Don't go into Don't Nod’s latest supernatural epic expecting another God of War clone. Honestly, it’s a trap people fall into because of the over-the-shoulder camera and the heavy-hitting axe. But once you actually dig into Banishers Ghosts of New Eden gameplay, you realize the rhythm is totally different. It's weirder. It’s clunkier in some spots, yet way more rewarding once you stop trying to play it like a standard brawler.
You’re controlling two people at once. Sorta.
Red mac Raith is your living, breathing Scotsman with a boomstick and a saber. Antea Duarte is his dead mentor and lover who hits like a spectral truck. The magic happens in the "Switch" mechanic. You aren't just swapping characters for the sake of variety; you are layering damage types. If you hit an enemy with Red’s sword, you’re building up energy. Switch to Antea mid-swing? She unleashes a physical manifestation of that energy. It’s a constant back-and-forth that feels like a dance, provided you don't mind the slightly stiff animations that haunt the early game.
The Haunting Cases Are the Real Core Loop
Most RPGs treat side quests like chores. Go here, kill ten wolves, get a hat. This game doesn't really do that. The "Haunting Cases" are the meat of the experience. They basically dictate how the story ends. You find a person being haunted. You investigate. You find the "tether" (the object the ghost is clinging to). Then, you make a choice.
Do you blame the living person? That means Red kills them to feed Antea’s soul.
Do you ascend the ghost? That lets them move on peacefully.
Or do you banish them? That’s the violent, "get out of here" option.
The genius of Banishers Ghosts of New Eden gameplay is how these choices affect your power level. If you want to resurrect Antea—which is the "bad" ending, technically—you have to murder a lot of settlers. Like, a lot. It creates this gross, fascinating tension where you might actually like a character, but you kill them anyway because you're roleplaying a desperate widower who can't let go. It’s dark.
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Breaking Down the Skill Tree
Don’t look for a traditional leveling system where numbers just go up by 5%. The "Evolution" trees are built around the switch mechanic.
One node might make Red’s fourth light attack trigger an instant Antea punch. Another might make Antea’s "Leap" ability (a teleporting ground pound) refund health to Red. You have to decide if you want a "Glass Cannon" build where you swap every three seconds, or a "Tank" build where Red hides behind Antea’s spectral shields. Most players find that focusing on "Switch" triggers is the only way to survive the higher difficulty tiers. If you play as just Red, you will die. The game is balanced around the idea that one character is always recovering while the other is fighting.
Gear, Loot, and Why Your Rifle Matters
Combat isn't just about swinging steel. Red carries a rifle that acts as a precision tool. It’s slow. The reload feels like it takes a decade when a pack of shadows is lunging at your throat. But it’s essential for hitting "weak points."
Specific enemies, like the "Bonewalkers," have glowing cores. If you snap-aim and hit that core, you do massive spirit damage. This opens them up for a "Banishment" move—basically a cinematic execution.
Equipment Synergies
Instead of finding 50 different swords, you find specific gear pieces that change how your abilities behave. You might find a necklace that boosts damage by 50% but makes you take double damage from ghosts.
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- The Saber and Firehand: Your primary melee tools. Upgrade these at campfires using resources like leather and spectral dust.
- The Rifle: Used for environmental puzzles and long-range picks.
- Decoctions: These are your healing flasks. You only get a few, so you better make them count.
There’s a real "Metroidvania" vibe to the world too. You’ll see a wall of creepy green mist or a bridge blocked by spectral vines. You can't pass them yet. You have to progress the story until Antea learns a new "Manifestation." It’s a classic gear-gate, but it makes the world of New Eden feel like a puzzle you’re slowly unpicking.
The Complexity of Rituals
You can’t just talk to ghosts whenever you want. You have to perform rituals. This involves choosing the right "incense" or "decoction" at a specific site. If you pick the wrong one, you waste resources and summon a bunch of angry spirits instead of the one you actually wanted to talk to.
It adds a layer of "detective work" that feels earned. You read notes, look at the environment, and deduce what kind of ghost you’re dealing with. Is it a lingering memory? A vengeful wraith? A sorrowful shadow? Get it wrong, and the Banishers Ghosts of New Eden gameplay shifts from an investigation to a frantic survival fight.
Why the Combat Can Be Divisive
Let's be real: the movement can feel a bit heavy. Red doesn't zip around like a ninja. He’s a guy in heavy 17th-century clothes carrying a lot of gear. Some people hate this. They find it sluggish. But if you lean into the parry system, it clicks.
Parrying as Red feels crunchy. If you time it perfectly, you can instantly swap to Antea for a counter-attack that clears the room. It’s about momentum. When you lose that momentum, the game feels hard. When you keep it, you feel like an unstoppable exorcist team.
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The enemy variety is also a bit of a sticking point. You’ll fight a lot of the same wolves and basic shadows. The boss fights, however, are where the variety shines. Each boss is tied to a major narrative beat—like the "Beast" in the woods or the "Puppeteer." These fights use the environment in ways the standard mob fights don't. You'll be dodging shockwaves while trying to find a hidden object in the physical world that is keeping the boss immortal in the spirit world.
Managing Your Resources
You’re going to spend a lot of time picking flowers. Sounds boring? It kind of is, until you realize those flowers are what allow you to upgrade your gear so you don't get two-shotted by a boss.
- Gather everything: Iron, lichen, sulfur.
- Rest at campfires: This resets the world and refills your healing, but it also allows you to fast travel.
- Check your "Manifestations": Ensure Antea’s skills are actually complementing Red’s current gear. If your sword buffs "Light Attacks," don't put all your skill points into "Heavy Attacks."
Actionable Next Steps for New Banishers
If you’re just starting your journey in the woods of New Eden, don't rush the main story. You will end up under-leveled and frustrated. Instead, follow these steps to master the systems:
- Prioritize the "Switch" Skills: Look for skills in the tree that trigger "on switch." These are objectively the strongest moves in the game because they allow you to stay aggressive without running out of stamina.
- Don't Fear the Blame: If you want a specific ending, stick to it. The game is designed for you to be "judgemental." Trying to be a "centrist" and being nice to everyone will often leave you with a mediocre ending and less XP.
- Watch the Pulse: Use Red’s "sense" ability constantly. It highlights hidden chests and lore items through walls. This is the primary way you find the materials needed for high-level upgrades.
- Learn the Parry Timing: Practice on the basic "Dregs" (the weakest ghosts). The parry window is actually quite generous, but the punishment for missing is high. Master this early so you don't struggle against the "Elite" enemies later.
The beauty of this game isn't in its polish—it’s in its heart. It’s a double-A game that punches like a triple-A title, offering a deep, mechanical exploration of grief. Once you understand that every swing of the sword is tied to a moral choice, the combat stops being a mechanic and starts being part of the story.