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CRITIK

Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden

Name: Comprehensive Review and Analysis of Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden
Item: Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden
Author: Critik Editorial Team

2024

GenresFantasy, Adventure, Action, Third Person Perspective, RPG, Single Player

AvailableFeb 13, 2024

PlatformPC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X

DeveloperDONTNOD Entertainment

Overview

Hunt ghosts as two memorable characters in a story driven Action-RPG where your decisions have dramatic consequences. Solve haunting cases and battle supernatural forces combining Antea’s spiritual powers and Red’s arsenal.

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Game analysis

Critik Scorecard

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Story and Narrative

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY

Story Score

Positive (80-100)

89%

Mixed (50-79)

11%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Story of Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden are overwhelmingly positive. Many critics praised the emotionally compelling and maturely written narrative. But Why Tho?? describes the story as "emotionally complicated and believably written in a mature way," while GameStar highlights the "well-executed and thought-provoking narrative that forces players to make difficult decisions." PCGamesN also commends the game for its phenomenal worldbuilding, expertly written characters, and impactful dialogue. These positive aspects of the story resonate with multiple critics, indicating a strong narrative foundation. In terms of negatives, a few critics mentioned pacing issues and varying quality of side quests. PlayStation Universe notes that the main plot line has pacing issues and backtracking, but also acknowledges the satisfying confrontations with the villains. Additionally, they mention that side quests have varying quality. These criticisms suggest that while the main story is engaging, there may be some inconsistencies in the overall pacing and quality of additional content. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the story of Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden is a standout feature of the game. Critics like GameGrin, PC Invasion, and Dexerto mention that the story pulls in players who don't typically play this type of game, indicating its broad appeal. The narrative-driven experience, exploration of grief and difficult moral choices, and impactful character relationships are consistently praised by multiple critics. The positive reception of the story, with its emotionally compelling themes and engaging choices, solidifies Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden as a game with a strong and captivating narrative.

TL;DR

story and narrative

Critics overwhelmingly praise the emotionally compelling and maturely written narrative of Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden, with accolades for its complex storytelling and impactful dialogue. Some critics mention pacing issues and varying quality of side quests, but overall, the consensus is that the story is a standout feature of the game, drawing in players from different backgrounds with its engaging themes and choices. Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden stands out as a game with a strong and captivating narrative that resonates with a broad audience.

Gameplay Mechanics

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY

Gameplay Score

Positive (80-100)

31%

Mixed (50-79)

62%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.

The opinions of the critics regarding the gameplay of Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden are varied, with both positive and negative aspects highlighted. Several critics praised the combat mechanics and the ability to switch between characters, which added depth and variety to the gameplay experience. GameGrin commended the sophisticated combat system and the option to upgrade weapons and items, while PCGamesN compared the combat to the enjoyable experience found in the God of War reboot. TheSixthAxis also noted the fresh and engaging combat resulting from the contrasting skills of the two main characters. These positive aspects of the gameplay contribute to the overall enjoyment and engagement of the players. On the other hand, some critics expressed disappointment with certain aspects of the gameplay. But Why Tho?? and Twinfinite criticized the combat encounters, describing them as repetitive, underwhelming, and lacking variety. Shacknews mentioned that the combat felt generic and monotonous, with clunky camera controls. The lackluster combat system and limited variety of enemies were also mentioned by GameSkinny. These negative aspects of the gameplay could potentially detract from the overall experience and enjoyment of the players. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden offers a mixed gameplay experience. While the combat mechanics and the ability to switch between characters are generally praised, there are concerns about the repetitive nature of the combat encounters and the lack of variation in abilities and weapons. The investigation mechanics, exploration, and narrative-heavy gameplay were mentioned positively by several critics, such as PC Invasion and Noisy Pixel. However, the combat system received mixed reviews, with some critics finding it enjoyable and engaging, while others found it lacking in depth and excitement. Despite these mixed opinions, the gameplay of Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden offers enough positive aspects to potentially provide an enjoyable experience for players, especially those who appreciate narrative-driven gameplay and exploration.

TL;DR

gameplay mechanics

Critics have mixed opinions on Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden gameplay. Positive highlights include praised combat mechanics, character switching, and engaging combat system. However, critics also criticized repetitive combat encounters and lack of variety in enemies. Overall, the game offers a narrative-heavy experience with some enjoyable aspects but falls short in combat depth and excitement.

