Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Ghost Hunter? — Phasmophobia Review
Horror games are tough to be objective on, because the player will always have a different experience based on how much they like horror, or how much experience they have with it. What turns a lot of people off with horror games is having to experience it alone. Luckily, Phasmophobia allows the player to play with a team of four, either in public or private lobbies with their friends. You and your team can go to several different locations to try to figure out what type of ghost is haunting there.
Phasmophobia recognizes your voice, which means the game is always listening to what you say. Saying the ghost’s name will anger it, and will cause it to attack more frequently. But you can also ask it certain questions using the Spirit Box, which depending on the ghost, will talk back to you. This is a chilling experience the first time you encounter it. Asking the ghost “where are you?” to be met with a monotone “behind” is always scary though! You can also ask less intimidating questions, such as if it’s a boy or girl, young or old. You can also ask if it wants you to leave, or what it wants to do to you in order to gauge how likely it is to attack you. The spirit box, as well as other items such as a thermometer, EMF Reader, Ghost Writing Book, and UV flashlight are just some of the items you’ll use to try to discover what kind of ghost you’re dealing with.
I, personally, have no experience with horror because I scare easily. However, Phasmophobia is so well thought out and designed that it’s almost criminal to not play it. You unlock all of the games content at level 15. I am level 43. Ghost hunting is fun, but it also does take a mental toll on you. Ghosts can appear right in front of you and quickly vanish with a ghastly breath in your ear. Ghosts will enter hunting phase, and will follow the player if they run away. Some ghosts are faster than you, so you better find a good hiding spot before it gets to you!
The biggest choice you need to make is how to manage your in game sanity. Yes, your real life sanity matters too, but this mechanic is the biggest factor in how likely you are to survive. Players with low sanity will have more interactions with the ghost, and lights will flicker only for that player. If you really want to encounter the ghost, to either get a picture of it, or just for the thrill, you can let your sanity melt away and keep shouting the ghost’s name. Sooner or later, your flashlight will start to flicker, which means the ghost is in hunting phase. If it catches you, gross hands will appear on your screen and it’s game over for you.
Everything that this game does is so well thought out. If a room is freezing, you can see your breath. If you ask the ghost for a sign, it can flash the lights, or appear in the room with you. Ghosts can be disruptive and throw objects off of tables and shelves to scare you. It never gets old because each experience is unique. You can never predict everything the ghost will do, or what they people you’re playing with will do. Sometimes your crew mates will run into the house and shout the ghosts name the entire time. Sometimes, they won’t ever try to talk to the ghost.
Needless to say, ghosts are scary. Phasmophobia capitalizes on audio and visual queues to prevent the player from getting comfortable by always keeping them on their toes. Even if you hate horror, I still feel like everyone needs to give this game a try. Playing with your friends, in front of a crowd, or even alone in a dark room will be fun. One location will always play differently, and you have a lot of control over how to make things different each time. Outside of difficulty, playing with more or less caution around the ghost can drastically alter your experience every time out.
Yes, ghosts are scary. But Halloween is right around the corner! Do yourself a favor. Play Phasmophobia.
