I finally got to spend some time with BS2, and I've been incredibly pleased with it thus far. (I'm also trying to drag it out as long as possible, but we'll see how that goes!) Random babbling:
It's wonderful to see the old cast returning, along with some engaging new additions. The new character designs are just gorgeous, and packed with detail and personality. (Folka is great!) With both the characters and the plot, it feels like the world is naturally unfolding for the player, and none of it feels forced. I'm pleasantly surprised that characters that could have died in BS1 still have had relevance in the plot, especially turning some moments in the player's favour. I'm curious to see what happens in playthroughs when they're dead. It's great to see new dynamics with old characters who haven't really interacted on screen, especially Iver and Hakon. Juno continues to be intriguing, and I'm extremely curious where the subplot with her and Bolverk will go. I went with Rook for my first playthrough, as that was my fuck-up choice back in BS1. That being said, I can see how Alette would be the more compelling option, and I'm really looking forward to doing a playthrough with her.
Of course, I've already fucked up a bunch of decisions. Ah, that unique Banner Saga pain of trying to choose between what will fuck up your poor caravan the least. I'm convinced those adventuring Oregon Trail had it easier. At least there isn't dysentery and dredge, I suppose.
Austin Wintory's score is just as impeccable as always, and has more of a rousing momentum than the first game. BS1's score often felt like it was in mourning, whereas BS2 is a grim march. The travel music of BS2 has a stronger marching beat than the first game, but that doesn't stop it from being incredibly ominous at times. The battle music itself manages to raise the tension even higher than the first game. There is also some beautiful music sung in combat, which adds some great variety.
BS2 manages to top its predecessor in the cinematic department, both in cutscenes and in gameplay. There's always a lot of interesting things to see dragging the FOV around the battlefield - a heart wrenching addition was
It's the little attention to detail and situational storytelling that makes the world more engaging. One of my favourite things to do in BS1 was to play spot Ubin in the background of battlefields, as he was always up to something interesting.
There's been some great integration of your choices into gameplay that directly effects the battlefield, which wasn't something the first game did quite as much. I'm also really enjoying the non-breakable/breakable hazards on the battlefield, and it creates great possibilities for slowing down enemies. It offers up some fun opportunities for spear warriors in particular. Of course, while you're trying to get through breakable hazards and the archers/spear warriors are whittling away at your armour, it certainly slows you down and raises the stakes.
There are new characters and classes, and there is a lot of variety to them. Two classes thus far specialise in buffs for the rest of your team, and one of the characters in particular is extremely creative, and is such a joy to use. (Stoic went to the trouble of recording unique VO for him, he's so great.) I'm still not very good at using them yet, but with a huge cast of characters and many upgrading opportunities, there's suddenly an incredible amount of freedom that wasn't there in BS1.
I'm overwhelmed by the second specialities, and kinda paranoid about upgrading people in case my ol' reliables are taken out to pasture. (It already happened once, I reloaded a game, I am a wuss.) They are fantastic additions, though. For example, Iver is able to get the Tempest ability or Forge Ahead. The new specific sub skills have a lot of diversity, too, ie. specific armour/armour break/willpower buffing abilities.
The different win conditions in battle are refreshing, too. There are some new enemies that have horrifying possibilities. I wasn't expecting the training tent to have a bit more value - challenges with specific objective markers were fun, and result in a solid amount of Renown.
My only complaints thus far are that the tutorials are still mandatory, and that the time between save points change between sporadic and constant. I went a good twenty minutes between one plot point to another, and the game hadn't made another save point in the meantime - I stupidly assumed that it had.
BS2 has absolutely exceeded my expectations thus far, and I can't wait to get back into it. Stoic's done an incredible job, and BS2 is such a gorgeous, atmospheric and tension-filled game. It's not an easy feat to hold tension across one game, let alone two, but Stoic keeps the engagement up.
ETA: I had no idea there were going to be
vinyl copies of the BS1 and BS2 soundtracks. The covers are
incredible!
