As a seasoned horror enthusiast who’s spent countless nights lurking through the darkest corners of digital worlds, I found myself drawn to the eerie allure of Phasmophobia. Coming into this game with zero prior knowledge, I must admit that I was swiftly swallowed by its terrifying depths.
If you’re someone who thrives on horror, it might seem like there’s been a scarcity of experiences that truly send shivers down the spine. This could be due to recognizing repetitive themes or simply becoming less sensitive over time. Perhaps it’s a growing tolerance towards graphic and disturbing content. However unexpectedly, a game titled “Phasmophobia” by Kinetic Games managed to instill genuine fear within me. It wasn’t just a general tension, but an outright terror triggered by the unfolding events, and I found myself reluctant to re-enter my virtual surroundings after a few eerie supernatural encounters.
Over time, I’ve become aware of the game thanks to numerous Let’s Play videos. It initially appeared on Steam Early Access for PC in 2020, and due to worldwide events, its fame skyrocketed almost instantly. However, it was only with the console release that I had a chance to play it myself and feel the terror directly.
While it’s possible to achieve some tasks and gain limited rewards, the greatest amount of money, useful for purchasing additional gear, comes from finishing all tasks on the list, even those that involve locating a ghost.
In Phasmophobia, you play as a member of a ghost-hunting team tasked with investigating strange occurrences in everyday settings. The job seems straightforward, but it’s actually more complex than it appears. You are equipped with basic tools like a flashlight, UV light, camcorder, thermometers, a pen, and paper, as well as a spirit box that allows you to communicate with the ghost by asking questions. Your objectives might include obtaining an EMF reading from the house, letting your sanity drop to 25%, and escaping while the ghost is active.
Starting with a clear objective, I ventured out alone to explore. Wandering with a flashlight and camera didn’t lead to many findings, but the oppressive quietness amplified the fear. The introduction of an EMF Reader, which detects Electromagnetic Fields, seemed to encourage the spirit’s presence. Lights in the garage flickered, and upon attempting to communicate with a Spirit Box, it felt like a chase ensued. On my final attempt, I examined books that had fallen from a shelf, only to see the entity appear right before me. To put it mildly, after scampering away and peeking back at a light that switched on and off, I retreated with my tail between my legs.
In Phasmophobia, it might seem like things are happening randomly, but there’s actually a definite pattern (or strategy) at play. While you may be tempted to navigate your surroundings using only a flashlight, keep in mind that ghosts react to that. They react to almost everything you do, and sometimes even hiding can save your life. Wandering around in the dark isn’t advisable because it lowers your sanity and increases the chances of a ghost starting a hunt. It’s beneficial to investigate the ghost’s room for information, but, as my first case showed, they have the freedom to move about within the location at will.
Even if you do eke out some objective completions, the most cash – which can be used to buy more equipment – is earned from ticking every item off the list, including identifying the ghost. Depending on the ghost’s type, you’ll need to use different tools to gather evidence, but their traits can provide more than a few hints. A Myling emits more paranormal sounds than the others, and good luck picking up without a parabolic microphone, which only becomes available later on. A Goryo is susceptible to D.O.T.S. but will still appear in plain sight during a hunt.
The multiplayer aspect of this game requires an improvement in its lobby system. Although you can filter matches by language and location, it lacks options to display the game’s difficulty level or the cases being worked on.
When encountering various actions as a novice player without prior experience, the situation can become overwhelming rapidly, especially when unsure about the type of ghost. During a multiplayer game, I assumed I was picking up sounds with the Parabolic Microphone, but it turned out to be a Goryo, which I realized posthumously after my death and my partner’s departure from the map, promptly leading me to exit the lobby as well.
In this scenario, there’s a balance between risk and reward. Do you brave the ghostly presence, accumulating further tasks along the way, or do you cut your losses, promising to return for another battle later? The courage required to press on despite fear is charming. Regardless of your choice, additional income enables you to purchase better gear. You’ll need to grind and progress to acquire these upgrades, but they’re invaluable for higher-tier benefits.
These days, you can quickly find guides or hints to identify each ghost in Phasmophobia, but that’s part of the excitement. Playing solo gives the sensation of a survival horror game that demands extra patience to decipher what you’re up against (and hopefully survive). What makes it even more remarkable is that it avoids jump scares, instead creating an unsettling atmosphere that gradually intensifies. Yes, it might cause some initial frustration with timers, but the fear is worth it because you never know when or how a ghost will attack. Despite its spooky nature, it’s possible to grow less enamored over time due to repeated play, transforming the game into more of a mystery than a struggle for survival.
The cooperative aspect is what makes this game appealing, and although it’s most enjoyable with friends, playing with strangers can still be fun – if you manage to find a suitable match. Unfortunately, the lobby browser could use some improvement in a game primarily designed for cooperation. Although you can filter games by language and region, it doesn’t indicate the difficulty level or cases they are working on. Your best bet is to join a game and hope they don’t kick you for any reason. I would have appreciated an option to find lobbies that either don’t require a microphone or simply want a laid-back experience rather than rushing through a case as quickly as possible.
Despite many games emerging over time that incorporate the mechanics of Phasmophobia, only a handful manage to replicate the intense, unnerving fear it evokes.
Visually speaking, I must commend Phasmophobia for its exceptional design. The game’s levels appear authentically inhabited and maintain a chilling ambiance. Whether you’re exploring a typical house, a campsite, or a school, the layouts seem genuine. In many instances, the absence of music creates an even more eerie environment, as ambient noises take center stage, fully immersing you in the gameplay. This also heightens the sounds that ghosts might make, increasing the suspense. Although it may not revolutionize visual aesthetics, the meticulous care given to the environments, lighting, and shadows is impressive, and it performs admirably on the PS5.
Although many games have emerged with similar concepts as Phasmophobia, few manage to evoke the same intense fear. The gameplay mechanics, which incorporate trial-and-error when investigating ghosts and unpredictable interactions, might not appeal to everyone. Additionally, the lobby browser could use some upgrades. Regardless, if you’re looking for a unique horror gaming experience that stands out among current console offerings, a ghost hunt or two could be worth your time.
This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 5.
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2024-11-01 16:12