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Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden - Before You Buy

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Rating: 4.5; Vote: 2

Hey. And we're back with another episode of, before you buy that show, we give you some straight up gameplay and our first impressions of the latest games releasing as usual. It's me, jake and today we're talking about Bishers, ghosts of New Eden. This is from don't. N the team behind the most recent JanT or JanT life is strange. Remember me, and vampire or Vampir, depending on how you say it for years now, they've been making a nice blend, a nice variety of different games. And me personally, I really enjoyed what they did with vampire. This game has been build by the developers as kind of the air to that game. You know, continuing some of those ideas, something of a similar vein. So, that's why I've kept my eye on this one. Let's just jump in and talk about this adventure. I am a bit mixed on it, but there are some really interesting concepts here. If you like these types of games. And just so, you know, we've been playing a review copy and this footage was captured on PS5 and is spoiler-free. Like if a lot of it looks the same. It's mostly within the early hours, to avoid big story spoilers for you. So, in this game, I'll just set up the very beginning, the back of the box thing. You are a banisher. Well, two bishers, technically, these are kind of ghost hunters. For. Higher in a world where ghosts just exist. They happen after people die, and sometimes they linger and somebody needs to get rid of them. Otherwise, ghosts will just like hang around. And the living can never fully move on from a death plus. The ghosts kind of feed off of the life force of the living. So, bishers are a kind of like ghost-witcher. They come into a town, they solve a mystery about a ghost, haunting someone, and then they banish it. The bishers here are a man, red Mccrae, and woman, antea doerte with him actually being somewhat the apprentice. So, it's kind of a cool dynamic. It's the 1600s, and they travel to the New World America, to solve a very tough ghost mystery. A colleague is dealing with. They head to this place called New Eden. It's a small fictional New England colony. And that's where things really get going. It's not a spoiler here. This is like in the trailer for the game, but Ana is unfortunately killed, meaning you're playing as Red, a companied by her ghost throughout the game. And the game plays with those mechanics. So, not only does this guy have a dead girlfriend, but also, she was like, kind of like the master and he was a little bit of the apprentice. So, you know, there's a, there's a lot to that. And this whole concept from the 1600s to the setting, to the way ghosts are treated. I can't stress enough how cool I personally think this story and setup is. This world has really good ideas. A setting we don't see in a ton of adventure games, and plays with ideas of religion, faith, colonialism, mysticism, love, witchcraft, and it does it super well. This is in big thanks to the two leads, red and Ana being great, strong characters, straight up. It's really interesting, because, of course, they are in love. And that brings a whole dynamic. We don't see in a lot of games, but also, they just do a good job, unfurling them. As the game goes along. You don't totally get their whole life and backstory and motivations right away. Who they are, as individuals, is kind of filled out over a length of time. And it works wonders for making, you actually give a damn about them. That, and the fact that there is just some great voice-acting going on here. The acting from the leads, of course, but even just side-NPcs are all usually Topnotch, and just engaging the problem is the actual gameplay, A good chunk of it. I just didn't really enjoy. And I found it pretty dull. The combat just didn't do it. For me. The idea of swapping between human and ghost-mid-combat is a fun idea. And there are a few abilities you unlock that take advantage of it in some fun ways. But most of the time in momentto moment encounters, it just feels like a bit of a slog. I can't quite put my finger on why though it's responsive enough. It's basically melee, with a quick use gun occasionally. And the game has some challenge, but I still just never really enjoyed it too much. It feels like it's almost going for like a god of war, ragnarok type thing, but with less variety. Like, I feel like it's begging for me to chain together a bunch of cool moves that don't exist in the game. And again, there is a skill tree. And, in it, you unlock abilities for both characters. And there are some ways to change some things and kind of swap between characters quickly. But it's still all just boils down. A lot of the time to switch to the most effective character for the enemy, and mash away at the basic, three or four attack combos over and over again, with a squishy block and parry system. The highlights are usually the boss battles, though cuz, things can be a little bit more difficult, you have to change up your tactics a little more. The lock-on system isn't the greatest, but the bosses are just cool, simple, classic video game style bosses. And this also goes for the optional side quest bosses, you can seek these out in the world and summon them for a tougher optional battle. And usually they're decently fun. And just like a tense time, all the enemies are either big, monstrous things, or they just straight up, remind me of scooby doo, pirate ghosts. And that's not a bad thing. The combat isn't a disaster. It's playable. It's a way to kill things and get through an adventure. But I just wasn't like, totally gripped by