much accuracy as a poorly-made slingshot. hungyeung: This is a game as designed by a bunch of shooting game enthusiasts, more likely. If you're into mindless fighting then this game may interest you. For all of five minutes. Answer: Yes, it probably was designed by shooting game enthusiasts. And it's a great shooting game. It's hardly mindless, with players having to make tactical decisions every second they're in battle. And based on your review, I'm guessing you stopped playing after 5 minutes. hungyeung: Let's not even talk about replayability (to get to the point: there's none). Answer: I'm likely to replay it and upgrade my ship in completely different ways. hungyeung: I'm not going to praise the graphics either. Why should I? Abusing bloom and particle effects does NOT equals good graphics. Imagine if Tetris used 3D blocks, fullscreen antialiasing, and flashing lights to herald new scores. Same goes for DarkStar One. Answer: I don't know what graphical settings you used, but the game is stunning. hungyeung: You can polish a turd, but it's still a turd. Answer: You can fling poo, but it doesn't make your target poo. It just makes you a monkey. -Gammix
