Conrad Stevenson's Paranormal P.I.
- February 27, 2022
- D&A Studios
- 39h median play time
Get on Steam"Conrad Stevenson's Paranormal P.I." is a first-person ghost hunting simulation, where you become investigator Conrad and use real-life tools to explore haunted locations. Gather evidence of paranormal activity, uncover the ghosts' pasts, and solve each case to attract more clients in this methodical and patient approach to the paranormal. Each location has its unique haunted history and requires thoughtful investigation to clear the lingering spirits.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Very immersive and entrapping experience.
- Unique approach to ghost hunting with a focus on investigation and lore.
- Great atmosphere and sound design that enhances the horror experience.
- Gameplay can feel slow and repetitive, especially with limited content.
- Some mechanics, like interacting with objects, can be clunky.
- Lack of multiplayer options may limit replayability for some players.
- story288 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 76 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The game's story is a central focus, with each ghost possessing a unique backstory that players can uncover through immersive investigations. Players appreciate the depth and emotional engagement of piecing together these narratives, which often lead to poignant resolutions for the spirits. Unlike more arcade-style ghost hunting games, this title emphasizes a slow-paced, narrative-driven experience that rewards careful exploration and attention to detail.
“Each ghost in the game has their own story and their own means for being released or exorcised.”
“It does story-focused, slow-paced, immersive investigations, and it absolutely nails it.”
“The story behind every ghost, trying to figure out what happened to them and trying to tie in all the factors to get them to show themselves, is amazing. I love it!”
“Went from being terrified to sobbing from heartfelt emotions after finding out the story of a particular ghost, and then aiding said ghost to find its peace and cross over to the other side.”
“Each location has its own unique cast of ghosts that require investigating. When you finally have figured out what has happened to the ghost and what its story is, it is time to help it move on.”
- gameplay210 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 76 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a blend of exploration and puzzle-solving, focusing on a narrative-driven experience rather than high-stakes action. While the mechanics offer a unique approach to ghost hunting, they can be clunky and lack clarity, leading to some frustration during tense moments. Overall, the game provides an immersive atmosphere with engaging lore, though it may feel repetitive and slow-paced for some players.
“I thoroughly enjoy the game for its ultra-realistic approach to paranormal investigation; even after extensive play, the game retains its eerie charm akin to horror games, offering countless hours of immersive gameplay.”
“A very immersive ghost hunting game with exorcisms, this one feels the most realistic in terms of gameplay and I highly recommend you check it out.”
“The gameplay focuses on receiving reports from clients, thoroughly investigating the property using your equipment, and providing a report for the client.”
“Some mechanics, like interacting with objects, don’t always work smoothly, and it can be frustrating when you’re in the middle of a tense moment.”
“It does feel like it draws out the play time unnecessarily in a number of ways, such as the repetitive EVP/contact sessions, the evidence review process, the batteries mechanic, and the limited inventory which makes you take long and boring trips back to the truck in the bigger areas to get more tools.”
“It's genuinely just boring after the 3rd or 4th investigation because it really feels like there is no gameplay sometimes; it's just you cycling through your tools until your character decides he's seen enough.”
- atmosphere138 mentions
- 62 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and eerie qualities, effectively blending tension and storytelling without relying heavily on jump scares. Players appreciate the detailed environments, intriguing backstories of spirits, and the slow buildup of suspense, which creates a genuinely spooky experience. Overall, the game is recognized as a standout in the ghost hunting genre for its focus on atmosphere and realism, making it a compelling choice for fans of atmospheric horror.
“The atmosphere is my favorite part of this game.”
“This game is wonderfully eerie and sets the atmosphere really well without relying on the need for any separate jump scares.”
“A beautiful take on the popular ghost hunting genre that focuses primarily on atmospheric horror as opposed to life-threatening danger, creating a clever blend of realism and fantasy.”
“The slow buildup of activity as you investigate makes it so much scarier when a ghost yells at you out of nowhere and really adds to the eerie atmosphere and tension.”
“Despite there being no real 'danger' in the game, as the ghosts can't kill you, I find there's a lot with the atmosphere and storytelling that can really make the game scary in its own right.”
“The lack of response in general regarding EVP evidence is easily the most infuriating part about this game, but otherwise, the atmosphere is very well done.”
- graphics62 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their outstanding quality, atmospheric design, and detailed environments, often described as "incredible" and "insanely good." However, some players note that the game can be demanding on lower-end hardware, leading to performance issues. Overall, the visuals, particularly the lighting and art style, significantly enhance the immersive experience of ghost hunting.
“The graphics are outstanding and you really feel like you're ghost hunting.”
“Slow, methodical gameplay that captures the more realistic aspects of paranormal investigation, excellent graphics for a small indie dev team, and a compelling story for each of the 29 ghosts in the game makes for one of the best games I've played in a long time.”
“Overall, the game's strengths are in the graphics and lighting, the small details that make the maps feel real, and the spirits themselves - when they show up.”
“Well, it's atmospheric right up until the sound of your computer's fans start cutting through as the game, unless set to the lowest graphics, eats up 99% of your GPU to run.”
