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The tactical RPG genre has a new contender with Banner of the Maid, developed by the independent Chinese studio, Azure Flame Studio. Surprisingly, this game doesn’t focus on Chinese history, instead transporting players to a tumultuous period in European history: the French Revolution. Does this game effectively capture the complexities and grandeur of this era? Let’s dive into this Banner of the Maid review to find out.

Banner Of The Maid

A Different France

Forget the romanticized image of France filled with elegance, poetry, and fashionable aristocrats. Banner of the Maid presents a different perspective: a France embroiled in a fierce and chaotic revolution, a military and political powerhouse forged in blood and tears. This isn’t a dry history lesson, however. The game weaves historical figures like Napoleon Bonaparte, Pasquale Paoli, and Louis Desaix into a compelling narrative with a touch of alternate history.

The story follows Pauline Bonaparte, Napoleon’s younger sister, as she visits her brother on the battlefield in Toulon. Circumstances draw her into the tumultuous conflict reshaping France, caught between warring royal factions and external threats, particularly from the British. To combat this internal and external strife, a specialized army is formed under Pauline’s command, a military academy graduate and the game’s protagonist.

Adding a layer of complexity, Pauline also serves as a royal maid at the Malmaison Salon, juggling military leadership with domestic duties for the royal family. This intricate narrative sets the stage for the game’s tactical gameplay.

Tactical Gameplay

Fans of tactical RPGs will recognize familiar elements borrowed from genre staples like Disgaea, Final Fantasy Tactics, Stella Glow, and especially Fire Emblem. Banner of the Maid embraces the classic grid-based combat system, offering a diverse cast of characters with unique skills, weapons, and upgrade paths. The game distinguishes itself with its charming pixel art style, reminiscent of early tactical RPGs.

Banner Of The Maid

Similar to Fire Emblem, the game forgoes manual stat growth, allowing players to focus on strategic decision-making. Banner of the Maid introduces a unique achievement system that unlocks new skills. These achievements range from simple tasks like completing stages to complex challenges requiring specific actions and outcomes, adding an extra layer of engagement.

Character Classes and Progression

The game features a robust class system, with characters falling into four main categories: Fusilier, Hussard, Tirailleur, and Cavalry. Additional specialized classes like Artillery, Military Band, and Artist also exist. Each class follows a rock-paper-scissors dynamic, with Fusiliers countering Cavalry, Cavalry countering Hussards, Hussards countering Tirailleurs, and Tirailleurs countering Fusiliers. Bonus stats between characters become crucial in later chapters, adding further depth to team composition.

The fast-paced gameplay ensures matches remain engaging, rarely exceeding 30 minutes even on the highest difficulty. While side quests primarily serve as grinding opportunities and testing grounds for new tactics, they prevent players from falling behind in level progression, proving a valuable addition.

Shortcomings: Excess and Imbalance

Despite innovative features like the achievement system and diverse character classes, Banner of the Maid suffers from unnecessary mechanics. The “Exchange” feature, for example, proves largely useless as each character can only wield one weapon type. The “Campfire” mechanic, intended for healing, becomes redundant due to the presence of healing units and the game’s simplistic AI.

Banner Of The Maid

The AI’s predictable behavior further diminishes the tactical depth. Enemies rarely initiate attacks, waiting passively for the player to enter their attack range. This predictability extends to boss battles, where exploiting class advantages can trivialize encounters. Character balance also feels uneven, with some bosses feeling underwhelming while others are significantly overpowered. The overreliance on the rock-paper-scissors class system can lead to either effortless victories or swift defeats, depending on matchups.

Banner Of The Maid

Conclusion

Banner of the Maid offers a unique blend of historical setting and tactical RPG gameplay. While innovative features like the achievement system and character classes add depth, the game is held back by unnecessary mechanics and AI shortcomings. Despite its flaws, Banner of the Maid provides an enjoyable experience for fans of the genre, particularly those drawn to its distinct pixel art style and alternate history narrative.

Game Information:

• Developer: Azure Flame Studio
• Publisher: CE-Asia
• Genre: Tactical RPG
• Release Date: August 12, 2020
• Platform: Switch