head to head

Fire Emblem Fates cover artvsThe Banner Saga cover art

Fire Emblem FatesvsThe Banner Saga

Fire Emblem Fates leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); The Banner Saga leans Optimization (Systems & Chaos).

EXECUTION2 /10READS1 /10VARIANCE5 /10OPTIMIZATION8 /10
Fire Emblem FatesThe Banner Saga

Axis by axis

Execution2 vs 2

Even - both lean on execution about the same.

Reads1 vs 1

Even - both lean on reads about the same.

Variance5 vs 5

Even - both lean on variance about the same.

Optimization8 vs 7

Fire Emblem Fates leans harder on optimization: Offspring seals, asset/flaw selection, and supports are deeply planned

Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.

full breakdown

Fire Emblem Fates

full breakdown

The Banner Saga