Phasmophobia

About

Phasmophobia is a single player and multiplayer puzzle game with a horror theme. It was developed by Kinetic Games and was released on September 18, 2020. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

4 player online co-op psychological horror

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96%

Audience ScoreBased on 412,763 reviews

gameplay3.6k positive mentions

story487 negative mentions

The humor in 'Phasmophobia' is a standout feature, blending genuine scares with hilarious moments, especially when played with friends.
The atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and chilling qualities, effectively creating a sense of dread and tension throughout gameplay.
The game offers exceptional replayability due to its diverse ghost types, randomized maps, and ongoing updates that introduce new content and challenges.

The graphics receive mixed feedback, with many players criticizing them as outdated or simplistic, often likening them to early 2000s visuals.
The gameplay loop can become repetitive over time, especially as players become familiar with the mechanics and ghost behaviors.
The game has been criticized for its grinding aspect, with many players finding the progression system excessively tedious and time-consuming.

gameplay
11,036 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
62%
5%
The gameplay of "Phasmophobia" is characterized by its cooperative ghost-hunting mechanics, which require players to gather evidence and identify various ghost types while navigating eerie environments. While the game offers a thrilling and immersive experience, many players note that the core gameplay loop can become repetitive over time, especially as they become familiar with the mechanics and ghost behaviors. Despite some technical issues and a steep learning curve for new players, the game's unique mechanics, engaging atmosphere, and regular updates keep it fresh and enjoyable, particularly when played with friends.
- “The variety of ghost types keeps the gameplay fresh and unpredictable, and the thrill of identifying the spirit before it identifies you never gets old.”
- “The gameplay experience is unique and compelling enough, when the ghost chasing system isn't being inconsistent and unfair, to make the game enjoyable.”
- “The gameplay loop is solid, enjoyable, and is a blast with friends.”
- “Gameplay: repetitive and boring after a week or so; lots of times you find yourself getting proof of a ghost just to see, at the end of the round, that the game decided it was another ghost that didn't even give its actual hints to begin with; grindy as hell, even if played in full team... and sometimes the ''better'' tiers of a gadget aren't actually better at all, not to mention that after 5 years there should be much more to play with...”
- “The gameplay loop is shallow.”
- “The gameplay becomes a bit repetitive after a while, and the slow walking/running speed can make it frustrating to get places (let alone run away from the ghost).”
humor
9,975 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in "Phasmophobia" is a standout feature, with players frequently highlighting the game's ability to blend genuine scares with hilarious moments, especially when played with friends. Many reviews emphasize the comedic value of witnessing friends' panicked reactions during ghost hunts, the absurdity of character animations, and the unexpected chaos that ensues from using cursed objects. Overall, the game is described as a chaotic mix of terror and laughter, making it a memorable experience for groups looking to enjoy both horror and humor.
- “I'm not gonna go around and say that this game has amazing graphics or anything, but this game is hella funny.”
- “Funny would play again would eat a cheeseburger while my friend is locked in the building screaming that he whizzed himself. 10/10 funny.”
- “Phasmophobia is one of those games that’s equal parts terrifying and hilarious — depending on who you’re playing with.”
- “One of you is screaming, 'where is the light switch?' while another keeps saying, 'say their name, it’ll be funny.' Spoiler: it’s not funny when the ghost runs at you faster than the Family Guy death pose meme.”
- “Not funny when you play alone >_>”
- “Just scary and not funny at all.”
graphics
4,692 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
56%
7%
The graphics of Phasmophobia receive mixed feedback from players, with many noting that while they are not cutting-edge, they effectively contribute to the game's eerie atmosphere. Some players appreciate the game's unique art style and the immersive sound design, which enhances the horror experience, while others criticize the graphics as outdated or simplistic, often likening them to early 2000s visuals. Overall, the consensus is that the graphics serve their purpose in creating tension and fear, but there is a desire for further improvements and optimizations as the game continues to develop.
- “The graphics are amazing and my PC doesn't even have good specs.”
- “The graphics are great and the sound effects are crazy; I am on edge the whole time.”
- “The graphics are stunning, and it’s fantastic that it supports ultrawide resolutions like 3440x1440p - the immersion is next-level.”
- “While the ghosts and environments look nice, the player visuals are terrible.”
- “The graphics are outdated, the gameplay is monotonous, the ghosts are stupid, and the developers clearly messed up the moment when the game needed to be developed!”
- “The graphics are a poorly coordinated asset flip with the lighting turned to 0.”
atmosphere
4,579 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
44%
1%
The atmosphere in Phasmophobia is widely praised for its immersive and chilling qualities, effectively creating a sense of dread and tension throughout gameplay. Players appreciate the game's reliance on atmospheric horror rather than cheap jump scares, with sound design and environmental details enhancing the eerie experience. Whether playing solo or with friends, the game consistently delivers a unique and spine-tingling atmosphere that keeps players engaged and on edge.
- “What sets it apart is not just the jump scares—but the atmosphere, the teamwork, and the clever use of paranormal investigation tools that make every match feel like a true ghost hunt.”
- “The atmosphere is incredibly immersive — from the flickering lights to the distant ghost whispers, the sound design alone can make your heart race.”
