Since Phasmophobia became an overnight hit, many games have tried to replicate its success. Many have failed. There's something special about Kinetic Games' co-op horror hit, and the developer knows it. Not taking anything for granted despite a confirmed movie adaptation from Blumhouse Productions, Kinetic has continued to improve and iterate on the game with numerous updates. The latest includes a rework for the Grafton Farmhouse map, and a brand new location too: Nell's Diner. Dripping with that classic American neon aesthetic and filled with delicious-looking props, is there anywhere better to hunt ghosts?
The contrast between the bright signage and the dark night is impressive, and I can already see shapes forming in the shadows even if I know it's all in my head. Nell's Diner is on the smaller side for Phasmophobia maps, offering 13 unique rooms, with ghosts available in all but two of them. Slightly larger than 6 Tanglewood Drive, Nell's Diner could quickly become an iconic location for players wanting tighter experiences with the same spooky thrills.
As one of the best co-op games of recent years, Phasmophobia has reached the stage where it's eschewing expectations players have formed over countless hours of ghost hunting. For instance, how will you know if there's a ghost present in the walk-in freezer, which is permanently cold?
Kinetic Games also hints at a larger story at play, one that players will have to piece together from environmental clues during their matches. As if tracking ghosts and hiding in cupboards wasn't hard enough. If there's any excuse to take a closer look at those waffles, though, I'll take it.
Kinetic also hints at big plans for Phasmophobia's fifth anniversary, which it's celebrating in September. How has it been five years since Phasmophobia first hit our screens? That's the real scare.
There's no concrete release date for Nell's Diner, but Kinetic Games does say that the Tuscon breakfast bar is "opening soon."
If you want more games based in diners, I've got nothing for you—that list would just be the place from Overcooked and Lego's pixel-perfect recreation of Mos Eisley. But I've got a list of the best horror games like Phasmophobia that might give you a similar scare, or can I tempt you with the best ghost games instead? No, those lists are not identical.
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