The authentic ghost hunting experience console gamers have been waiting for

Just in time for Halloween, Kinetic Games is bringing one of the best-known exclusive horror games to PC Phasmophobiafor consoles on October 29th. Although it is still in early release at the time of release, it will receive an update on day one to fix bugs, improve visuals, and address other concerns, as is generally expected with these types of releases.

Although this is not a new release, it is no less exciting than the previous one The PC exclusivity prevented many horror fans from getting the chance to experience this mysterious ghost hunting adventure. Given that it will also offer cross-compatibility, PC gamers won’t have to miss out on the new wave of players either.

For those unfamiliar with this 2020 PC-exclusive release, Phasmophobia and a cooperative psychological horror game in which four players gather in one of the game’s many haunted locations to conduct a formal ghost investigation. Unlike many other paranormal horror games where players often fight the entity by escaping from it or hoping to rid the area of ​​it, Phasmophobia it is purely investigative. Players are left with a feeling of helplessness as they desperately work together, mostly defenseless, to try and figure out what is haunting the place before they all fall victim to it.

A truly terrifying ghost hunt

Phasmophobia offers players a scary experience that’s worth every penny

As someone who would consider ghost hunting a dream job, this is as scary and fun as you could hope for. There are 13 maps for players to choose from, including 8 small, 3 medium and 2 large. While the larger maps increase the difficulty, allowing groups to be more spread out and the ghost to be harder to track, the small maps are just as fun, trapping you in a tight space with something hidden knowingly just a few feet away. away from you all the time.

Although the entities give some occasional care when they appear in rooms when you least expect it, Phasmophobia is not a horror game designed around cheap scares. Jumpscares do not appear to be designed to intentionally take advantage of vulnerable players, instead, they are merely a consequence of the ever-present strangeness that players experience as they roam the property. This is only compounded by the helplessness players experience while hunting.

Typically, horror games offer players a way to fight whatever scary creature is lurking around, but in this case, a large part of the disturbing nature of the Phasmophobia it comes from the fact that you don’t have any of that. Players are purely investigative, equipped with tools like EMF readers, thermometers, Spirit Boxes and more to determine what kind of ghost they are looking for, but no weapon. When the spirit decides to go on a hunt, which is as gruesome as it sounds, the player’s only option for safety is to go as far away as possible and, hopefully, go into hiding.

Essentially, for those who prefer their horror experiences a little more similar Dead in daylightwhere things are bloody and intense, this might not be the game for you. However, Phasmophobia evokes a similar feeling of helplessness, as if you were playing as a survivor in DBD. Phasmophobia it’s not graphic, gory, or in your face; instead, it attacks the fear evoked by dark environments, the invisible and small ghostly interactions. Make no mistake though, the ghostly interactions that occur during your most vulnerable state are no less horrific than the other iconic horror games on the market.

Balanced gameplay that welcomes new players

Phasmophobia offers a balance between simplicity and complexity

In addition to the actual content, the The gameplay itself is extremely well done and shows a careful understanding of the world of ghost hunting. The ultimate goal of the party is to determine the type of spirit that haunts the place and, despite having more than 20 possibilities, Phasmophobia offers a method that makes the entire process quite simple. By utilizing your different equipment, you will be able to keep an evidence log where you track any ghostly interactions and begin to narrow down the list of options until there is only one left, at which point you will make your final guess and vacate.

Each ghost has three specific equipment-related evidence encounters, requiring the party to use all available equipment to uncover them. Although some items are more complex than others, This is one of the benefits of cooperative playas items can be delegated based on skill. Phasmophobia also offers a wonderful tutorial that teaches players how to utilize starting equipment, helping to bridge the gap between experienced players and novices. You may still fumble your way through the initial learning curve, but I’d say it adds to the fun as it creates a bit of chaos.

Console gameplay that mirrors the PC version

In addition to some small changes

While most features are the same on console and PC, players may be disappointed to learn that voice recognition is one of the few things that, unfortunately, will not be available. While this doesn’t affect actual voice chat between players, it does mean that certain in-game items can only be used through pre-programmed interactions, rather than allowing you to speak freely to the spirit. While this ruins some of the immersion the PC version has become known for, it feels insignificant in the grand scope of the game.

Overall, it certainly wasn’t enough of a change for the overall experience to feel inferior to PC. Players can still expect the same spooky fun, and new console players don’t have to worry about feeling like they’re missing out. However, PC gamers should keep in mind that although cross-play functionality is available, cross save no. This is not to say that, along with other features mentioned, it will never be available, but as Phasmophobia is still in early release, not available at the moment.

Single-player horror is better found elsewhere

Although offered, single player mode should not be the primary method of play

Although intended to be played cooperatively, Phasmophobia offers a single player option for those who don’t have a group to play with and still want to enjoy the game. The single-player mode works more or less the same in terms of objective and method of play, with the main difference simply being that you are doing everything yourself.. Instead of having a group to delegate, you are responsible for testing all the equipment, making single player mode tedious and chaotic. Plus you lose what you do Phasmophobia so fun: hunting ghosts with friends.

While the single player experience is much scarier, the single player mode should not be used as an alternative way to play as it is much more punishing with your death meaning the mission is over, making it serve longer. as a high difficulty rather than a good alternative game mode. Overall, it’s an excellent mode if you want to challenge yourself or get better at using some equipment, but As for buying this game for single-player, I can’t say I would recommend it. It might be fun at first and not feel like you’re missing out on much, but it will become repetitive and monotonous in a way that will eventually take away from this game’s scary factor.

Final Considerations and Evaluation

A great game by Screen Rant standards

General, Phasmophobia on console is ready to offer players new and old a fantastic ghost hunting experience just in time for the scariest event of the year. The experience itself is comparable to PC, with a few minor changes that don’t affect gameplay enough to be considered a significant downside.. If your group of friends is ready to add Ghostbusters to their resume then this is without a doubt one of the best co-op titles for you to get your hands on, but then again, if you want to prioritize single player then there are better games out there. outside, catering to this type of experience.

Phasmophobia it certainly creates the kind of spooky, hysterical fun that games like this often do, encouraging you to want to come back again and again. No two games are exactly alike, even on the same map with the same type of ghost, which makes it well worth its fair price. Kinetic Games’ decision to open Phasmophobia even the console community is something that has been a long time coming and will undoubtedly more than satisfy those who have been waiting for it.