Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden

Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden is astounding, and the way it tells a compelling story and connects you to the characters is really impressive. It’s impossible not to recommend this masterpiece of a game.

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In Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden, explore 17th-century New Eden as Red or Antea, experienced ghost hunters on a mission to lift a malevolent curse. Engage in intimate narrative-driven action-RPG gameplay, and delve into a bittersweet love story between the two protagonists. Protect the living from supernatural threats and unravel chilling mysteries in this new title from DON'T NOD, creators of Life is Strange and Vampyr.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

87%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,316 reviews

story1,209 positive mentions

grinding74 negative mentions

Engaging narrative with well-developed characters that evoke strong emotions.
Beautiful graphics and immersive atmosphere that enhance the storytelling experience.
Interesting side quests (haunting cases) that add depth to the main story and allow for meaningful choices.

Combat can feel repetitive and lacks variety in enemy types, leading to a monotonous experience.
Fast travel is limited to specific campfires, resulting in tedious backtracking and long traversal times.
Some players may find the pacing slow, especially in the early hours of the game.

story
2,549 mentions
47 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The story of "Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden" is widely praised for its emotional depth and engaging narrative, focusing on themes of love, loss, and moral dilemmas. Players appreciate the well-written characters and the intertwining of main and side quests, which often explore complex social issues relevant to the game's 17th-century setting. However, some critiques highlight that the gameplay can feel repetitive and that certain quests may detract from the overall pacing of the story, leading to a mixed reception regarding the balance between narrative and gameplay mechanics.
- “Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden is an emotional, semi-open-world game with a heavy focus on storytelling.”
- “The game shines in its writing and story, offering side quests that are not just filler but deeply engaging narratives that explore themes of love, loss, and redemption.”
- “The story is captivating and the gameplay mechanics are very fun, the combat is also really good and engaging.”
- “Some main story quests are also like this.”
- “The writing of the quests and the plot is so bad.”
- “The story is bland, and the combat just feels very clunky and not very interesting.”
gameplay
642 mentions
37 % positive mentions
55 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its similarities to the combat mechanics of "God of War" and "Vampyr." While the character-switching mechanic and combat abilities are praised for adding depth, the gameplay often feels repetitive and lacks enemy variety, leading to a grindy experience. Additionally, issues such as camera angles, hit detection bugs, and unintuitive mechanics detract from the overall enjoyment, although the engaging narrative and atmospheric world help to maintain player interest.
- “The gameplay is solid, with seamless transitions between the characters, each with their own unique abilities and perspectives, making for a rewarding experience.”
- “Banishers is an immensely enjoyable game that marries up some tried and true action game mechanics with a unique and compelling storyline which leans heavily into love and loss.”
- “The combat mechanics allow for a diverse set of strategies that keeps gameplay interesting and fresh.”
- “The gameplay formula began to feel lacklustre and I was itching to get to the next area; despite the stories themselves feeling so rewarding, the journey though was not.”
- “The combat mechanics are pretty dull and also generic - light attack, charge heavy, dodge, block, rinse & repeat.”
- “The gameplay is very much like the God of War, but the developers made a poor job trying to put them together.”
graphics
397 mentions
67 % positive mentions
31 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals, detailed character models, and immersive environments, often described as beautiful and on par with high-end titles. However, some users noted issues such as graphical glitches during combat, inconsistent performance, and a lack of standout features in the world design. Overall, while the graphics are generally praised, there are mixed opinions regarding optimization and the impact of certain visual elements on gameplay experience.
- “The graphics are phenomenal, bringing the haunting world of New Eden to life with breathtaking detail.”
- “The game is beautiful both in graphical fidelity and art design.”
- “The visuals are stunning, creating an immersive experience that draws you into the haunting world of New Eden.”
- “There's a weird graphical glitch during combat that fragments the screen, and despite being complained about by several users, has no concrete resolution (happens regardless of DLSS, V-Sync, G-Sync, settings).”
- “The graphics are far below current standards.”
- “Graphics are of the early PS4 era with very poor and stiff facial animations.”
atmosphere
167 mentions
66 % positive mentions
