Narrative-driven adventure games are the main type of game for Don’t Nod but we have seen that the studio is branching out to other genres and Banishers: Ghost of New Eden is part of that change. They have done that with previous games namely Vampyre. It was a typical RPG that put the choice and consequence mechanics in front of the players. However, it was not as refined. That has been changed with the studio’s new game being more furnished. The way it handles its RPG and action aspects shows that the studio now has the grasp to handle other genres.
Banishers is a new action RPG game from the studio that emphasizes narrative and the choices of players. Their narrative-driven experience combines with roleplaying. This time, the results are much better. The game does not introduce something groundbreaking but rather sticks to the basics.
At times, it can feel too straightforward and seem like the game is kind of handicapped in mechanics. It also delivers a solid and stable experience that irons out all the rougher edges from their previous game. It also succeeds in narrating a well-made world. A world that has some tough choices and consequences that it holds sway. All this makes you wonder Is Banishers: Ghost of New Eden worth it? Let’s find out.
Premise and Character
Banishers: Ghost of New Eden tells the story of Antea and Red who are husband and wife while also working as banishers. Banishers are ghost hunters who hunt down otherworldly beings. They arrive at a town to answer the call of their old friend. The two are called to help the community rid of a nightmarish curse. They soon realize that the enemy they are fighting is far more powerful than they had anticipated. In the fight, Antea dies but she comes back as a spirit leaving both of them in a strange dilemma.
Now that she has become the very being that the two of them have been fighting all their life, how will they move on? The game’s core narrative works exactly like that. The two characters Antea and Red are the center focus of the narrative. The solid writing and performance are both well-developed. That’s a good thing because few games get it right. It’s always good watching Red and Antea talking to each other as their relationship grows and changes with this new reality. It is good to see them as they support each other in the face of major problems.
Setting
Like the characters, the setting of the game is also a lot better. It combines the 1690s era with fantasy and occult elements. It shows a strong sense of place that creates its unique identity. There is a desire to learn more about the world and the ghosts that haunt it. That desire remains the main force of the game. Through multiple arcs and sub-narratives, Banishers: Ghost of New Eden lets players go through different perspectives. It lets players immerse into the game through these smart and carefully placed elements.
Choice and Consequence
Banishers: Ghost of New Eden amazingly uses choice and consequence mechanics. I am not comparing it with Fallout or The Witcher because it’s nowhere close. It is a low budget game and for that, it does a great job. The way it utilizes characters, narrative, and story lets players have the choice in some well-established decisions is quite good.
The majority of the choices you face come from the Red and Antea’s internal struggles. Both of them know full well that the existence of ghosts has a cost in life. They now have two choices. Let Antea ascend to the next realm because they are duty bound to do so. Or they can go a rough path and fight for their love and survival. Even if they have to kill people to bring Antea back.
On a smaller level, as you move from quest to quest Banishers: Ghost of New Eden will also present smaller and isolated stories. In these smaller stories, investigating haunting and curses can lead to some exciting results. The choices that you are supposed to make as a Banisher in these quests carry weight and have an impact. One of the reasons for this impact is the way narrative shapes them.
Combat
As an action RPG the game, it stumbles in combat even though it is a more polished take on the developer’s previous try. Combat is functional with its mechanics and base attacks but still feels weak. Gaining new abilities and skills makes things interesting, especially in the beginning. This is especially apparent when the game incentivizes you to swap between the two characters by introducing different kinds of enemies.
Mostly combat is simple and straightforward. That is not a bad thing but with the lack of challenge or good counter design things start to feel dragged. The general movement and control during combat are clunky. It remains an issue throughout the game since these are the core parts of any combat in Banishers: Ghost of New Eden.
Progression and Exploration
Progression is limited throughout Banishers: Ghost of New Eden. As you play the game, you will level up which will get you skill points. You can use these skill points to upgrade the skills of Antea and Red. You will also gather resources throughout the game that you can use to upgrade weapons and gear. It’s just normal video game stuff that does not go well beyond the simple and forgettable part of the game.
Exploration is good but even that is just generic like other gameplay aspects of the game. It has a good balance between reward and being the focus. The game is a semi-open-world experience that lets players travel to a different location. From wildlands full of ghosts to towns full of people, all of it holds importance.
Though you have the option of exploring an area openly there is rarely an open area to explore. Most of the maps are pretty straightforward. Small side areas and detours make up the bulk of exploration. The reward and upgrade material are good enough that they will keep you engaged at least momentarily. You can also return to previously blocked areas with new powers which adds another element to exploration.
General Gameplay
For a double A game, Banishers: Ghost of New Eden looks pretty amazing. You will occasionally run into some glitches lip syncing and other issues but updates have fixed most of the glitches. Banishers: Ghost of New Eden runs quite well and looks good. The art design is solid and brings the game to life.
Verdict (Is Banishers: Ghost of New Eden Worth It)
Banishers: Ghost of New Eden is a generic RPG with most of its aspects being decent at best. However, as a low budget game, it does things quite well. It follows the old-style choice and consequence idea and manages to nail the feeling. From choosing to play as either Red or Antea, to carrying the weight of your action, the game intricately delivers it. The story, storytelling, player choice mechanics, and main characters are some of the best highlights of the game.
In the gameplay aspect especially in combat and progression, Banishers: Ghost of New Eden struggles to make a mark. Not only does it lack progression but exploration as well. There are not many options to explore even though it has multiple regions to explore. The combat is not polished and feels clunky. Despite all its flaws, the game manages to deliver an overall good experience. If you like action RPGs with more emphasis on player choice and consequences then this could be the game for you.
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