The Banishing Act is an action indie early access title built around online co-op horror investigation on PC. Players take on the role of a Banisher in a world where demons physically manifest and hauntings increase. The core experience centers on identifying threats through evidence and completing a ritual to expel them, with support for one to four players working together in shared sessions.
Gameplay
The loop begins with preparation at the prep table. Players purchase tools and sacramentals to equip for the session. These items support the investigation and ritual phases that follow. Once geared, the group enters a location to search for clues scattered throughout the environment. Clues help determine which objects carry curses and pinpoint the locations of candles needed for the ritual. The final stage requires performing the banishing ritual itself to send the demon back to the abyss. Failure during any phase can result in the demon hunting and eliminating players, adding tension to the cooperative effort. Customization options extend to the base of operations and individual Banisher appearances, allowing players to adjust their setup between sessions.
Game Modes
The primary experience revolves around co-op investigation sessions that scale from solo play to groups of four. Each session follows the structured sequence of gearing up, investigating clues and cursed objects, locating ritual components, and completing the banish. Single-player runs allow the same full loop without teammates, while online co-op emphasizes coordination in identifying evidence and executing the ritual under pressure. No additional named modes appear in the current plans, keeping the focus on repeatable horror investigation rounds that build toward successful banishments.
Customization and Progression
Players can modify their Banisher's look and expand their base through dedicated systems. These options provide ongoing personalization as sessions progress. Tools and sacramentals purchased before each investigation offer variety in how groups approach clue gathering and ritual performance. The early access version includes multiple maps, a range of clues and cursed objects, and core tools to support complete playthroughs of the intended loop.
Current State and Development
The game enters early access in October 2026 as a work in progress from a solo developer. The initial release delivers the full end-to-end gameplay with several maps, clues, cursed objects, and customization features already functional. Planned updates over six to twelve months will add more demons, tools, maps, and options based on community input through polls and feedback channels. The full release aims to expand content significantly while incorporating player suggestions for balance and features.
Is It Worth Playing?
The Banishing Act targets players who enjoy cooperative horror investigation with a clear objective loop of evidence gathering and ritual completion. Its emphasis on teamwork in identifying cursed objects and executing the banish creates focused sessions that reward coordination and attention to detail. With no reviews available ahead of the October 2026 early access launch, reception remains to be seen. The solo development approach and stated commitment to community-driven updates position it as an evolving title suited to those willing to engage with an early version. Fans of small-team co-op horror experiences may find the core mechanics appealing once it becomes available, particularly if they value the investigation and ritual structure over broader open-world elements.