Summary
Banishers: Ghosts of New Edenis a new action RPG title fromLife is Strangedevelopers Don’t Nod. The title takes the form of a horror-tinged fantasy epic, and follows two Banishers,Red and Antea, as they investigate a series of hauntings in the settlement of New Eden. As they make their way through the settlement’s various regions, they encounter myriad eerie phenomena, leading them to confront the settlement’s prejudicial biases. However, the true focus ofBanishers’ narrative, and its deepest investigation, is the relationship between Red and Antea. WhileBanishersappears to be a sprawling action-adventure title, at its heart lies one of gaming’s most haunting love stories.
Banishers: Ghosts of New Edenopens with Red and Antea arriving at the American settlement of New Eden, which is beset by a terrible haunting. As they investigate New Eden Town, they immediately confront its residents’ biases. Red and Antea’s roles and relationship are called into question, as is their position as Banishers, individuals specialized in the banishment of undead spirits. However, their first night in New Eden does not go to plan, setting the pair on a path that challenges their deepest beliefs about love, grief, and duty.
Red and Antea’s Love Defies Death
On their first night in New Eden,Banishers’ Red and Antea are forced toconfront The Nightmare, the source of the settlement’s overarching curse and various hauntings. In a devastating turn of events, Antea is killed by The Nightmare, and Red is cast from a clifftop into the sea. However, Red miraculously survives, and his immense grief is powerful enough to summon the ghost of Antea back to the realm of the living. A Banisher’s duty is to ensure that the undead move on, rather than siphoning the life essence of those they haunt. With a second chance at a future once again within reach, Red and Antea’s entire worldview is thrown into chaos.
As they journey through New Eden’s various regions, Red and Antea are presented with opportunities to harvest the life essence of guilty settlers, who have caused their own hauntings through malicious acts towards the spirit. What they do is determined by the player, who either pledges an oath to help Antea ascend or to turn their back on the Banishers’ beliefs and sacrifice settlers for their essence. Regardless of choice, the duration ofBanishers’ narrative calls Red and Antea’s choiceinto question. While adherence to their choice allows the couple to grow ever more in love, players know that every moment moves them closer to losing each other, one way or another.
Banishers' Haunting Portrayal of Love Extends to The Nightmare
As Red and Antea journey back toNew Eden Town to confront The Nightmare, they are forced to confront the settlement’s views on religion, sexual orientation, morality, justice, and sacrifice. It is during these confrontations that they learn the story of Deborah Comenius, a woman who was horrifically wronged by the settlement’s biggest leaders, including Kate Newsmith, with whom she shared a secret relationship. However, Deborah was betrayed, out of Kate’s fear of their love, leading her to be abandoned. Eventually, the betrayal leads to Deborah being branded a witch by the Governor of New Eden, who has her put to death. Having been wronged and harboring resentment towards the whole of New Eden, the spirit of Deborah returns as The Nightmare, plunging the settlement into chaos.
Banishers’most haunting aspectis the light it sheds on relationships, and how society treats those who love beyond convention. Red and Antea’s relationship defies love and logic, leading their relationship to one of two harrowing conclusions. However, Deborah was not so lucky, as her partner buckled under the pressures of the time. While Red and Antea’s supernatural love story forms the crux ofBanishers' narrative, the title, as a whole, forces players to confront the haunting reality of its reflected themes. Players can either conclude their journey throughBanishers: Ghosts of New Edenby resurrecting Antea or helping her move on. Regardless, the title offers a chilling look at the relationship between love and loss, one which will haunt the player long after the credits roll.