it. The other issue is that the game just feels like it gives you a lot of video game, just for the sake of it, just filler. I'd almost rather a shorter, more compact, more interesting thing that is finely tuned and not weird-paced. Here. You have big, beautiful, but empty areas filled with ledges to slowly watch the character cross ropes to slowly climb back up. And of course, just like third person game, slide through a crack in the wall type stuff that really slows down the pace here. Cuz. There's a lot of it, especially because journeying around and exploring these semiopen areas. It just didn't feel rewarding anytime. It was for anything other than story, you know, finding hidden or a secret area that had some loot. None of it really felt worth it because the loot system just isn't exciting. You have a character loot screen for both characters, which is cool, but it's really just that action game, light RPG stuff. You've seen a sword that looks almost the same with slightly better stats. And now, instead of it being a green rarity, it's a purple rarity. There are some that make some creative differences, but most of the time, I just couldn't be too bothered and just upgraded the main stuff I already had, plus the ingredients you're getting for crafting and upgrading stuff just feel just as lifeless and just something to do. You know, something to click on. I didn't really care about looking for any of it, because it didn't matter too much until sometimes. Suddenly it matters too much. And then I ended up needing an ingredient for a summoning circle. And then I needed to go and get it. And then that kills the pace. Again, it's not all bad, like the locations themselves. There is some cool stuff there. Swamps, woods, spookier woods. There's a lot of woods in this game, but it works. And I like games that have good woods. I like games with 1600's locations, spooky graveyards, just like grim towns with depressed NBCs. I love that type of stuff. But, the combat, the loot, and the exploration is a big part of the game. And I found myself just a bit bored of a lot of it. This is, despite those good aspects, I said the woods, the locations, some of the elements, I really just found myself wanting to get to the next story bit. The next investigation, side quest, I wasn't super into the combat. I wasn't really into like exploring. So, like, that is, you know, to some, an indictment on how middling the elements I mentioned are, but it's also a testament to how good the rest of it is that I still enjoyed my time with the game. So, bishers takes an element from vamper or vampire, whatever. That does some good rpg conversation. You know, you spend a lot of time getting to know locals asking them, questions, piecing together the puzzles about like local deaths and ghosts and who's doing, what, and who's doing, who all of it is fascinating. The game has a menu where you can actually track character details, like motivations and stuff. It's pretty simple, but it's a good way of just kind of keeping up to speed. There are a lot of characters in this game, and a lot of clue hunting and conversation, having results in confrontation, where there are decisions to be made. Say, for example, like a wife's husband, like he was away, he went out to work and he died, but the ghost is still hanging around, and she can't move on. She can't grieve properly. Maybe there was some foul play somewhere in the story. So, you figure it all out. Do you banish the ghost for all eternity? Do you accuse the wife of wrongdoing? There are multiple choices to be made. Every time you solve a ghost mystery. And they often just feel thought-provoking, and like, they have some depth. This is thanks to interesting writing. And again, actors just really doing a great job and providing some of the fun or the subtlety required for these things, you know, and I know when this type of stuff is really good, when I don't care too much about the gameplay elements here. Like there is elements I'll talk about in a sec. But I really is, am just like moment-to-moment-npC to npC, really stopping and thinking about the choices and what I say and what I do. And there is also another element of choice here, where you swear an oath to your partner, that gives you more to consider with these decisions that I won't completely spoil. But it goes along with the way Vampir played around, with choosing who to spare, and who to let live, and getting to know everybody. Ultimately, I haven't been able to experiment with this completely, like with multiple playthroughs to really see how differently it can shake out. I did. I did choose the darker of the options, the game kind of makes you commit to doing it one way or the other. Pretty early in the game, but then tries to tempt you to, you know, fall back on. It's kind of complicated. And again, I don't know how much it changes, and I don't want to spoil, where I know it does, but at the very least, it's thought-provoking. And from a technical aspect, I played on PS5 and the further I got in the game, the more I had some frame drops, nothing too bad. But I will say some of my review colleagues did play on PC and had a couple of more issues. So, I'd say some, do some research there before you buy, especially if you're looking into it at launch. These things tend to get iron out, but, you know, sometimes they don't very quickly. So just, you know, take a peek. But for me, playing on ps5, the game looked all right, and it performed decently. Really, this is one for a certain type of player. I tend to fall into this category. I love double a publishers. I like studios around the world that are trying different things, maybe punching a little bit above their weight, trying to tell big