When I first saw this game I had no interest in it. It seemed like "another first person jump scare simulator". But after having a friend convince me to get it, I realize I was passing up on a fantastic title.

This game challenges not only your tolerance of fear, but your sense of sound and other powers of observation. Hearing a door open in the other room, a picture fall off the wall, any little creak and screech is a sign that you're not alone, and that it's time to set up your equipment.

Going in blind, Phasmophobia has a slight learning curve with how the various equipment works and what exactly are you trying to accomplish in the game, but after a little bit of time in game (and on YouTube) I am now convinced playing on the fairly tough "Nightmare" difficulty is the way to go for the full ghost hunting experience. Deducing which ghost you're dealing with based on limited evidence and a few notable characteristics during a high intensity Hunt is where the game shines. Scratching your head on which evidence you need to find next, whether or not you really can see orbs, or who is going to provoke the ghost is the cycle I didn't expect to get stuck on, yet here I am playing most days after downloading.

Grab your bravest (or most squeamish) friends, a flashlight, and some popcorn and prepare for a unique experience you don't get in a typical horror game.