Graphics and Visual Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS

Visual Score

Positive (80-100)

55%

Mixed (50-79)

45%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden are generally positive. Many critics praise the game for its stunning visuals, beautiful aesthetics, and detailed environments. Critics like PCGamesN and Shacknews specifically mention the smooth combat animations and impressive facial technology and animations. The game is also commended for its evocative setting, capturing a moody and cursed atmosphere, as noted by GamesHub and GamingTrend. The visual design is described as excellent, with smooth animations, flashy effects, and a captivating depiction of colonial America, according to But Why Tho??. The game's graphics are also praised for their atmospheric and immersive qualities, as mentioned by Digital Trends and Stevivor. CGMagazine and TheXboxHub highlight the gorgeous visuals and atmospheric environments, while GameSkinny praises the landscapes and effects. The positive opinions of these critics indicate that the Graphics and Visual Design of Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden are generally well-received. However, there are some criticisms regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of the game. Some critics mention technical flaws, such as frame rate drops, visual glitches, and pixelation, which can be distracting, as noted by Push Square. Try Hard Guides points out that the opening act of the game has a dark and uninspired atmosphere with a color palette that doesn't pop. PlayStation Universe mentions that while some areas have a sense of authenticity, there are also bland locations and tedious traversal. Impulsegamer mentions animation and visual bugs, which can detract from the overall visual experience. Stevivor also mentions that the environments can look samey, which may affect the overall visual variety of the game. These criticisms indicate that there are some areas where the Graphics and Visual Design of Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden could be improved. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the Graphics and Visual Design of Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden are impressive and visually appealing. The game is praised for its stunning visuals, beautiful aesthetics, and detailed environments. The smooth combat animations, impressive facial technology, and atmospheric settings contribute to the overall positive reception of the game's visual design. While there are some criticisms regarding technical flaws, uninspired atmospheres, and lack of visual variety in certain areas, the overall sentiment is that the game's Graphics and Visual Design are a strong aspect of the game. Critics like GameGrin, PC Gamer, and Twinfinite highlight the positive aspects of the game's visual design, while also acknowledging some areas for improvement.

TL;DR

graphics and visual design

Critics love Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden's stunning visuals, smooth combat animations, and moody atmosphere. However, some point out technical flaws like frame rate drops and uninspired areas. Overall, the game's graphics are praised for their immersive qualities, with some room for improvement noted.

Music and Sound Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN

Sound Score

Positive (80-100)

60%

Mixed (50-79)

40%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.

In analyzing the opinions of the critics regarding the Sound Design and Music of Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden, it is evident that there are both positive and negative aspects to be considered. GameGrin praises the sound design, describing it as genius and capable of creating a scary atmosphere. Impulsegamer also commends the audio, specifically highlighting the standout voice acting. PlayStation Universe acknowledges the excellent voice acting and natural chemistry between the lead characters. XboxEra highly praises the voice acting, noting that it effectively brings the characters to life and conveys emotions. On the negative side, there are some criticisms regarding technical issues and audio bugs. PlayStation Universe mentions occasional frame rate dips and technical issues with the soundtrack cutting out during conversations or cutscenes. Push Square points out audio bugs that randomly cut the background music during cutscenes, which is a noticeable issue. TheXboxHub also mentions occasional sound glitches, such as fading in and out near a waterfall. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the voice acting in Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden is superb and highly praised. The chemistry between the characters and the quality of the writing are also commended. However, there are some technical issues and audio bugs that detract from the overall experience. The sound design is generally well-received, with GameGrin and Impulsegamer highlighting its effectiveness in creating a scary atmosphere. While the music is not prominently mentioned, GameGrin states that it is good but not memorable. TheSixthAxis notes that there are no standout moments in the sound design or music. Despite the criticisms, the positive aspects of the sound design and voice acting contribute to an overall positive reception of the audio in Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden.

TL;DR

music and sound design

Critics praise the superb voice acting and chemistry in Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden, creating an immersive experience. However, technical issues like frame rate dips and audio bugs slightly tarnish the overall audio quality. Sound design earns kudos for setting a scary atmosphere, but music is deemed forgettable. Despite flaws, the voice acting shines bright in this spooky adventure.

Voice Acting

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VOICE ACTING

Acting Score

Positive (80-100)

100%

Mixed (50-79)

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the voice acting.

