Banners & Bastions Delivers Strategy in Mixed Reality
Banners & Bastions, the latest title from developer Not Suspicious, has entered early access on Meta Quest headsets, offering players a strategic tower defence experience built around mixed reality interaction. Designed with a compact but engaging gameplay loop, it follows on from the studio’s earlier projects, Airspace Defender and Tablecraft, while establishing its own identity through deeper tactical mechanics.
The influence of past titles is immediately noticeable. Airspace Defender, with its domed world and gesture-based controls, provides clear inspiration, though Banners & Bastions expands on the formula significantly. Rather than resembling a reimagined arcade classic, it focuses on troop management, defensive placement, and tactical decision-making. Players guide soldiers, position fortifications, and unleash spells against invading forces, all within a visually contained dome-like battlefield.
Combat unfolds across turn-based waves. Before each round, troops and structures such as archers, swordsmen, spear carriers, towers, and barricades can be deployed. Once the action begins, miniature armies clash in real time, while players can intervene by moving units or dropping fireballs directly into enemy formations. The ability to physically lean in, rotate the battlefield, and view battles from multiple angles adds an extra dimension of immersion.
Like previous Not Suspicious releases, the entire experience relies on hand tracking rather than controllers. The system combines sweeping motions with precise pinches to select, move, and drop units around the map. While functional, it occasionally reveals the current limitations of gesture-only input, especially under poor lighting conditions. Still, the interaction design demonstrates clear promise, and the potential integration of eye-tracked gestures on future headsets could enhance it further.
Progression is central to the early access build. Successful campaigns reward players with stars, which unlock new troops, abilities, and upgrades through a branching progression tree. Global leaderboards provide a sense of competition, while varied enemy types and multiple card systems already show the depth being developed. Campaign pacing is steady, presenting challenges without overwhelming new players, though later levels require sharper troop combinations and smarter use of map features.
Despite the strong foundations, there are areas where the experience feels limited. The battlefield can be rotated and shifted but not resized, leaving some players wishing for a zoom function or the ability to expand the dome for a more detailed view. A first-person perspective mode, similar to that found in other hybrid strategy shooters such as Guardians Frontline, could add another layer of immersion. The idea of stepping into the dome and fighting alongside one’s troops, while not essential to gameplay, presents an enticing possibility for future updates.
Even with these constraints, the game succeeds in delivering a streamlined and satisfying mixed reality strategy experience. Visuals are clean, mechanics remain intuitive, and the overall package highlights Not Suspicious’ growing expertise in creating headset-native experiences that avoid overwhelming environments yet remain deeply engaging. The studio’s philosophy seems rooted in proving that effective mixed reality design does not need to dominate an entire room to feel immersive.
While strategy games may not appeal to every player, Banners & Bastions demonstrates surprising accessibility. Its gradual learning curve allows casual players to enjoy steady progress, while its layered mechanics keep seasoned strategists engaged. The addictive loop of optimising placements, replaying campaigns for better outcomes, and experimenting with new combinations can easily stretch play sessions longer than expected. For some, it may even drain headset batteries quicker than planned, making external power solutions a practical accessory.
Priced at $9.99, Banners & Bastions is available now in early access on Meta Quest 2, 3, 3S, and Pro. With its current trajectory, it represents another step forward for mixed reality strategy gaming, blending intuitive interaction with tactical gameplay in a format suited to short yet satisfying sessions.
