Much has already been written about the unique art style of
The Banner Saga, so I will simply say, “It is breathtaking.” I did not even
notice that the character portraits were not animated (besides their shifting
eyes) until I was halfway through the game. I realized that the hand-drawn art
served to activate my imagination and fill in the action. In my mind’s eye, I
saw their struggles on the road and their battles in the field. Despite the
lack of voice-overs, I heard them speak. Despite the lack of animation, I saw
them march and fight, suffer and starve, smile and rejoice. The storytelling in
The Banner Saga is so strong that these characters were truly drawn to life.