The voice acting in Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from the majority of critics. Many critics praised the performances of the voice actors, noting their ability to convey emotions effectively and enhance the narrative experience. Critics such as But Why Tho?? and PlayStation Universe commended the excellent performances and the natural chemistry between the characters. GameGrin and Push Square also highlighted the fitting accents and the love and care expressed by the main characters. CGMagazine and Stevivor specifically mentioned the emotional performances and the chemistry between certain characters, namely Red and Antea. The varied cast in the game, as mentioned by TheSixthAxis, contributed to the fantastic voicework. XboxEra further praised the voice acting for bringing the characters to life and effectively conveying emotions, while also commending the quality of the writing. While the majority of critics had positive opinions about the voice acting in Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden, there were no specific negative comments mentioned in the given reviews. It is important to note that the absence of negative feedback suggests that the voice acting was generally well-received and did not have any major flaws or drawbacks. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the voice acting in Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden is of high quality and greatly enhances the overall experience of the game. The performances were described as excellent, stellar, superb, and highly praised. The natural chemistry between the characters, the conveyance of emotions, and the fitting accents were all highlighted as positive aspects of the voice acting. The varied cast and the quality of the writing were also mentioned as contributing factors to the positive reception. With the majority of critics expressing their satisfaction with the voice acting, it can be concluded that the voice acting in Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden is a standout feature of the game.

TL;DR

voice acting

Voice acting in Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden wows critics with stellar performances, emotional depth, and natural chemistry between characters. Praise for conveyance of emotions, fitting accents, and varied cast. No negative feedback indicates top-notch quality and standout feature of the game.

Technical Performance

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE

Tech Score

Positive (80-100)

Mixed (50-79)

100%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.

In terms of the technical performance on PC, GameGrin highlights some optimization issues with stuttering when loading new areas. However, they also mention that installing the game on an SSD can help alleviate these issues. This suggests that the game has the potential to run smoothly on PC with the right hardware setup. Try Hard Guides, on the other hand, does not provide much detail on the technical performance or stability of Banishers on PC, except for mentioning a few graphical errors. This lack of specific information makes it difficult to gauge the overall technical performance on this platform. Moving on to the PlayStation 5, there are mixed opinions regarding the technical performance. COGconnected mentions experiencing minor framerate slowdowns, indicating that the game may not consistently maintain a smooth performance on this platform. Digital Trends, Impulsegamer, Noisy Pixel, PlayStation Universe, and Push Square all highlight various technical issues such as lag time when accessing the map, black screens during fast travel selection, occasional hard crashes, frame rate dips, visual glitches, pixelation, and audio bugs. These criticisms suggest that Banishers suffers from multiple technical issues on the PS5, which can be distracting and impact the overall gameplay experience. On the Xbox Series X, Stevivor mentions plentiful framerate drops and gaps in walls indicating loading in new terrain. This suggests that the game may struggle with maintaining a consistent performance on this platform. However, TheSixthAxis and TheXboxHub provide more positive feedback, mentioning that the game runs smoothly in Performance mode and overall runs well, respectively. These contrasting opinions suggest that while Banishers may have some technical issues on the Xbox Series X, it also has the potential to provide a relatively stable and enjoyable experience on this platform. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden has technical performance issues across all gaming platforms. The game suffers from various problems such as framerate drops, visual glitches, lag time, black screens, and occasional crashes. While some critics mention improvements with patches or specific modes that offer better performance, the overall sentiment suggests that the technical performance of Banishers is subpar and can be distracting for players. It is important for the developers to address these issues to enhance the overall gameplay experience and ensure a smoother performance across all platforms.

TL;DR

technical performance

Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden faces technical performance challenges on all platforms, with issues like framerate drops, visual glitches, and crashes. While some platforms show potential for improvement with patches or specific modes, overall consensus is that the game's technical issues can be distracting for players. Developers need to address these issues for a smoother gameplay experience across all platforms.

Replay Value

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE

Replay Score

Positive (80-100)

50%

Mixed (50-79)

44%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.

The opinions of the critics regarding the replay value of Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden are generally positive. Many critics highlight the multiple endings and impactful choices that affect the gameplay experience, which contribute to the game's replayability. GameGrin, PC Gamer, PC Invasion, Try Hard Guides, Dexerto, GameSkinny, GamesHub, GamingTrend, PlayStation Universe, Push Square, CGMagazine, TheSixthAxis, and TheXboxHub all mention the game's ability to offer different outcomes and encourage players to make their own decisions, increasing replay value. These critics appreciate the depth of the choice system and the narrative-driven gameplay, which provide opportunities for players to explore different paths and storylines. However, there are also some negative aspects mentioned by the critics. But Why Tho?? and PCGamesN note that while the game offers moral decisions and side quests reminiscent of The Witcher 3, the pseudo-moral dilemmas are essentially pre-determined if players want to resurrect Antea, which may limit the overall replayability. GameSkinny also mentions the lack of enemy variety, which could potentially impact the enjoyment of subsequent playthroughs. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden has good replay value. The game's choice-based narrative, impact of player decisions, and multiple possible endings are praised by multiple critics, including PC Invasion, Twinfinite, Dexerto, GameSkinny, GamesHub, GamingTrend, PlayStation Universe, Push Square, CGMagazine, TheSixthAxis, and TheXboxHub. While there are some concerns about the predetermined nature of certain choices and the lack of enemy variety, the overall sentiment is that the game offers enough content and opportunities for players to engage in multiple playthroughs, making it worth revisiting.

