If you’re looking for one of the best VR horror games around then look no further than Phasmophobia. The ghost-hunting experience has been available through Steam Early Access since 2020, garnering a huge fanbase in the process. The only problem has been its PC exclusivity, as developer Kinetic Games continues to improve the game before an official release. Now, thanks to an announcement during the Extended Xbox Games Showcase, the terrifying game is coming to consoles this summer including PlayStation VR 2. If you love horror games you should definitely be excited for Phasmophobia on PSVR 2.
If you have, somehow, managed to miss all the excitement surrounding Phasmophobia this is a game all about investigating paranormal activity. The basic premise is that you’re a paranormal investigator tasked with entering haunted locations to gather as much evidence as possible. You’ve got a range of ghost-hunting equipment at your disposal to facilitate this, but that doesn’t help calm the nerves in the dead of night. Best of all, you don’t need to go alone, as Phasmophobia supports 4-player co-op.
I ain’t afraid of no ghosts
Think of a mashup between Ghostbusters, Poltergeist and Insidious and you’ll be halfway there. You and three friends can investigate ten locations filled with paranormal activity. There are 24 different types of ghosts to record, with that evidence then sold to a ghost removal team.
Rather than outlandish proton packs or other farfetched sci-fi equipment, Phasmophobia employs a variety of real ghost-hunting equipment. Devices such as EMF readers, thermometers and night vision cameras all have to be deployed as you explore each location. And that’s if you want to get your hands dirty. Teamed up with friends, if a member of the party wants to take a step back, they can provide support by monitoring CCTV and motion sensors from the truck.
Phasmophobia is a real team effort – although you can brave it alone if you so wish – and is just the sort of VR game PSVR 2 needs within its first year of release.
Cross-platform ghost hunting
One of the most important aspects of Kinetic Games’ announcement is the cross-platform feature. Phasmophobia will be released for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles, and players have the option to crossplay. That means, for the first time PC VR players will be able to team up with friends on PS5, PSVR 2 and Xbox, a fantastic achievement.
Having standard console support means a potentially huge influx of new players, with VR owners not having to worry about anyone being online.
Utilising VR immersion
As all VR owners will know, playing a horror game in VR is far more intense than on a regular screen. Being surrounded by a haunted mansion as all the creaks and wails whistle through the hallways just can’t be replicated, even with a surround sound system.
PC VR players have loved Phasmophobia since its launch. So it’s likely PSVR 2 owners will enjoy the experience just as much. But PSVR 2 has a lot more features than many PC VR headsets do. Headset haptics, eye tracking and the Sense controllers to name a few.
At present, Kinetic Games has yet to detail whether Phasmophobia on PSVR 2 will make use of any of these. Hopefully, it will, but that might take time considering the release.
When and Where?
As mentioned, Phasmophobia has been in Early Access on Steam for almost three years. The console launch will take place in August 2023, still dubbed as ‘early access’. It might be the case that the full suite of PSVR 2 comes gradually, we’ll have to wait and see.
Even so, XR Source can’t wait to try Phasmophobia on PSVR 2. What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.
