I returned to Phasmophobia while everyone else was playing Arc Raiders or BF6, and the horror hit has never been better

I write about videogames for a living, and even I can't find the time to play half of what I'd like to, doubly so when it comes to the world of live-service. I often have to leave the games I love by the wayside, and despite enjoying the time I spent with Phasmophobia in late 2020, the following five years came and went without me launching the terrifying, ghost-hunting horror game even once.

I'm a huge horror fan. From linear single-player games like Silent Hill and Crow Country to asynchronous multiplayer games like Dead by Daylight and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, you can be sure I've at least tried it, even if I haven't stuck it out. Naturally, when Phasmophobia was all over Twitch back in 2020, I had to pick it up.

A truly chilling experience, Phasmophobia sends you into a series of haunted maps as a paranormal investigator. Your job is to draw out and identify the ghost type living there, then escape to tell the tale.

Rather than guns or proton beams, you'll bring along ghost-hunting items like EMF readers, spirit boxes, and incense - plus your handy journal - to trigger, spot, and decipher behaviors. All the while, your sanity drains, and there's a high chance the ghost could decide to hunt and kill you. Die, and you lose your gear. Getting in and out as quickly as possible with a limited arsenal and only a vague idea of where to find ghost interactions is therefore a terrifying challenge.

Meanwhile, Phasmophobia is one of the very few games that remains scary even after hours of play. Repeated exposure tends to dull scares, like when a mannequin jumps out at you for the tenth time in Silent Hill, or when you already know a boss is about to turn up in Resident Evil. In Phasmophobia, you can enter the same house with the same gear for the dozenth time and still be filled with dread. There is little to no warning before a ghost appears, and you could survive anything from five minutes to 50.

This sense of fear, this lack of security, is what makes Phasmo truly special and surprisingly long-lasting. Every single match is different. If you do start getting used to it, just whack up the difficulty. Either way, as soon as those lights start to flicker, you're making a mad, panicked dash for the nearest closet.

There is one main downside, and it's the primary reason (aside from too few hours in the day) that I dropped Phasmophobia around launch: I didn't have anyone to play with. Sadly, some aspects are just better with friends, and some maps are almost entirely unplayable without a group. That said, there's still plenty to do as a solo player, as I learned when I returned to check out the annual Crimson Eye event.

Logging in for the first time in five years, Phasmophobia feels like an almost entirely new game. Extra maps arrive regularly, for starters. In fact, another one is on the way soon. There are now 24 ghost types, double the 12 at launch. There are heaps of fresh items to play with, all unlockable across 80 player levels, providing a long-tail progression curve. If you felt there wasn't enough to it in 2020, you'll be pleasantly surprised today. Still in early access, there's still plenty more in the works, too.

I must admit, I'm a sucker for progression and completion anyway. It's embarrassing to admit, but give me a pass or questline to unlock useless cosmetics and I'll complete it, even if I'm no longer enjoying the game. That said, I genuinely believe this progression system - specifically item unlocks - is near-perfect. Starting off, you're limited to the most basic ghost-hunting gear. However, to complete certain challenges, record footage of your ghost, or just make things easier on yourself, you need to level up. Want to take some sanity pills? You'd better reach level 14 first. Upgrade your parabolic microphone? That would be level 32. Need that top-tier thermometer? Level 65.

This isn't a false sense of achievement. Phasmo actually rewards you for your work, giving you something to strive for while changing the way the game feels as you progress. Having more items at your disposal might make your investigation easier in theory, but you can still only carry limited items, and you still have to buy them with cash earned from successful jobs.

Similarly, each job offers bonus quests to complete, such as 'take three unique photos with a camera', or 'capture audio on a sound recorder.' As mentioned, to level up and unlock new items, you need to earn XP. In order to buy those new items, you need cash. These optional quests give you both, meaning they're always worthwhile.

Recently, I was in what felt like a relatively safe, easy match, where I had already deciphered that the ghost was a Raiju. I had DOTs evidence. I had seen my EMF reader hit level 5. I had a recording of ghost orbs. I knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that this was a Raiju. John, the Raiju, no less. However, I still hadn't captured three unique pieces of video footage or three unique photos. Knowing both of these would grant me a considerable amount of extra XP and cash, I was left with a choice: go back into the building with the potentially dangerous John, or get the hell out of dodge. Dying would lose me nearly everything, including half of my hard-earned XP and cash, while getting those additional clips and pics would mean levelling up.

I went for it. Given John's placidity so far, I boldly walked through the front door one last time and called his name. Seconds later, I was dead. This risk/reward element is so enticing, and it adds a surprising level of depth and interactivity. You have to make life-or-death choices under extreme pressure, and you're never quite sure how things might pan out. The only thing you know for sure is that your fate is in your hands.

There are downsides to Phasmo. While it's still great fun as a solo player, you're generally restricted to the smaller, easier maps. Time (and sanity) restraints prevent you from being able to explore the entire prison, for example, before you need to get back to safety. You may not even find the ghost room before your sanity is drained. Similarly, the game is much improved when you use a mic. At first, you might feel a little silly talking to your PC, but you'll soon get the hang of avidly asking the ghost how old it is, where it is, and calling out its name to get its attention.

Aside from the occasional event, there's no missable seasonal content here, which is another huge selling point for me. You're not forced to complete limited-time challenges, make an obligatory return for new seasonal items every three months, or miss out because you have a life outside of the game. You can experience Phasmophobia at your own pace, while a series of permanent challenges and modes gift you an alternative playstyle if you want it.

Sure, I may have returned to Phasmo mainly for its now-complete Crimson Eye Halloween event, which looked fantastic as red rain poured from the sky and demonic markings appeared across the maps. But the core game itself is still better than ever, even if you missed the event. With no season passes to stress over and minimal FOMO, plus the new Nell's Diner map launching November 11, I can't recommend diving into this nightmare enough.