Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden is a game that offers a fresh and compelling supernatural adventure in a sea of sequels. Developed by Don’t Nod, this game takes players on a journey through a supernatural, alternate reality version of 1600s America, where they play as a ghost-hunting detective. The game combines elements of death, drama, and romance to create a unique and captivating story.
One of the standout features of Banishers is its ability to swap between living and spectral protagonists. Players take on the role of Red, an overly-emotional Scotsman, and Antea, an ill-tempered master ghost hunter who is herself a ghost. This dynamic allows for interesting gameplay mechanics and adds depth to the storytelling. As Red and Antea, players travel around talking to pilgrims and solving their hauntings. The concept of being a “dope slayer of specters” is both fun and intriguing.
While Banishers borrows elements from other action-adventure games, it still manages to execute them well. The writing is strong, the characters are likable, and there are plenty of twists and turns in the story to keep players engaged. However, the game does suffer from some pacing issues. There are repeated story beats where the characters retread the same ground, which can become tiresome. Additionally, unnecessary pauses and slow elevators can break the immersion.
Despite these flaws, Banishers offers solid combat encounters, puzzles, and side quests for players to enjoy. Combat scenarios provide an extra level of challenge with modifiers that require players to change their playstyle. Puzzles offer rewards for solving environmental logic problems, while side quests allow players to dive deeper into the world and its characters.
The setting of Banishers is one of its strongest aspects. The supernatural reimagining of colonial America provides a fantastic backdrop for the tale of love and loss at the center of the game. Death and the afterlife are constant themes, and players are faced with morally gray situations that require them to make difficult choices. However, the limited options for resolving hauntings can feel restrictive and lack nuance.
The ability to swap between characters is not only used for storytelling but also in combat. Players can switch between Red and Antea, each with their own unique abilities. This adds depth to the combat system and allows for strategic gameplay. However, controlling the characters can feel clunky at times, with sluggish movement and erratic camera movements.
Enemy variety in Banishers becomes scarce as the game progresses, which can make combat repetitive. While the monsters are interesting to fight, seeing the same undead faces over and over again can become tiresome. This lack of variety detracts from the overall experience.
Despite its flaws, Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden offers a fresh and compelling supernatural adventure. With its strong writing, likable characters, and unique setting, the game manages to stand out in a crowded market. While it may borrow elements from other games, it still manages to provide an enjoyable cross country odyssey filled with heartbreak and ectoplasm. For those who enjoy weird games with a mix of death and drama, Banishers is definitely worth a try.
