TLDR Review: Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden for Xbox Series X

If you're into narrative-driven RPGs, Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden is worth a look. The game revolves around two ghost hunters, Antea Duarte and Red mac Raith, in a mystical and eerie 17th-century New England. They’re on a mission to uncover the mysteries of their world and banish lingering spirits. It was released for the Xbox Series X on January 1, 2023, and has a strong rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars so far.

From our research, the narrative really stands out. Antea and Red are compelling characters with rich backstories. Their relationship and the sacrifices they make are at the heart of the story, touching on themes of love, loss, and moral choices.

This has been a hit with critics, who praise the writing and voice acting. Players often find themselves emotionally invested in their journey and the tough decisions they have to make.

The game's atmosphere is another big plus. It really nails the haunting vibe of 17th-century New England, pulling you into its eerie and mysterious world. Whether you're solving mysteries or battling spirits, the game keeps you immersed.

Our research shows that the mix of exploration, mystery-solving, and combat keeps things interesting, though some find the combat a bit repetitive.

Production quality is generally high, with detailed environments and great sound design. But there are a few hiccups. Some noted performance issues on certain platforms and a lack of enemy variety.

Despite these minor drawbacks, the game still offers a captivating and emotional experience.

So, if you like action RPGs with strong storytelling and moral decisions, Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden is definitely worth checking out. It combines emotional depth with engaging gameplay, making for a memorable experience.

Wondering if Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden is worth playing? It's an action-RPG with a strong storyline and moral choices developed by DON'T NOD.

Set in 17th Century New England, you follow ghost hunters Antea and Red as they uncover supernatural mysteries and make decisions that shape the game’s narrative. If you like games with both engaging combat and deep storytelling, this one might be for you.

From our research, the gameplay mechanics are a hit. The combat is action-focused with investigation and decision-making mixed in. You get to switch between Antea and Red, leveraging their unique skills to tackle different challenges and supernatural foes.

This switching keeps things interesting and the gameplay varied.

The atmosphere is another standout. The setting really pulls you into the supernatural and emotional themes. Reviewers have praised its strong narrative, comparing it to other DON'T NOD games known for intricate storytelling and character interactions.

You’ll face moral choices that aren't just for show—they impact the story and your characters' fates in meaningful ways.

So, if you enjoy games where your decisions have real consequences and like a good blend of action and story, Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden seems like it’d be a solid pick.

Figuring out how long Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden will take really depends on your playstyle. From our research, if you stick to the main storyline, you're looking at about 15 to 20 hours of gameplay. But if you're the type who likes to explore, complete side quests, and really dig into every detail, it could stretch to around 25 to 30 hours.

How you play also matters. If you love taking your time to soak up all the lore and details, you might find yourself spending even more time in the game. On the flip side, if you're a speedrunner, you might wrap up the main story quicker.

One cool thing to keep in mind: there's some replayability with multiple endings and different story paths. So, if you enjoy experiencing all possible outcomes, you might spend even more time replaying the game.

Also, if you're playing on Xbox Series X, the game offers two modes—Performance and Quality. According to the manufacturer, Performance mode aims for smoother gameplay at higher frame rates (around 60 FPS), which is great for combat. Quality mode focuses on beefing up the visuals like textures and lighting, though it usually sticks to 30 FPS.

In short, Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden can offer a good amount of content, whether you just want to follow the main story or dive deep into everything the world has to offer.