- “The atmosphere is thick with dread, the sound design is bone-chilling, and the jump scares are genuinely effective.”
- “The atmosphere has slipped into routine: you know all the maps by heart, the ghosts are predictable, they scare only beginners.”
- “What’s truly disheartening is the loss of atmosphere — the very thing that once made the game so captivating.”
- “The atmosphere fades, and all that remains is a mechanical loop that quickly wears thin.”
story
4,238 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
79%
11%
The game's story aspect is largely absent, with players noting that there is no overarching narrative or character development. Instead, each mission serves as a standalone ghost-hunting experience, where players gather evidence to identify different types of ghosts in various locations. While some players express a desire for more lore or backstory related to the ghosts and settings, the focus remains on gameplay mechanics and the thrill of the hunt rather than a traditional story.
- “Every mission feels like a cursed internship at a haunted house.”
- “Whether you're creeping through an abandoned prison or hiding in a closet while your teammate gets choked out, every session is a story.”
- “The shared experience of fear, discovery, and failure fosters genuine camaraderie and emergent storytelling.”
- “You can tell the dev lost the plot with the salt item.”
- “Another typical story of an indie dev who got too greedy and doesn't listen to the feedback of its community.”
- “The game became difficult regardless of the difficulty as they took away all the cool fun items and locked them behind levels which, no offense, made no sense; there was no story progression to go along with the upgrades.”
stability
3,476 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
1%
97%
The stability of "Phasmophobia" has been a significant point of contention among players, with many reporting frequent bugs and glitches that disrupt gameplay. While some users find these issues amusing and part of the game's charm, others express frustration over game-breaking problems, particularly with voice chat and ghost behavior. Overall, the game is seen as a fun experience, especially with friends, but its buggy nature remains a notable drawback, especially in its current early access state.
- “No lag, no glitches, and the mechanics allow for gameplay without easy frustration to help anyone seamlessly jump into the game without feeling overwhelmed.”
- “The game runs great, we have had very few problems.”
- “Despite the early access tag, this game has very few bugs and runs great.”
- “This game made me waste so much time because of glitches and didn't work. I tried contacting support but they don't listen!!!!!”
- “I've played this game for years, on and off, and coming back to it to see that VR is still in such a buggy, unoptimized state is really disheartening.”
- “The game is still a buggy mess; photos don't work properly, even after a 'major update' that was supposed to overhaul the photo system.”
replayability
2,123 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
44%
3%
Phasmophobia is widely praised for its exceptional replayability, attributed to its diverse ghost types, randomized maps, and ongoing updates that introduce new content and challenges. Players consistently highlight the game's ability to provide unique experiences in each session, making it a favorite for both casual and dedicated gamers. While some note that replayability may diminish over time, especially for solo players, the cooperative aspect and dynamic gameplay keep many returning for more thrilling ghost-hunting adventures.
- “The variety of maps, ghost types, and equipment gives it endless replayability, especially with all the updates Kinetic Games keeps dropping.”
- “Absolutely great game, tons of replayability, would definitely recommend playing with friends.”
- “Phasmophobia’s replayability is exceptional thanks to its procedural elements and multiple ghost types, each with unique behaviors and weaknesses.”
- “The only drawback is that once you’ve played a lot, replayability can slow down since updates take a while and there are only so many maps and ghosts to work with.”
- “This game is fun for a couple of hours, then becomes redundant and boring with zero replay value.”
- “The game lacks content after a couple of hours of play; the 'scary' part of the game dies and what you're left with is a room-finding simulator.”
grinding
1,610 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
35%
64%
The grinding aspect of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players finding the progression system excessively tedious and time-consuming. Critics highlight that the need to repeatedly play through the same maps to unlock equipment and levels detracts from the overall enjoyment, turning what was once a fun horror experience into a grindy chore. While some players appreciate the challenge and the social aspect when playing with friends, the consensus is that the game has become too focused on grinding, making it less accessible and enjoyable, especially for solo players.
- “Waiting for the horror update to come out might change my review during that time and only if the game was a little bit less grindy it would be nice.”
- “The game is not too grindy, just enjoyable when not solo!”
- “Although the unlock tree was changed in the past, it is not too grindy.”
- “The game has been bogged down with a very slow and tedious progression grind that makes it seem like the developers expect players to keep playing this game year-round like an MMO or team shooter, even though the content pipeline to make this a proper live service game just doesn't exist.”
- “Gameplay: repetitive and boring after a week or so; lots of times you find yourself getting proof of a ghost just to see, at the end of the round, that the game decided it was another ghost that didn't even give its actual hints to begin with; grindy as hell, even if played in full team.”
- “The game is grindy, sure. After a while, it can feel repetitive when you’re just farming cash instead of experimenting with different strategies or enjoying the scares.”
music
1,061 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
81%
5%
The music aspect of the game is primarily centered around the music box, which players find both entertaining and terrifying. While the game lacks a traditional soundtrack, the eerie ambiance and sound effects contribute to a tense atmosphere, enhancing the horror experience. Many players enjoy using the music box as a tool for chaos, often leading to humorous moments as they prank friends or provoke ghosts, making it a memorable part of the gameplay.