stories, trying to do big things. And it justes, it doesn't feel like this incredibly refined thing, but there's some charm in there. If you're looking for like the next god of War, or Like Dark Souls 4, you're not getting that here. But if you like character work, if you like interesting stories, world building, if you like playing a game where you pick up the little scraps of paper or journal entries, and you find the world interesting enough to actually read them. This is the type of game for you. If you like mystery games, if you like NPC dialogue decision driven type games, consider this, again. It is not perfect. It is absolutely flawed, but at the very least banisher, ghost of New Eden is unique. And sometimes, I personally believe that, like a thing that is interesting, tries different things, but makes some mistakes along the way, is still way more fun to talk about, and really check out than something that is, by the numbers. So, for all its faults, all its flaws, I naturally tend to just like be easy on these games, because I tend to like them. Maybe if you're listening, you're that type of player as well. So, hopefully, you get where I'm coming from. But, this is a, before you bu, you know how this goes by. Now, I give you some pros, some cons and some personal opinion. And now, I want to hear yours down in the comments. What are your thoughts on this game? I knew a select group of people were really looking forward to it, U Now, that you've read some reviews, what are you thinking you're still jumping in. Day one. Do you like ghosts? Do you believe in ghosts let's talk about anything. Bishers down in the comments. I want to hear from you guys. You know, you can always find me on social media and Youtube, jak Baldino. But if you like this video, clicking the like button is all you got to do. It really helps us out. And if you're new, consider subscribing, maybe hitting that notification bell, because we put out new videos every single day. But, as always, thanks for watching. We'll see you guys next time. Ready and waiting. That spect has seen a corpse, and it wants it for its own piss off, that bastard.
Date: 2024-02-13

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Comments and reviews: 20

nismobug4076
Jake, I could tell you wanted to love this game from your review, and I think you do an amazing job staying non-biased in all 9f your videos. I especially appreciate how you strongly emphasized all the great environment, story, and voice acting so not to deter us from wanting to see for ourselves. And, of course, I appreciate your take on what you feel hold the game back.
I will certianly be checking it out myself. I fell in love with the trailer immediately
Ever since Mass Effect Andromeda, I've been very hesitant to watch or read any online reviews before i try a game myself. Im not defending Mass Effect: Andromeda, but I felt the overabundance of reviews and criticisms were ruining my ability to have my own objective opinion(and i took a vacation from work just to play it).
Gameranx is about the only review media i watch.
Thank u all for all you do
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Minoujill24
I absolutely love Vampyr! Unfortunately this game had bad reputation because a bunch of influencers. Just like M. E Andromeda and other games. Peoples don't give a chance and hate before a game came out! I got a brand new physical copy of the game for 10$ just 4 months after it came out! This one interrested me too. but i was already waiting for Grandblue and P3 Reload. I think i'm gonna wait a bit for this one! But still interest. It's just than considering than i'm a huge lover of side quest, loot chest, map exploring. it sad me a bit! I'm gonna wait for the price to go down a bit! Because the emptyness could bore me! Thank you! I love critical and honest review! We miss this! Too much YT love to play the critics without giving the strong and bad points! It's like they just love to hate and play the angry fella!
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madworld4489
The first time I played an Batman arkham game, I thought combat in video games was forever revolutionized.
The look and feel of truly interacting with your opponent, the flow, the ability to keep it simple or use acquired abilities to make it dazzle a bit, the feeling you could always do it better next time.
Point being, I'm constantly surprised how few games have emulated anything like the arkham combat system! Ghost of Tsushima is only game I know if that embraced it and of course, it turned out one of my favorite games.
Why do you guys think developers consistently ignore these kinds of steps forward and insist on giving us a 1995 arcade style combat system instead
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hoofhearted4
i really gotta start playing more of these AA type games. I keep not being interested (or being disappointed) but the more hyped AAA stuff, and end up circling back to the same group of games. there's so much out there though thats worth play just for fun. Some of the best games I played were from going to the store, looking at the back of the case, reading the 2 sentence description and the 3 pictures and buying based on that. Maybe its time to get back to that a little bit. stop looking so deep into games and just have fun again. Maybe it's time to circle back to GamePass.
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Patrick-qe3ci
I’ve been interested in this game since it was announced at the 2022 Game Awards. It just looks like the type of game I’ve always dreamt of: a ghost-hunting game! Not zombie slaying or survival horror, but ghost-hunting!
I’ve been getting real strong Plague Tale vibes from it, which is a series I loved.
