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Just in time for Halloween, Kinetic Games is bringing one of the most well-known PC-exclusive horror games,Phasmophobia, to consoles on October 29. Although it will still be in early release at the time of launch, it will receive a day-one update to patch bugs, improve visuals, and address other concerns as is generally expected with these types of launches.
While this isn’t a new release, it’s no less exciting as the previousPC exclusivity has barred many horror fans from having the chance to experience this eerie ghost-hunting adventure. Given that it will also offer cross-compatibility, PC players won’t have to miss out on the new wave of players either.
Phasmophobia
For those previously unfamiliar with this 2020 PC-exclusive release,Phasmophobiaisa co-op psychological horror game in which four players get together at one of the game’s many haunted locations to conduct a formal ghost investigation. Unlike manyother paranormal horror gameswhere players are often fighting the entity, escaping it, or hoping to rid the area of it,Phasmophobiais purely investigative. Players are left with a feeling of helplessness as they desperately work together, mostly defenseless, to try to uncover what’s haunting the location before they all become victims of it.
A Truly Terrifying Ghost Hunt
Phasmophobia Offers Players A Haunting Experience That’s Worth Every Penny
As someone who would consider ghost hunting a dream job, this is every bit as creepy and fun as you could have hoped for.There are 13 maps for players to choose from, including 8 small, 3 medium, and 2 large. While the larger maps do add to the difficulty, allowing for parties to be more spread out and the ghost to be harder to track down, the small maps are just as enjoyable, locking you into a tight space with something knowingly lurking just a few feet away from you at all times.
Phasmophobia Is Finally Coming To Consoles (With Both Good News & Bad)
The indie ghost-hunting horror game Phasmophobia is arriving on consoles just in time for Halloween with both good and bad news for fans.
Although the entities do give the occasional jumpscare as they pop up in rooms when you’re least expecting,Phasmophobiaisn’t a horror game designed around cheap scares. The jumpscares don’t feel as though they’re designed to intentionally take advantage of vulnerable players,rather they are just a consequence of the ever-present eeriness players are experiencing as they wander through the property. This is only further compounded by the helplessness players experience while they’re on the hunt.
Typically, horror games offer players a way to fight back against whatever creepy creature lurks about, but in this case, a large portion of the unsettling nature ofPhasmophobiacomes from the fact that you have none of that. Players are purely investigative,equipped with tools like EMF readers, Thermometers, Spirit Boxes, and moreto determine what type of ghost they’re looking for, but no weapons whatsoever. When the spirit decides to enter into a hunt, which is about as horrifying as it sounds, a player’s only option for safety is to get as far away as possible and hopefully into a hiding place.
Essentially, for those who prefer their horror experiences a little bit more likeDead By Daylight, where things are gory and intense, this may not be the game for you. However,Phasmophobiadoes evoke asimilar feeling of helplessnessas if you’re playing as a survivor inDBD.Phasmophobiais not graphic, gory, or in your face, instead, it preys on the fear evoked by dark surroundings,the unseen, and small ghostly interactions. However, don’t be mistaken, the ghostly interactions that occur during your most vulnerable state are no less horrifying than the other iconic horror games on the market.
Balanced Gameplay That Welcomes New Players
Phasmophobia Offers A Balance Of Simplicity & Complexity
Aside from the actual content, thegameplay itself is extremely well done and shows a careful understanding of the ghost-hunting world. The ultimate goal of the party is to determine the type of spirit haunting the location and, despite having over 20 possibilities,Phasmophobiaoffers a method that makes the whole process rather simple. As you utilize your different equipment, you will be able to keep a log of evidence where you track any ghostly interactions and begin to narrow down the list of options until only one remains, at which time you make your final guess and vacate.
How Demonologist’s Co-Op Horror Gameplay Compares To Phasmophobia
Both Phasmophobia and Demonologist are co-op horror video games about investigating and surviving haunted houses. Their gameplay, however, differs.
Each ghost has three specific equipment-related evidence encounters, requiring the team to use the full scope of their available equipment to discover them. While some items are more complex than others,this is one of the benefits of co-op gameplay, as items can be delegated based on skill.Phasmophobiaalso provides a wonderful tutorial that does a great job of teaching players how to utilize the starting equipment, helping bridge the gap between experienced players and newcomers. You may still fumble around as you go through the initial learning curve, but I’d argue that it adds to the enjoyment as it creates a bit of chaos.
Console Gameplay That Mirrors That Of The PC Version
Aside From Some Minor Changes
While the majority of features will be the same on the console as on PC, players may be disappointed to learn thatvoice recognition is one of the few things that, unfortunately, won’t be available. While this doesn’t affect the actual voice chat between players, it does mean that certain items in the game can only be used through pre-programmed interactions, rather than allowing you to speak freely to the spirit. Though it does ruin some of the immersion that the PC version has become known for, it does feel minor in the grand scope of the game.
Overall, it certainly wasn’t enough of a change that the overall experience felt less than PC. Players can still expect all the same spooky enjoyment, and new console players needn’t worry about feeling as though they’re missing out. However, PC players should keep in mind that whilecrossplay functionality will be available,cross-save will not. That’s not to say that it, alongside other mentioned features, won’t ever be available, but asPhasmophobiais still in early release, it isn’t available at this time.
Single-Player Horror Is Better Found Elsewhere
Though Offered, Single-Player Should Not Be The Primary Method Of Gameplay
Though intended to be played co-op,Phasmophobiadoes offer a single-player option for those who don’t have a group to play with and still want to enjoy the game.Single-player operates more or less the same when it comes to the objective and method of gameplay, with the main difference simply being that you are doing it all yourself. Rather than having a party to delegate to, you are responsible for testing all the equipment, making single-player both tedious and chaotic. Furthermore, you miss out on what makesPhasmophobiaso enjoyable: ghost hunting with friends.
Though the single-player experience is by far scarier, single-player shouldn’t be used as an alternative way to play, as it is far more punishing with your death, ultimately meaning the mission is over, making it serve as more of an elevated difficulty rather than a good alternative game mode. Overall, it’s a fine mode if you’re looking to challenge yourself or get better at utilizing some of the equipment, butas for purchasing this game for the single-player mode, I can’t say I’d recommend it. It may be enjoyable at first and not seem like you’re missing out on much, but it will become repetitive and monotonous in a way that eventually kills the scare factor of this game.
Final Thoughts & Rating
A Great Game By Screen Rant Standards
Overall,Phasmophobiaon console is ready to offer new and returning players a fantastic ghost-hunting experience just in time for the spookiest event of the year.The experience itself is comparable to PC, with a few minor changes that don’t impact the gameplay enough to be considered a significant drawback. If your friend group is ready to add ghostbusting to the resume, then this is arguably one of the best co-op titles to get your hands on, but again, if you’re hoping to prioritize single-player, then there are better games out there catering to that type of experience.
Phasmophobiaundoubtedly creates the kind of scary, hysterical enjoyment that games like this one so often do, encouraging you to want to return over and over. No two games are exactly alike, even on the same map with the same type of ghost, making this more than worth its fair price point. Kinetic Games’ decision to openPhasmophobiaup to the console community is something that has been a long time coming and is undoubtedly going to more than satisfy those who have been waiting for it.
Reviewed on PS5
A Phasmophobia code was provided toScreen Rantfor the purpose of this review.