32 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and eerie qualities, effectively blending haunting visuals, deep lore, and compelling storytelling. While the sound design and music contribute to the overall mood, some players feel that the music could be more distinctive and impactful. Overall, the game excels in creating a rich, atmospheric world that captivates players, despite some criticisms regarding repetitive gameplay and lack of diverse environmental elements.
- “It's deep lore, fantastic story, and exceptional writing create a dark, eerie atmosphere that masterfully blends myths, legends, and nightmares with problematic societies, personal stories, and fears about the new world.”
- “The game's atmosphere is rich with eerie, supernatural elements that keep you on the edge of your seat.”
- “From the haunting landscapes to the eerie sound design, the game successfully pulls you into its gloomy atmosphere.”
- “Most of the music just blends into the background and none of it adds to the atmosphere of the game, unlike how the music adds another layer of horror in Vampyr when you're trying to embrace an NPC.”
- “While I found the world and atmosphere of New Eden fascinating, the way the story and world are unfolded to the player is boring, mundane, or just not interesting.”
- “There is a lot of detail in the environments; they are varied, and the atmosphere is thick and heavy, but everything just teeters on not quite being enough on every front.”
emotional
140 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden" is widely praised for its deeply engaging storytelling and character development, often evoking strong feelings of love, loss, and grief. Players appreciate the authentic and heartfelt dialogues between the protagonists, which enhance the emotional weight of their journey, while the game's rich narrative and well-crafted side quests contribute to a powerful, immersive experience that resonates long after playing. Despite some critiques regarding gameplay mechanics, the emotional depth and impactful choices leave a lasting impression, making it a memorable and touching experience for many players.
- “The storytelling is expertly crafted, and the interplay between the two protagonists keeps you invested in their journey, full of twists, mysteries, and emotional depth.”
- “It’s a game that not only entertains but also resonates emotionally.”
- “The story is incredibly well told and the chemistry between the two protagonists is really touching.”
optimization
139 mentions
49 % positive mentions
41 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
Overall, the optimization of the game has received mixed reviews. While many players report solid performance with minimal stuttering and no major bugs, others have experienced inconsistent frame rates and occasional performance issues, particularly in larger areas. Some users noted that the game runs well on various hardware setups, but there are still calls for further optimization to enhance the experience, especially given the game's impressive graphics.
- “The game is well optimized and stable.”
- “The graphics are great and it’s well optimized for PC, so very little performance issues.”
- “It's so rare to have an Unreal Engine game that does not stutter like crazy, does not melt your rig, does not take an eternity to compile shaders, does not crash, and, against all odds, is well optimized, so performance is solid.”
- “Performance is all over the place.”
- “One of the most poorly optimized games I have ever seen.”
- “It isn't bad but it definitely could use better optimization, which unfortunately isn't something Don't Nod tends to be good about.”
music
131 mentions
49 % positive mentions
49 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising its atmospheric qualities and emotional depth, while others find it forgettable and lacking in variety. Many players appreciate how the soundtrack complements the game's tone, enhancing the overall experience, but there are frequent mentions of repetitive tracks and awkward silences that disrupt immersion. Overall, while the music contributes positively to the atmosphere, it often fails to leave a lasting impression.
- “The music, dialogue, and voice acting are standout elements.”
- “The game has a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere, with stunning visuals and a haunting soundtrack that adds to the overall immersion.”
- “The music resonates very well with the narrative being told.”
- “Most of the music just blends into the background and none of them add to the atmosphere of the game like how the music adds another horror to the atmosphere in Vampyr when you're trying to embrace an NPC.”
- “Music/soundtracks - oh god...the music...let's forget about the combat for a sec....this game is seriously lacking in soundtracks and music.”
- “The game's soundtrack occasionally suffers from awkward silences as it loops, breaking the immersion and, at times, leads to an unintentionally amusing moment.”
grinding
77 mentions
1 % positive mentions
3 % neutral mentions
96 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has been widely criticized for its repetitiveness and lack of variety, leading to a tedious experience for players. Many reviewers noted that the combat becomes monotonous, especially due to the limited enemy types and excessive backtracking required for side quests and exploration. Overall, the game suffers from a slow pacing and a grindy nature that detracts from the enjoyment of the storyline and gameplay.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Coupled with the lackluster enemy varieties, which make you fight the same enemies over and over again in a 40-50 hour game, it gets tedious real fast.”
