Unlike Vampyr's public-health focus, this story centers a couple torn between duty and love. Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden from DONT NOD is a narrative-driven action RPG about spirit hunting and loss. It pairs third-person action combat with a clue-based investigation system, asking players to explore settlements, gather evidence, interview NPCs, and decide the fate of the living and the dead. The game suits players who prefer story-led RPGs with moral ambiguity, investigation, emotional stakes, and character-driven endings.

What kind of game is Banishers?

Banishers is a story-first action role-playing title that ties its plot to investigation work. You play as a Banisher couple in 1695 New Eden, driven by a personal tragedy that turns one protagonist into a spirit. The core loop alternates between examining hauntings, collecting clues from settlers, and resolving cases that force moral choices. That narrative framing makes the player’s motivation as investigative as it is emotional.

How does the dual-character system shape encounters?

The game uses switching between the living Red and the spirit Antea to create contrasting strategies. Red uses sword and rifle while Antea employs spectral abilities to reveal hidden paths and affect spirits, with separate skill trees and gear progression for each. Combat mixes melee, ranged, and supernatural attacks, and encounters require swapping roles to manage threats and access exploration routes tied to each character’s capabilities.

What does Banishers look and sound like?

The setting leans on 17th-century North American folklore and a muted, unsettling palette that supports horror tones. Voice acting and character writing receive clear emphasis, giving the leads believable chemistry and emotional weight. Environmental design favors tight settlements and haunted wilds, and the interface keeps investigation notes and clues accessible so players can follow case threads without losing the story’s momentum.

Is replayability driven by choices or structure?

Replay value comes from case outcomes and the moral framework that forces hard decisions at each resolution. The semi-open world allows backtracking with new spectral abilities to reach sealed areas, inviting return visits to earlier zones. Players who value branching endings and investigative thoroughness gain more from repeat playthroughs. Those who expect continuous, fast-paced action may find the pacing deliberate and focused on consequence.

In summary, Banishers favors patient storytellers over action purists

In summary, Banishers is a reflective, relationship-driven pick for players drawn to moral tension and investigative storytelling. It rewards careful engagement with its characters and casework, creating weighty choices that matter to the ending. Players seeking immediate, nonstop action or arcade-style sessions may find its tempo mismatched to their taste; for those who value consequence and atmosphere, it stands as a thoughtful narrative experience.