Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden is a fresh action-roleplaying game by the renowned developer Don’t Nod. In this game, players embody Antea and Red, a couple separated by life and death. Don’t Nod, famous for the impactful Life is Strange series, is known for its narrative-driven games shaped by player choices. Banishers follows suit, immersing players in a story where they must navigate through various dialogues and narratives to rid New Eden of its ghostly presence. What sets Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden apart is its central theme - a tough decision reminiscent of the toughest one in Life is Strange. In the pursuit of an undying love, players are faced with a dilemma - sacrifice many for the sake of a few.
Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden adapts Don't Nod's narrative style into an expansive action-adventure game. As Red and Antea explore hauntings plaguing New Eden's settlers, themes of love, death, relationships, and difficult choices are unraveled. These challenges compel Red and Altea to scrutinize their circumstances through a broader perspective. The game kicks off with a pivotal moment where Red and Altea pledge an oath to each other, setting the stage for significant decisions ahead. Upholding this oath, regardless of player choices, demands a monumental sacrifice from the lovers.
The Heart-Wrenching Sacrifice in Banishers
The original Life is Strange culminated in a profound decision. Based on players' actions across the five episodes, the fate of Max and Chloe, central to the story, shifts between close friends or newfound lovers. However, their reunion leads to a monumental choice - save Chloe or protect their hometown, Arcadia Bay. Opting to save Chloe results in the destruction of Arcadia Bay by a catastrophic storm, sacrificing numerous lives for the couple's love. Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden transforms this concept into a core gameplay element.
The game's universe rules are outlined early in its prologue. Ghosts, fueled by the living, need essence to persist and grow stronger. Banishers ensure their peaceful transition by either ascension or expulsion. While theoretically, amassed essence can revive the dead, it demands a hefty price. Red and Altea face two paths - resurrect Altea by sacrificing New Eden's inhabitants or let her ascend. Each solved haunting provides an opportunity to strengthen Altea's ghost through sacrificing the living.
Banishers' Moral Compass and Haunted Souls
Banishers follows Red and Altea as they assist New Eden's residents in finding closure with their haunting loved ones. As a Banisher, Red must guide these ghosts to peace, yet Altea's potential revival presents a moral quandary. Instead of aiding the ghosts' departure, Red and Altea can opt to blame and punish the haunted individuals, ending their lives. Ultimately, Red and Altea must condemn and sacrifice numerous innocent souls to perpetuate their love. Similar to Arcadia Bay's fate, these sacrifices are vital for a single relationship to endure.
Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden amplifies Don't Nod's narrative prowess, engaging players in an emotionally charged journey that tests the limits of love and sacrifice. Unlike the Life is Strange series, Banishers plunges players into the depths of tough decisions from the start, compelling them to face the consequences of their choices with each haunting. Whether players opt for Altea's resurrection or ascension, Red's path demands a significant sacrifice. Whether this sacrifice holds value is a question for fans to grapple with as Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden unfolds.