The first half of the main character’s narrative arc is almost a breaking of the fourth wall as the game attempts to see if there is any heart-felt material to mine in wake of the first entry’s ending. To some players, Alette’s death (or Rook’s, again, depending on choices) might not be as impacting, and the game allows your character to show both ends of the spectrum. The dialogue options have less to do with directing the narrative and more to do with reflecting on how the game is making you feel. The game’s writing is impressive in how it guides your emotions. With her death haunting Rook at the beginning of the game, the choices suddenly become more grey and I was less interested in saving my clan than I was in exacting revenge on those who took Alette from me. There’s a paternal instinct that made me want to be a better person for this digital daughter. Having Alette at Rook’s side in the first game gave me a clearer sense of right and wrong. I thought missing Alette, one of my favorite characters from the first game, would sour the experience but instead I found it as a driving force for Rook’s character. While I don’t regret any of the choices I made in The Banner Saga, I was a little bummed to be playing with Rook. Players begin the game as either Rook or Alette, depending upon the choices from the first game. Things are bad and they just keep getting worse. Instead of a winner-take-all battle that offers resolution, this sequel continues to break its already-fragmented world. There’s also no satisfying conclusion to The Banner Saga 2. While the original game from Stoic Studio was a complete story, culminating in a climax filled with pathos, The Banner Saga 2 relies on the emotions, connections, and - most importantly - the story built up during the first outing. This is what makes The Banner Saga 2 different than your run-of-the-mill video game sequel.