“It's very much an indie game with lower quality graphics than Phasmophobia.”
“Performance is amazingly bad for a game with such mediocre visuals; audio ranges from clumsy voice acting for the protagonist to some pretty freaky ghost sounds.”
- grinding26 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 54 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is often described as tedious, with players noting that interactions can feel cumbersome and require specific angles, leading to frustration. While some appreciate the slower pace as a departure from typical fast-paced games, many feel that the mechanics can detract from the overall enjoyment, making the experience feel drawn out. Overall, players suggest that a significant investment of time is needed to fully engage with the game.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“Also interacting with lights is pretty tedious as you have to be viewing the switch a very specific way to interact with it.”
“This issue makes both devices tedious to use and operate fundamentally the same on a gameplay level.”
- optimization22 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is widely criticized, with many users reporting poor performance, especially on less powerful hardware, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences. While some appreciate the visuals and smooth running on capable systems, the overall consensus is that significant optimization is needed, particularly for early access, to enhance frame rates and stability. Many players express hope for future updates to address these issues.
“Needs a bit of optimization, but it's early access, and I'm excited to see what further updates and patches bring in!”
“I look forward to when I can keep a frame rate above 25, either through game optimization, or I upgrade to less of a potato.”
“It looks good, runs smoothly, and I like the slow burn of the investigations.”
“It's not optimized for less powerful hardware which is a shame, because this game looks like so much fun.”
“I look forward to when I can keep a frame rate above 25ish, either through game optimization, or I upgrade to less of a potato.”
“This game barely works, and is unoptimized as hell. 53 minutes wasted just to hear some little girl laugh for half a second, then miss the entire thing by the time I pulled out the EVP. Don't buy this game unless it's more completed in the future.”
- replayability22 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 73 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag; while it offers a unique and lore-rich experience that some players find engaging, many feel it lacks the random generation and variability that enhance replay value. Although it has potential for replayability through planned new maps and completed cases, the scripted nature and focus on storytelling may limit its long-term appeal compared to more dynamic titles like Phasmophobia. Overall, players appreciate the depth of the experience but desire more variability to boost replayability.
“It's potential and replayability is almost limitless.”
“Despite how focused the game is on uncovering the ghosts' histories, it still has so much replayability.”
“There is also replayability with the completed cases.”
“I don't think it has much replay value.”
“This game sacrificed replayability for creativity and more horror.”
“It has more story and lore, but maybe a little less replayability.”
- humor12 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by its clever writing and character interactions, particularly with Conrad, whose reactions to ghosts are described as hilarious. The voice acting adds to the comedic effect, enhancing the overall experience, although some elements, like the laughing little girl, received mixed reactions. Overall, the humor effectively balances the game's fear factor.
“Whoever took that floor plan layout of the home that has a bathroom door open directly into the top of the stairs made me laugh.”
“There are some hilarious lines and I really like Conrad as a character.”
“It is actually hilarious how he reacts to ghosts.”
- stability10 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 80 % negative mentions
The game exhibits some stability issues, with users noting it is not completely bug-free and still requires further refinement. While it generally runs well, minor glitches persist, particularly in the early access phase, leading to mixed feelings about recommending it. Overall, players appreciate the concept but acknowledge the need for improvements.
“The game is not completely bug-free, but runs well enough.”
“To be honest, I am not sure if I recommend this game to others or not yet... I like the idea of the game, but it's definitely buggy.”
“The downsides are the game still needs some work, can be buggy, and the narrator is an annoying chatterbox.”
“While the endgame isn't set in stone yet (as of this writing, it's still in early access) and there are a couple of minor glitches, it's still a fun scare-filled quest through various locations with ghosts, demons, and... something in the woods.”
- emotional6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players experience a profound emotional journey, transitioning from fear to deep empathy as they uncover the backstories of ghosts and help them find peace. The touching mechanic of aiding spirits, coupled with detailed mission reports that provide closure to families, enhances the overall emotional impact of the game.
“Went from being terrified to sobbing from heartfelt emotions after discovering the story of a particular ghost, and then aiding that ghost to find its peace and cross over to the other side.”
“Finding out what happened to them and being able to release them is such a cool and touching mechanic.”
“After each job, you receive a detailed mission report, and it feels much more wholesome to be able to provide feedback to the worried families or homeowners.”
- music4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The music in the game is described as minimal yet effective, contributing to a tense atmosphere that keeps players on edge. However, some users found the musical sound effects initially confusing, struggling to distinguish between the game's elements and the ghostly sounds.
“The lighting, the sound design, and the minimal but effective use of music create a tension that keeps you on edge.”
“At first, the musical sound effects just confused me as I wasn't sure what was ghost and what wasn't.”
- monetization4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization approach of the game is positively received, with users noting that it is not a cash grab and that the developer actively provides content, updates, and listens to community feedback, indicating a commitment to long-term support rather than abandonment.
“The care that goes into the game is not indicative of a cash grab early access scheme or a game likely to become abandon-ware.”
