The Banner Saga

A grid-based tactical combat system that doesn't rely on RNG and percentages.
The strategies here are way more satisfying to master than similar games where every turn is just a glorified gamble.

I come back to this series around late fall/ early winter every year and play through all 3 games. One of my favourite stories

After Heroes of Might and Magic, nothing was as good in the genre of turn-based games as this game (except Divinity: Original Sin)
I really liked the characters, the plot and the gameplay. Interesting system of survival and interesting imba-person (if you find who is it). A very worthy and noteworthy representative of turn-based games. Do not pass by!

The Banner Saga is a completely original blend of visual novel, tactics game, and RPG.
The interplay between the narrative choices you make and the tactical battles is very interesting. Just as you feel you get into a rhythm, you lose one of your party members, either permanently or temporarily, and need to adjust accordingly. The game manages to break away from any min-maxing, as you never know how long characters will be around, and when they leave, they take everything you invested in them.
The story itself is well told, and the beautiful graphics and music really paint a vivid picture. It definitely managed to hit me emotionally, which is pretty rare for a video game.
I’m looking forward to playing the second game!

The story of the game is clearly inspired by game of thrones and witcher. As we progress through the story it gets darker and bleaker
There are two types of gameplay loop here. One is some kind of an adventure game, where you need to choose an action to various scenarios as you travel. You need to make a choice that you think will help your army/caravan more.
The thing is most of the choices that you need to make here are not really consequential in the overall direction of the story, but the consequential ones also exist. The thing is its hard to differentiate the major ones or not and that's the beauty of the game.
The second gameplay loop is grid based type of strategy game. This game breaks the mold of the turn based convention and remove the most RNG component (critical strikes is the only one with RNG component). Still the game is not easy, you can easily die if you make one wrong move, your skills here are limited in use, so use it wisely, positioning and proper party is name of the game. You cannot also grind and level up your party members. This game only features limited number of battles for you to engage and gain experiences.
Both gameplay loops give you one of the most unique and fun experiences in a turn based tactical game. I haven't felt the dread in every battle since XCOM 2.
The game is short and can be finished in one or two sitting. Replayability is high since there are many characters and paths to take in the game.
Highly recommended. Definitely one of the most underrated turn based strategy game out there.

One of my favorite game.
But you still need
to play properly with the 3 sagas

When people talk about games with choices that mattered or isometric strategic combat that rocks, this is the game that I think of and compare others too. One of the best sagas and this is the best among the three.

May those who come after remember us