Caught between a chasm and an oncoming army, your caravan must make a desperate gamble. Your mage forms a floating bridge—but once you’re halfway across, it starts to crumble. To avoid certain doom, you need to lighten the load by dumping precious food and supplies…or a few unfortunate stragglers. What do you do?

Banner Saga 2 isn’t always that tense, but this challenging sequence embodies so much of what makes it shine. It’s a hardcore game for hardcore gamers, thrusting you into a world where humans and Viking giants are at war with stonelike beings—and a strange darkness consumes the land.

While leading survivors on a long trek, you’ll juggle all sorts of decisions, including when to camp, which side wins disputes, and whether to take in newcomers. You’ll also have quiet moments to banter or reminisce about fallen friends. Even if you’re new to the series, you’ll grow attached to comrades like Iver, a wise, loyal giant who’s also a fierce warrior.

Between traveling and talking, you’ll wage turn-based battles fought on a chesslike grid. Banner Saga 2 is a tactical role-playing game: You’re constantly reassessing where to place specific heroes, and who (and how) to attack. Certain situations might call for a unique strategy, like focusing on the enemy leader because you know his forces will flee when he’s defeated.

Feeling overwhelmed? Lower the difficulty so your characters can’t be hurt. Do whatever’s necessary to experience the whole story—it’s one you won’t forget.