Mixed Reality (MR) is transforming how strategy fans play games. One of the most promising 2025 releases is Banners & Bastions VR, a tower defense-inspired MR title from Not Suspicious, creators of Airspace Defender and Tablecraft.

Released in early access on August 28, 2025, the game costs $9.99 on the Meta Horizon Store and supports Quest 2, Quest 3, Quest 3S, and Quest Pro. Early reviews from UploadVR call it a satisfying MR strategy experience, and community players have praised its accessibility and replay value.

For Meta Quest 3 users, clarity and comfort are just as important as gameplay. Many new players invest in adjustable meta quest 3 prescription lenses to reduce eye strain and enhance visual detail during long MR strategy sessions.

This review explores gameplay, features, pros and cons, player tips, and why accessories like Quest 3 adjustable VR lenses inserts are becoming popular for improving MR strategy immersion.

Latest Launch Updates

• Release Date: August 28, 2025 (Early Access)
• Price: $9.99 USD
• Platforms: Quest 2, Quest 3, Quest 3S, Quest Pro
• Controls: 100% hand tracking, no controllers
• Community Feedback: 4.4 stars on Meta Horizon Store, praised for intuitive design and tactical depth

Gameplay Overview: Tabletop Strategy in MR

Banners & Bastions places a living battlefield on your tabletop. Your goal: defend your bastion from incoming waves by deploying troops, constructing defenses, and casting spells with your hands.

Core Mechanics

• Troops: Deploy archers, swordsmen, and spearmen.
• Structures: Build towers, walls, and barriers.
• Spells: Cast fireballs by grabbing and dropping them.
• Banner Control: Move your flag to command troops.
• Turn-Based Waves: Plan your strategy before each enemy wave.

It feels like Bad North meets a physical tabletop diorama, with MR giving it tactile realism.

Immersive Hand-Tracked Controls

Forget controllers everything runs on hand gestures:

• Pinch & Drag: Position troops and structures.
• Gestures: Cast spells or adjust the banner.
• Tabletop Manipulation: Rotate and lean in for different perspectives.

Performance is smooth in well-lit environments. While hand tracking occasionally falters, updates are expected to refine it.

Progression & Replayability

The game features a strong progression system even in early access:

• Stars: Earned for completing campaigns.
• Unlocks: New units and upgrades.
• Specialization Paths: Customize your army.
• Leaderboards: Compete globally for scores.

Replay value comes from experimenting with different strategies and unit combinations.

Visuals & Immersion

The aesthetic is clean and minimalist:

• Miniature Battles: Armies fight as stylized figurines.
• Dome Display: The battlefield appears like a contained tabletop world.
• Limitations: No zoom or interior view yet, though fans are requesting it.

Users with Quest 3 lens inserts report sharper visuals, which helps track units and spells during hectic waves.

Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths

• Natural, tactile hand controls
• Accessible design for newcomers
• Minimalist visuals aid tactical clarity
• Affordable pricing at $9.99
• Replay-friendly with leaderboards

Weaknesses

• Hand tracking suffers in poor lighting
• No zoom or resize options yet
• Limited troop variety at launch
• Lacks multiplayer or co-op

Comparisons: How It Stacks Up

• Airspace Defender: Similar dome MR interaction, but Banners & Bastions adds spells and deeper tactics.
• Guardians Frontline: Larger hybrid RTS/FPS scale, while Banners & Bastions is compact and tabletop-focused.
• Bad North: Comparable vibe, but MR makes Banners & Bastions more immersive.

Tips for New Players

1. Plan choke points: Use walls and towers effectively.
2. Mix troop types: Balance melee, ranged, and spear units.
3. Save spells: Fireballs are game-changers use wisely.
4. Rotate often: Adjust your dome view to catch weaknesses.
5. Good lighting: Improves hand tracking responsiveness.

Extra Tip: Extended play sessions are easier with adjustable meta quest 3 lenses, which reduce blur and eye fatigue.

Why Adjustable VR Lenses Improve MR Strategy

Accessories like adjustable VR lenses can transform the MR experience.

Benefits of Adjustable VR Lenses

• Vision correction: From 0 to -6D or +3D to -3D.
• Sharper detail: Spot enemy waves and troop placements faster.
• Reduced eye strain: Vital for 30 to 60 minute campaigns.
• Glasses-free: Comfortable fit without frames.
• Shareable: Adjust easily for multiple users.
• Quick setup: Snap-in mounts and sliders for convenience.

Why They Matter for Banners & Bastions

• Improved tactical focus: See unit details clearly.
• Longer endurance: Less fatigue during extended sessions.
• Immersion boost: Tabletop visuals feel more lifelike.

VR experts recommend adjustable meta quest 3 prescription lenses as one of the best upgrades for strategy-focused VR gamers.

Future Potential

Being early access, there’s room to expand:

• More units & spells in future updates.
• Camera options like zoom or first-person view.
• Multiplayer/co-op for social play.
• Eye-tracking support in future Quest models.

Community & Critical Reception

• UploadVR: Describes it as a satisfying MR strategy experience.
• Reddit Players: Compare it positively to Bad North.
• Meta Horizon Store: Early users rate it 4.4/5 stars, praising hand-tracked immersion.

Release Information

• Title: Banners & Bastions
• Developer: Not Suspicious
• Release Date: August 28, 2025 (Early Access)
• Platforms: Meta Quest 2, Quest 3, Quest 3S, Quest Pro
• Price: $9.99
• Store: Meta Horizon Store

Why Banners & Bastions and VR Lenses Are Worth It

Banners & Bastions VR is proof that mixed reality can reinvent strategy games. With intuitive hand tracking, replayable design, and an affordable price, it’s one of 2025’s most exciting MR releases.

Pairing it with adjustable meta quest 3 prescription lenses enhances clarity and comfort, helping players enjoy longer campaigns without fatigue. For newcomers exploring MR strategy, Banners & Bastions plus Quest 3  adjustable VR lenses inserts is an unbeatable combo.

FAQs

Q1: When was Banners & Bastions released?

August 28, 2025 (early access).

Q2: What platforms support it?

Quest 2, Quest 3, Quest 3S, Quest Pro.

Q3: How much does it cost?

$9.99 USD on the Meta Horizon Store.

Q4: Does it require controllers?

No, it uses full hand tracking.

Q5: What accessories improve comfort?

Adjustable meta quest 3 VR prescription lenses inserts enhance clarity and reduce strain.