This is going to be so underrated and so many people are sleeping on this game. But unfortunately, I get the feeling most people won’t play Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden until it’s a free monthly game on PS Plus
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RRrr-dt2vi
Just started the game and so far it’s pretty interesting. It reminds me of the Witcher, hunting ghosts/wraiths etc. the only thing that I’m kinda iffy on is the combat. Attacks feel kinda weightless and slightly clunky. I wish they would have added some rumble or haptic feedback when u strike an enemy. There is also some frame stuttering and a few times my character has gotten stuck on something(playing on ps5.
Haven’t watched the video yet, so he might have commented on these same issues.
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gameranx
While this game seems super cool and I do love a good story with good development and characters, I can’t justify the price when seeing and hearing the combat is just not up to par. It’s something I’m gonna keep my eyes on in case a sale comes round at some point, because I do want to experience the story and immerse myself in this world. Ghosts and banishing them is a really cool concept. I hope this development team keep on experimenting and make interesting stories.
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zuzisam
My worry about this game is that they are the I won't shut up protagonists. Every footage I've seen of this game is just non-stop talking to others or one another, even worse - it's during the combat. I find it strange that no one mentions it in their reviews, while in like Forspoken this was number one concern. So either it's so well done that everyone enjoys it or I don't know, but it's something that stopping me from buying it right now. I'll just wait when it's on sale.
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lotheravanti4295
I used to love their games, then they fell off a progressive cliff with the 2nd installment of Life is Strange onwards(LOVED the first. I just couldn't play their stuff anymore.
This one also looks to be the same. Worse, it seems to have Vampyr's system of you want to be powerful do evil things. I don't like a game punishing me for playing as morally good.
Hard pass. DontNod died a long time ago.
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TheSimonHxC
Something I think people that review games does not take in consideration, at least in this example, if the setting is the 1600, the world will be mostly empty. It makes total sense. You just cannot simply expect to be roaming the world in the 1600 and see a freaking Apple Store or whatever, or an amusement park, you get the point. You’d probably see plenty of wild animals though.
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ALTAIR2472
5: 47 - 7: 23 sounds like a common issue of these games. The world around you feel lifeless, the exploration is not rewarding, and the loot/upgrade system is just. there. Sure, the story might be really good and the atmosphere of the game is enjoyable, but it feels so pointless when a game leans into this direction of trying to look bigger from outside and fails to deliver it.
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nooralhakeem
I think it's a really interesting game, a new thing! . I think they should have worked more on facial expressions especially when the characters speak, and I would love to change Red's pirate sword because it's boring and I didn't feel satisfied when he slashed enemies, like something is missing, but overall this game got great potential and it's worth buying in my opinion.
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J-Sin
I've been super interested in this one ever since the announcement years ago. I was scared it was going to fall flat somehow, just like Vampyr. Now I loved Vampyr, but just like your review, there were a lot of mechanics that fell flat.
Ill still buy it, but may hold off for a price drop I think. Maybe.
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gameranx
Looks okay, but it's obvious it's another slog like others (whose names I have already forgotten) It isn't doing anything new or anything old in a memorable way. It is another bland, DEI infused, cash grab using an engine developed by others hoping to capitalize on the vacuum of higher tier game releases.
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irfanlateef4939
I liked Vampyr a lot except it's combat which eventually led to me dropping it. It seems the same here. It feels like an unpolished copy of a soulslike or GOW type system. I do hope in their next project this studio cracks the combat system because they do everything else well enough.
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JoriDiculous
Banishers: Hypocrite simulator. Protagonist is a Banisher, someone that banish ghosts from the world because ghost are bd, while at the same time hangs around whit his personal gf ghost.
Interesting concept but execution looks boring. Just running around fighting ghosts all the time.
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JA3_J-A3
Vampyr is hands down one of my favorite games of all time. The game play was not the best that's for sure but man the world and setting was one to remember. I am definitely looking forward to play Banishers and dive into all the different choices, dialogue and characters!
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BuddyChy
Great video! Thanks! I was very intrigued by this game, but I’m going to wait on it considering the other games coming out soon that I’m more excited for. FF7 Rebirth, Rose of the Ronin, and Stellar blade over the next 3 months are the top of my list right now.
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Da_Shrooms
Generally, Don't nod is known for storytelling rather than gameplay. I had hoped Jusant was a new chapter for them but maybe not. This might be one of those ones you wait for free with PlayStation plus or Xbox game pass and kind of enjoy it for a weekend.
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malek0093
This game and Don't Nod deserve support. We need more AA and indie singleplayer games, especially since the AAA industry is more interested in churning out more and more shitty live service BS even though 99% of them just end up being massive flops.
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