The Enduring Power of Love: Banishers: Ghosts Of New Eden is an Accomplished and Emotional Action Adventure

In a gaming world increasingly defined by live service and massive open worlds, Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden stands as a powerful and deeply personal statement. Released in February 2024, this action-adventure RPG from Don’t Nod, the studio behind the celebrated Life is Strange series and Vampyr, is a poignant and accomplished tale of love, loss, and difficult choices. It’s a game that is unafraid to tackle mature themes and deliver a story that is not just a backdrop for combat, but the very heart of the experience.

The game’s premise is immediately compelling. You play as Red mac Raith and Antea Duarte, two seasoned Banishers—ghost hunters—and passionate lovers, who journey to the haunted colony of New Eden in 1695. The mission quickly goes awry, and Antea is killed, only to return as a ghost. This central twist creates a brilliant and heartbreaking dynamic. As Red, you are sworn to a solemn oath to banish all spirits, but as a man in love, you cannot bring yourself to condemn the woman you love to a void of eternal suffering. This core conflict fuels every decision you make throughout the game, and the developers have masterfully woven this dilemma into every facet of the narrative. The game’s narrative is a series of “haunting cases,” which are essentially side quests that delve into the lives of the colonists, revealing the sordid secrets and betrayals that have led to their ghostly troubles. Each case presents a morally ambiguous situation where you must decide to either “Blame” the living, “Ascend” the ghost, or “Banish” it, with each choice having a direct and lasting impact on the game’s multiple endings.

A Tale of Two Halves: Dynamic Combat and Rich Exploration

While the game’s narrative is its undisputed strength, the gameplay is a compelling blend of action and exploration. The combat system, which allows you to seamlessly switch between Red and Antea, is a brilliant mechanic. As Red, you utilize a sword and flintlock rifle for a more traditional, parry-based combat style, while Antea, in her ghostly form, brings a host of supernatural abilities, including powerful spectral attacks and a unique skill tree. This dual-character system makes every encounter feel fresh and dynamic, and the satisfaction of chaining together attacks from both characters is a core part of the game’s appeal. While some critics have noted that the combat can feel a little repetitive over a long playthrough, the constant flow of new abilities and upgrades ensures that you always have a new way to approach a fight.

The game’s world, a hauntingly beautiful recreation of colonial New England, is a character in and of itself. While it’s not a true open-world, it consists of a series of large, interconnected maps that are a joy to explore. The art direction, with its muted color palette and atmospheric lighting, perfectly captures the somber and foreboding tone of the narrative. The world is filled with hidden paths, shortcuts, and secrets, rewarding players who take the time to explore every nook and cranny. The excellent voice acting, particularly from the two leads, breathes life into the characters and makes the emotional stakes feel incredibly real. The writing is top-notch, with a keen eye for character and a willingness to explore the messy, complicated aspects of human nature. The game’s length, which can range from 25 to 50 hours, ensures that you have plenty of time to get lost in the world and its many stories.

A Story that Matters

In a time where many games feel like a collection of systems rather than a cohesive story, Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden is a powerful reminder of the enduring importance of narrative in video games. It’s a game that puts its story and its characters first, and the result is a deeply moving and unforgettable experience. While it may not have the massive budget of a AAA title, it more than makes up for it with a level of polish and a clear artistic vision that is rare to find. The game has received generally favorable reviews, with many praising its strong writing, likeable characters, and powerful emotional core. It’s a game that will stick with you long after the credits roll, and for fans of narrative-driven RPGs and emotional storytelling, it is an absolute must-play.