TL;DR

replay value

Critics praise Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden for its replay value due to multiple endings, impactful choices, and narrative depth, encouraging players to explore different paths. Despite concerns about pre-determined moral dilemmas and lack of enemy variety, the consensus is that the game offers ample content for multiple playthroughs.

Overall Verdict

CRITIK

OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION

Critik Score

Positive (80-100)

67%

Mixed (50-79)

33%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.

Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden has garnered a mix of positive and negative reviews from critics. The positive aspects of the game highlighted by reviewers include its well-written story, captivating visual design, engaging gameplay, and compelling character development. Critics such as But Why Tho?? and GameGrin praised the game for its gripping narrative and recommended it as a highly enjoyable experience. They found the story to be the best aspect of the game, with GameGrin even considering it a masterpiece. The game's immersive and haunting atmosphere, as mentioned by critics like PC Invasion and GamesHub, further adds to its positive reception. However, there are some negative aspects that critics pointed out about Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden. The combat system was often criticized for being underwhelming, monotonous, and lacking variation, as mentioned by But Why Tho??, Shacknews, and Twinfinite. Some critics, such as PC Games and GamesRadar++, felt that the character development and emotional impact were initially lacking but improved as the game progressed. The lack of standout visuals, unadventurous gameplay, and technical flaws were also mentioned as drawbacks by critics like TheSixthAxis and CGMagazine. Overall, the consensus among critics is that Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden delivers a captivating and immersive experience with its well-written story, engaging gameplay, and compelling character development. Despite its shortcomings in combat and some technical flaws, the game is recommended for players who enjoy narrative-driven experiences, ghost horror, and difficult moral choices. The game's atmospheric consequences and exploration of themes like grief and difficult choices were praised by critics like Digital Trends and PlayStation Universe. The positive aspects of the game outweigh the negatives, making it a worthy recommendation for players seeking a heartfelt and immersive gaming experience.

TL;DR

Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden earns a mix of positive and negative reviews. Critics praise its gripping story, captivating visuals, and character development, recommending it as an enjoyable experience. However, criticisms focus on underwhelming combat, lack of variation, and initial flaws in character development. Despite these drawbacks, the game offers a captivating narrative, immersive atmosphere, and exploration of themes like grief and moral choices. Overall, it's a recommended choice for players seeking a heartfelt and immersive gaming experience.

CRITIK

Reviews

184 reviews found

100

GameGrin

Feb 12, 2024

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden is a highly recommended game with an engaging story, fun gameplay, and well-written content. It is considered a masterpiece.

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CGMagazine

Xbox Series X

Feb 12, 2024

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

A haunting and beautiful RPG with compelling characters and stories

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COGconnected

PlayStation 5

Feb 12, 2024

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden is a splendid experience with an intriguing narrative, beautiful aesthetics, and solid gameplay, despite some minor framerate slowdowns and immersion-breaking game mechanics.

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TheXboxHub

Xbox Series X

Feb 12, 2024

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden is a surprising and well-made game with a fascinating story and world. It has some minor issues, but overall it is highly enjoyable.

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PC Invasion

Feb 12, 2024

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden is a compelling and immersive game with a strong story and a rich choice system. It is recommended for players who enjoy this genre.

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PC Games

Feb 12, 2024

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The game has potential but falls short in terms of character development and emotional impact. However, the story and character development improve as the game progresses.

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GAMES.CH

PlayStation 5

Feb 12, 2024

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The decision system is not pointless and has complex and atmospheric consequences, but it doesn't create significant moral dilemmas. The atmosphere is not negatively affected by the lack of moral consequences.

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GameStar

Feb 12, 2024

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The overall verdict of Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden is positive, with the review praising the story and emotional impact of the game.

GamesHub

PlayStation 5

Feb 12, 2024

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden is a deeply engaging and haunting game that explores grief and difficult choices, with a good mix of gameplay mechanics and a compelling story.

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Try Hard Guides

Feb 12, 2024

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden succeeds in what it sets out to accomplish, offering a fun and engaging game about ghosts haunting colonial America. Fans of The Witcher and ghost horror will enjoy it.

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