The developer of Life is Strange and Vampyr announces that Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden is its next project during The Game Awards 2022. This year's awards show was packed full of major announcements, with Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden one of the strangest of the night. Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden is confirmed to be an action-RPG and as even the name implies there appears to be a clear influence from The Witcher in 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 recently Twin Mirror stand 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, and Vampyr's supernatural combat endeared it to its audience. Now Don't Nod is once again partnering with Focus Home Entertainment for its next action-RPG experiment.
Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden is 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 in Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden. According to early details about the action-RPG, depending on what "challenging decisions" players make the story of Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden can 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 its Life is Strange experience for shifting narratives.
Despite the surprise announcement at The Game Awards, it seems Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden isn't too far off. Focus Home Entertainment says that Banishers can 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, the Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden trailer makes it look like Don'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 Eden can deliver.
Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden releases in 2023 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
