The developer ofLife is StrangeandVampyrannounces thatBanishers: Ghosts of New Edenis its next project during The Game Awards 2022. This year’s awards show was packed full of major announcements, withBanishers: Ghosts of New Edenone of the strangest of the night.Banishers: Ghosts of New Edenis confirmed to be an action-RPG and as even the name implies there appears to be a clear influence fromThe Witcherin the upcoming game.
Don’t Nod is perhaps best known for its action-less narrative adventure games.Life is Strange,Tell Me Why, and most recentlyTwin Mirrorstand out as perhaps its most notable accomplishments. But Don’t Nod also has a long history of branching into action-based experiences. Its first game,Remember Me, helped establish the studio, andVampyr’s supernatural combatendeared it to its audience. Now Don’t Nod is once again partnering with Focus Home Entertainment for its next action-RPG experiment.
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Banishers: Ghosts of New Edenis about two ghost hunters, who also happen to be lovers. The problem is that only one of them appears to be alive. As such, Red mac Raith continues the work of banishing tormented souls with partner Antea Duarte’s supernatural support, as they search for a way to bring Antea back. The result is an adventure full of sword fighting and magic, as well as heartfelt storytelling intermixed with difficult decisions.
Those decisions will also serve a major role mechanically inBanishers: Ghosts of New Eden. According to early details about the action-RPG, depending on what “challenging decisions” players make the story ofBanishers: Ghosts of New Edencan change dramatically. The example provided is having to choose between Red mac Raith’s “ghost-hunting vow” and helping Antea. In this regard, it appears Don’t Nod is pulling on itsLife is Strangeexperience for shifting narratives.
Despite the surprise announcement atThe Game Awards, it seemsBanishers: Ghosts of New Edenisn’t too far off. Focus Home Entertainment says thatBanisherscan be expected in 2023. It’ll be available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S, leaving the past generation of consoles behind. Expect further updates in 2023 for what will likely be a release in the second half of the year.
Don’t Nod’s projects in the past have struggled to bridge the divide between indie/AA projects and the quality of a AAA release. For what it’s worth, theBanishers: Ghosts of New Edentrailer makes it look likeDon’t Nod’s highest-quality game yet. Perhaps that’s a level of expectation Don’t Nod wants for itself now. Hopefully,Banishers: Ghosts of New Edencan deliver.
Banishers: Ghosts of New Edenreleases in 2023 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
