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Phasmophobia Review

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Down at the bottom is the conclusion and score given to the game! :)

Introduction

Is Phasmophobia worth getting today? Now that we have multiple clones of it that add new mechanics and details, such as Demonologist, there is that burning question of whether the classic experience is valuable. There are some reasons for getting this game and some for letting it pass by, so let's check it out.

Control and Gameplay

One of the things I enjoyed about Phasmophobia is that its ability to mix horror with teamwork makes up for a perfect setup for player-tailored experiences. For example, I played with some friends, and in the spooky house, we found a monkey hand that grants wishes. My friend then wished for his death when the door opened! The ghost proceeded to enter the room and kill that specific player. The possibility of making unique memories makes Phasmophobia appetizing for co-op gamers.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2966492758
The game also has a lot of content to offer, even more so than its competitors. From a vast amount of maps to multiple entities to tackle and items to use, it is a more fleshed-out experience due to having seniority in the field in contrast to new entries of the genre. The title has some characters to choose from but no customization, which is lacking so far.
The gameplay follows a detective walking simulator of sorts; you go into the house and will gather clues to identify what is haunting the building. The controls are as simple as moving and using objects, while there is something that I appreciate from Phasmophobia that its competitors lack: hiding places. In other games, one can close the door or run to another room, but in this game, you can hide in closets and other areas to avoid certain death. It adds that layer of fighting with friends over spots to hide and a way to elude the ghost even without items.


Graphics

The game was tested with an RTX 2060, 36 GB of ram, Intel Core i7-11700K - Core i7 11th Gen Rocket Lake 8-Core 3.6 GHz LGA 1200. The game ran at +70 FPS with no issues.
The game could have better graphics, but it gets the job done. Locations appear haunted, sinister, and abandoned. That sets the mood for the ambiance before the investigation even begins. Most of the horror in Phasmophobia derives from the atmosphere. Maps such as Sunny Meadows are complex and easy to separate from the team. At the same time, Camp Woodwind, while simple, is clever enough to set a vibe of the ghost being right next to you due to its small size.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2966493136
Now the ghost themselves do disappoint me; they are dated and don't look too scary when they show up. Regarding monsters and entity designs, it is obvious the competition outdoes Phasmophobia. I recently played Demonologist, and the spirits in that game are so much better looking and have a distinct look that frightens you, makes you run away, and leave your teammates to perish by themselves. It is details like that one that could sway you from this title to another one.

Sound

The sound is fantastic; players can hear background noises that accentuate the atmosphere of the place with creepy noises. The entities can speak to you if you have a walkie-talkie. They can even communicate their intentions or location by saying they are waiting for you outside the room. In terms of jumpscares, there are none which is a shame because a good jumpscare with sounds could have made for a fantastic experience, but at least players who are not too much into getting spooked out of nowhere will have a good time with Phasmophobia.

Entities and Ghosts

The ghosts each have qualities that make them identifiable and quirks that can make them more volatile when it comes to the hunts. Some entities will only interact when players are separated and alone. At the same time, others are particular about how they approach you before striking. Knowing how they behave and what makes them tick is rewarding. It gives the game more reasons to replay it, to try and figure out the patterns, clues, and paranormal activity that makes the spirit easier to discover.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2966492593

Replayability

Phasmophobia has a lot of content to go through; with over 12 maps and 24 different ghosts, the game has a good amount of replayability. Now if you are more into action games, you might get bored of them due to the nature of the title, investigations take time, and there are periods of inactivity from foes that can result in a bit of walking around doing nothing. However, suppose you are willing to stick around and explore everything it has to offer. In that case, Phasmophobia is a huge game that will give you many hours to enjoy as you explore it.
When starting, it is hard to join lobbies as players dodge LV1 newcomers, so it is worth trying to clear an investigation or two alone or with friends.

Conclusion

Phasmophobia is an excellent game showing that mixing horror with cooperative gameplay doesn't always result in less horror but increases it. The visuals set a fantastic mood that draws you into abandoned locations. Thanks to its controls, content, and perfect entry point for newcomers to horror gaming, it is an easy recommendation.
8/10 GREAT
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