Phasmophobia, the ghost-hunting co-op horror game, is back. The game already has a reputation for walking the line between bone-chilling fear and chaotic fun, and now PS5 and PSVR2 users can join in on the experience.
In Phasmophobia, players are paranormal investigators tasked with uncovering the identity of a ghost haunting one of several eerie locations. The game begins at a central hub where players choose missions, purchase additional ghost-hunting equipment, and strategize their approach. Tools like UV lights, motion detectors, and spirit boxes assist in gathering evidence, but using them comes with risks—some equipment may agitate the spirits. As players gather paranormal evidence, their sanity diminishes, escalating the danger and eventually triggering a ghost hunt. To survive, players must hide and escape, as a single hit from the spirit means death.
The game’s emphasis on teamwork shines in multiplayer, where players must coordinate their equipment and strategies to collect evidence efficiently. While the game can be played solo, it’s best experienced with friends. Playing alone is certainly scarier, but friends bring out the chaotic fun that makes Phasmophobia special. It’s janky, it’s quiet, and the graphics aren’t groundbreaking, but with the right group, it’s a blast. The scares aren’t overwhelmingly terrifying, but they’re spooky enough—and sharing those moments with friends is what it’s all about, right?
Unfortunately, some jank is expected, but the PSVR2 version of Phasmophobia struggles with immersion due to technical shortcomings. The game runs fine as far as frame rate goes, but there are tons of glitches and low-quality textures. There are tons of jagged edges throughout the environment too. Interactions like opening doors feel clunky, with clipping through objects, and the tools don’t always work. Fortunately, online play runs well, though players will be randomly booted from servers every now and again.
Phasmophobia offers a unique mix of scares and fun, making it a blast with friends despite its flaws. The PSVR2 version struggles with immersion due to technical shortcomings, but it’s still enjoyable for those who don’t take it too seriously. Encouragingly, the game is in better shape now than at launch, with ongoing updates promising further improvements. As an early-access title, there’s plenty of room for growth, making it worth keeping an eye on.