- “Grinding for upgrade materials is beyond tedious, and with all the backtracking you'll do once you unlock new abilities, the combat really begins to drag.”
- “The lack of enemy variety and repetitive encounters make traversing the map a tedious chore, especially during repeated exploration of familiar areas.”
stability
32 mentions
31 % positive mentions
9 % neutral mentions
59 % negative mentions
The game's stability is mixed, with many players reporting a generally smooth experience free of major crashes or glitches, particularly on high-end systems. However, some users have encountered occasional bugs and performance issues, especially during extended play sessions or when using certain graphical settings. Overall, while the game is visually appealing and runs well for many, it suffers from optimization problems that can disrupt immersion for some players.
- “No glitches, no crashes.”
- “The game looks great and it runs great on a 3080, 12900k and has been very stable.”
- “It runs great at 4k with DLAA everything on max at a solid 144 fps.”
- “I don't necessarily think this is a bad game, it is poorly optimized and sometimes a buggy mess.”
- “I experienced several game freezes and crashes.”
- “During my next 30 hours of playing after the initial review, I started encountering some serious bugs, glitches, and poor performance.”
replayability
30 mentions
20 % positive mentions
70 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players noting the appeal of multiple endings and varied choices that encourage exploration and different playthroughs. However, many reviewers express that once the main narrative is completed, the incentive to replay diminishes due to its linear structure and limited new content. Overall, while there are elements that enhance replayability, such as unlockable skills and hidden areas, the consensus suggests that the game may not warrant multiple playthroughs for everyone.
- “Replayability value: yes, to receive other endings or to mop up remaining quests, combat challenges, etc. There is an overabundance to do.”
- “It has good replayability with the different choices you can make.”
- “Each choice affects the story and the world, adding replayability and depth.”
- “I would recommend this but be prepared to feel slightly compromised with no replay value.”
- “But after you completed the game for the endings, the replay value dies.”
- “I would say no replayability here but one time is more than enough.”
character development
26 mentions
38 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
12 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is generally praised for its depth and emotional resonance, with many reviewers highlighting well-written plots, meaningful dialogue, and strong voice acting that enhance player investment in the characters' fates. However, some critiques point to a lack of backstory for certain characters, leading to difficulties in relatability. Overall, the combination of beautiful character designs and immersive storytelling contributes to a rich gaming experience.
- “The character development is top-notch, making you care about their fate.”
- “So much work and love has gone into the character development and the stories exploring human relationships, both romantic and platonic.”
- “The storytelling and character development in this game are amazing.”
- “Character development isn't great: hard to relate to characters where there is a lack of backstory, some lines seem random/contradictory to the character.”
- “Zero character development.”
- “The character designs also leave much to be desired, lacking depth and failing to captivate.”
humor
14 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a mix of dark and quip humor, with some players appreciating the emotional and funny dialogues between the protagonists. While some moments are intentionally humorous, others come off as unintentionally funny, particularly in the context of character dynamics and narrative choices. Overall, the humor adds a layer of entertainment, though opinions vary on its effectiveness and execution.
- “All this small talk between missions, as you explore, offers a lot of emotional moments and some nice dark humor.”
- “It's dark, but it has plenty of quip humor, without trying too hard to be funny.”
- “The narration is top-notch, as Dontnod obliges, and the exchanges between the two protagonists are pleasant, with the occasional touch of humor that's a joy to behold.”
monetization
7 mentions
29 % positive mentions
29 % neutral mentions
43 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its lack of microtransactions, providing a focused and high-quality experience without manipulative monetization tactics. Players appreciate the fair pricing and absence of cash grab mechanics, highlighting the game's commitment to delivering value without compromising on quality.
- “Great price tag, no microtransactions, no Denuvo... what else?”
- “There are no microtransactions.”
- “The budget for this game definitely wasn't spent on music or marketing; I've barely seen any advertising for this game, and half of my friends don't even know about it - I'm trying to spread the word.”
- “No microtransaction nonsense and cash grab mechanics.”
- “Great action game with an intriguing narrative and no manipulative microtransactions or sacrificing of quality for profit.”