head to head

Sword Coast Legends cover artvsThe Banner Saga cover art

Sword Coast LegendsvsThe Banner Saga

Sword Coast Legends leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); The Banner Saga leans Optimization (Systems & Chaos).

EXECUTION2 /10READS1 /10VARIANCE4 /10OPTIMIZATION7 /10
Sword Coast LegendsThe 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.

Variance4 vs 5

The Banner Saga leans harder on variance: Armor/strength interaction and random narrative outcomes create variance

Optimization7 vs 7

Even - both lean on optimization about the same.

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

Sword Coast Legends

full breakdown

The Banner Saga