- “10/10 — I’ve screamed, I’ve laughed, I’ve betrayed my friends (I love the music box :3), and I’d do it all again, incredible game.”
- “The music box is both a brilliant gameplay mechanic and a chaotic fun machine, making every investigation unpredictable.”
- “Absolutely love how you can play the music box at the door, run out and watch your friends scream in panic.”
- “The soundtrack has nothing to offer; I wish there were some interesting scary music played throughout the game.”
- “The music box is the worst.”
- “There's no music, save for the music box, but there is faint ambiance that plays in every location that makes the experience so much more immersive.”
optimization
996 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
53%
24%
The game's optimization has been a significant point of contention among players, with many expressing frustration over persistent performance issues, particularly in VR. While some users report smooth gameplay on high-end systems, others experience severe stuttering, frame drops, and crashes, especially after recent updates. Overall, the consensus is that the game requires substantial optimization improvements to enhance the experience for a broader range of hardware configurations.
- “The developers are clearly passionate—they’ve kept the game fresh with constant updates that add mechanics, improve performance, and keep the community engaged.”
- “The game's base maps are highly optimized, to the point even the largest map in the game will only lag you a bit on a mid-tier system.”
- “Overall, it's great that it's optimized well enough for me to run than before.”
- “I've played this game for years, on and off, and coming back to it to see that VR is still in such a buggy, unoptimized state is really disheartening.”
- “Objects are oriented strangely in your hand when picked up, momentum when moving objects in the world feels very off, bad stuttering when in the lobby and more complex maps, to the point of motion sickness... it turns this game from a really solid multiplayer VR horror experience to a game with VR as an afterthought that constantly takes you out of the experience with bugs and poor optimization.”
- “The game is so unoptimized that it almost fried my PC just by being in the menu.”
emotional
687 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is a significant highlight, with players frequently expressing feelings of fear, laughter, and genuine emotional responses. Many reviews mention the game's ability to evoke tears, whether from fear during intense ghost encounters or from laughter while playing with friends, creating a unique blend of horror and camaraderie. Overall, the game is described as an emotional rollercoaster that fosters strong connections among players, making it a memorable experience.
- “This game made me want to cry 10/10.”
- “I cried and had a panic attack on call the first time I played this with my friends when whatever creature cornered me into the wall, closed the door so my friends couldn't enter, and turned off the lights.”
- “What makes phasmophobia so emotionally gripping is the way it combines tension, teamwork, and dread to create an atmosphere of constant anxiety that feels real.”
- “I cried.”
- “The emotional moments felt forced and didn't resonate with me.”
- “I expected to feel more connected to the characters, but I just didn't.”
monetization
84 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
36%
60%
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing frustration over intrusive advertisements and concerns about potential microtransactions, which they fear could detract from the game's integrity. While some appreciate the absence of current in-game purchases and see value in supporting the game, others feel that the developers are prioritizing cash grabs over genuine content development. Overall, there is a strong desire among players for the game to maintain its current model without introducing monetization schemes that could undermine the experience.
- “It's being raised to $20 from $14 and honestly that is a super fair price considering how long the devs have been working on it with no crappy microtransactions or paid DLC.”
- “The only game where I want them to add microtransactions so that I can keep supporting it and see how far it reaches and how much content they add.”
- “At the time of this review, the game is still in early access, however it is packed with more content than its competitors and best of all, there are no microtransactions.”
- “They put crap store advertisements in the game update feed so you will see it in your library, and there is no way to disable it in Steam by design.”
- “The bugs that have existed for years are still there, and any potential new content just feels like a quick cash grab.”
- “This game used to be great but has been ruined by the devs' cash grab for their console release.”
character development
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
65%
13%
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the emotional depth and story progression, while others criticize the character designs as clunky and unappealing. Despite the humorous and intentionally awkward character aesthetics, many feel that improvements are needed in both design and customization options. Overall, while the narrative and character arcs show promise, the visual representation leaves much to be desired.
- “It’s been difficult to tell by looking at its trailers, but this is a story-driven first-person adventure game with light puzzling and a surprising amount of emotional depth and character development, and manages to tell a solid story, complete with twists and turns, along the way.”
- “I cannot express enough how impressed I am with Phasmophobia. Even with the janky character designs, I still love everything about this game and I cannot wait for what the future holds with this game and development team.”
- “There are a lot of equipment and character development elements that the game producers can incorporate later, so I can't wait to see what gets added over time.”
- “4 years of development and we still have the same boring character designs and can't create our own.”
- “The character designs and animations are truly horrid and ugly.”
- “First of all, I hope these developers see the absolute carnage that is this game's character design.”