Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden Review

After an absence spanning nearly four years, Don’t Nod makes a triumphant return with a captivating new title. Following a series of tantalizing trailers, it’s finally time to immerse ourselves in the hauntingly magical world of Banishers. Our journey through this enthralling realm unfolded over approximately 30 hours of gameplay, encompassing both main and side missions. But without delving into specifics just yet, let’s dive into our review and assessment of Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden.

Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden

The Story

Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden transports players back to the year 1695, immersing them in the fictional city of New Eden. The narrative centers on the ghost-hunting couple Anita and Red, who find themselves embroiled in a series of mysteries after receiving a plea for help from their friend Charles regarding a peculiar language plaguing the city.

Upon their arrival in New Eden, the couple is ensnared by an unforeseen event that thrusts them into the heart of a sinister curse. This curse disrupts the divide between the living and spirit worlds, unleashing ghosts across the city. Trapped amidst this turmoil, Anita and Red embark on a perilous adventure to unravel the curse’s grip.

While the storyline may seem straightforward, it possesses depth, particularly evident in the dialogue response system. If you relish solving puzzles and uncovering mysteries, Banishers is tailor-made for you. Despite the compelling narrative and quality dialogue, the absence of Arabic language support posed a hindrance, leading to occasional bouts of boredom during the numerous cinematic scenes scattered throughout the game.

Gameplay and Missions

Summing up the gameplay of “Banishers” in one word would be “simple.” The game offers straightforward gameplay that may not deviate much from others in its category, but it distinguishes itself through the presence of two protagonists, each possessing unique abilities and combat styles. For instance, “Reed” excels in direct sword fighting, while “Antia” relies on psychic abilities.

Throughout confrontations, players have the flexibility to switch between the two characters, as certain situations necessitate the utilization of specific abilities unique to each character. Relying solely on one character isn’t feasible throughout the game, adding a layer of enjoyment to the experience. Notably, during confrontations, the character not in control provides valuable advice to the player-controlled character via an internal voice, enhancing the excitement of battles.

The game boasts a diverse array of enemies, each exhibiting its own distinct combat style. Additionally, players will encounter bosses throughout their journey, although they’re not overly burdensome. While some may appreciate the simplicity of the gameplay, others may find it lacking in excitement, ultimately boiling down to individual preferences.

A notable feature of the game is its extensive mission variety, spanning approximately 30 continuous hours across main and side quests. Particularly noteworthy are the side missions, which task players with solving intricate cases by collecting evidence and piecing together clues to unravel the mystery. Upon solving these cases, players have the opportunity to vanquish the ghost and restore order to the spirit world. With side missions boasting strong design akin to the main storyline, they enrich the game experience with added depth and excitement.

Graphics

While the game presents commendable graphics quality, it falls short of being outstanding. Nevertheless, the beautiful artistic direction in the game’s design is undeniable. However, there were moments where I couldn’t shake the feeling that the graphics quality belonged to last-generation devices. Despite witnessing promising graphics in pre-release trailers, I couldn’t help but notice a noticeable drop in quality within the actual gameplay. Nonetheless, the aesthetics and overall quality of the game’s graphics remain satisfactory.

Pros

Cons