What are Haunting Cases in Banishers Ghosts of New Eden? How to Unlock Essence

In the haunted lands of New Eden, Red and Antea come across various mystery-solving quests called Haunting Cases. These are missions around the open world map. Some are obligatory and some optional. So, what are Haunting Cases in Banishers Ghosts of New Eden, and how do you unlock Essence?

Banishers Ghosts of New Eden Haunting Cases and How to Complete Them

Haunting Cases are main and side quests where Red and Antea must solve a specific mystery that’s haunting each settler. You unlock them after the prologue when you reach the Darkwood Camp. Each one involves gathering information and investigating. Some have you follow ghostly tracks by switching to Antea like in Nellie’s case in some you search for missing people with Darkwood’s cook. The point of each one is to figure out why and what kind of specific ghost is haunting the quest-giver.

How Haunting Cases Work in New Eden

Discovering key information fills out slots in your Haunting Cases menu, accessible by pressing the Player menu button. The more information you gather for each NPC involved in the quest, the closer you are to uncovering the intent of the ghost. I found that the quest-givers aren’t always victims and that the ghosts are sometimes the victims. Banishers is a game about moral ambiguity which is important for the finale of each Haunting Case.

Should You Sacrifice Settlers or Banish and Ascend Ghosts?

When you collect sufficient evidence, you can confront the quest-giver. You get a choice to sacrifice that settler or Banish/Ascend the ghost. This is a way to impose punishment or retribution on either the settler(s) of the Haunting Case or their ghost(s). Sacrificing settlers contributes to Antea’s resurrection, while Banishments and Ascensions contribute to her ascension.

Banishing vs. Ascending: What’s the Difference?

If you’re wondering what’s the difference between Banishing and Ascending, the former is a forceful way to exorcise a ghost, while the latter is a more peaceful one. I usually Banish ghosts I deem guilty and Ascend those who are redeemable. Ultimately, Ascending or Banishing has no mechanical consequence, the important choice of Banishers is whether to Sacrifice settlers or not as doing one much more than the other changes the game’s ending.

How to Unlock Essence in Banishers Ghosts of New Eden

Essence is the special skill point you use in the Evolution skill tree to buy new active moves and passives for Antea. Each Manifestation from Leap to Outburst and beyond has its own set of Essence point slots. You get 1 Essence point each time you complete a Haunting Case regardless of whether you sacrificed or Banished/Ascended. Haunting Cases can be both main and side quests as we mentioned so feel free to explore your map and find new ones for extra Essence points.

That concludes my guide on haunting cases in Banishers Ghosts of New Eden and how to get Essence. For more Banishers guides, check out how to get Scourge Accretion and the best skills to take first.