Phasmophobia Console Early Access Release Date Confirmed on October 29, but with a Slight Drawback

Since its original PC launch in 2020, Phasmophobia has garnered a massive fanbase of aspiring ghost hunters and earned a place as one of the most beloved horror titles of the last decade. Now, after four years, the Phasmophobia console release is on the horizon, as this cooperative paranormal horror game is arriving on PlayStation 5, PS VR2, and Xbox Series X/S on October 29.

Key Release Details:

• Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation VR2.
• Launch Date: October 29, 2024.
• Price: $19.99 across all platforms (PC included).
• Early Access: The game is entering early access on consoles.
• Crossplay: Available across all platforms, including Steam.

Ghost Hunters, we've got some big news for you. #Phasmophobia Early Access will be launching on PS5, PSVR2 and Xbox Series X/S on October 29, 2024. Wishlist now.

💙 PlayStation: https://t.co/6FDwgqW5uu
💚 Xbox: https://t.co/tNQgLgsGKz pic.twitter.com/Sajl5kYj7M

— Phasmophobia (@PlayPhasmo) October 17, 2024

However, despite the exciting bonuses included in the Phasmophobia console release, like a Halloween event, there is a slight drawback. Here’s what you need to know about Phasmophobia console release:

Phasmophobia’s Phenomenal Rise to Fame

For context, Phasmophobia took the gaming world by storm upon its initial release, quickly becoming a hit among Twitch streamers and YouTubers. The game’s unique blend of multiplayer co-op and paranormal investigation resonated with fans, gaining widespread popularity.

Congrats to @AnimalCrossing, @FallGuysGame, and #Phasmophobia by @KineticGame on their big wins at #TheGameAwards! pic.twitter.com/YZ4vy0pBnK

— The Game Awards (@thegameawards) December 10, 2020

Since then, Phasmophobia has sold over 20 million copies globally and received the Best Debut Game award at The Game Awards 2020. Players are tasked with exploring haunted locations, using an array of ghost-hunting tools to identify the spirits that lurk within. The eerie atmosphere and unpredictability of ghost encounters have made Phasmophobia a standout in the horror genre.

Phasmophobia Console Release Details

As mentioned above, Phasmophobia console release will launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S in early access, retailing for $19.99 on October 29. Besides the release date and price, the Phasmophobia console release will bring:

1. Visual and Performance Enhancements:
   • Phasmophobia will support 4K visuals and run at 60 FPS on Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5.
   • On PS5, the game will utilise the DualSense controller’s haptic feedback, adding an immersive touch to the ghost-hunting experience.
2. VR Support:
   • PlayStation VR2 players can expect an enhanced horror experience in virtual reality, though the release will be released later due to technical challenges. The redesigned Maple Lodge Campsite map has been optimised specifically for VR compatibility.
3. Crossplay Across Platforms:
   • Console players can team up with PC players from the start. This crossplay feature ensures that Phasmophobia maintains its cooperative experience regardless of platform.
   • You can also transfer your progress from the PC version if you switch to consoles.
4. Trophy Support:
   • On PlayStation 5, players can expect trophy support, adding another layer of challenge as you complete your ghost-hunting tasks.
5. Community Goals:
   • Phasmophobia console will introduce a brand-new Community Goals system. These are cooperative tasks where players across all platforms must work together to unlock features and rewards. For example, the first community event involves taking photos of Blood Moon totems to unlock permanent changes in the game, like powering up the ghosts.

Halloween Event: “The Bloodmoon”

In addition to the console launch, Phasmophobia players can look forward to this year’s Halloween event, titled “The Bloodmoon.” Beginning on October 28 for PC and October 29 for console players, this event will introduce unique challenges across several haunted locations, including Point Hope, Edgefield, Willow, and Grafton Farmhouse.

In a first for Phasmophobia, the game will implement community-wide goals, encouraging players to collaborate in unlocking collective rewards. The event will end on November 13, giving fans plenty of time to immerse themselves in the spooky season.

Phasmophobia Console Release Drawback and Future Updates

However, one crucial part missing in the Phasmophobia console release is voice recognition support. For context, on PC, players can ask the ghosts questions via the spirit box and receive responses based on their speech. Unfortunately, console players won’t have voice recognition support at launch as they will be limited to pre-programmed questions.

Fortunately, Kinetic Games has announced future plans to remedy the problem with further updates planned for the near future. These include potential tweaks to the Sanity mechanic, reworking how ghosts behave, and enhancing the Prestige system to offer players more options.

The developers have hinted at the possibility of ghost possessions as a future feature, though they remain tight-lipped about its implementation. One thing is not in doubt: the developers are committed to keeping the gameplay focused on the sense of helplessness when facing supernatural threats, with no combat mechanics added.

Parting Notes

While many highly anticipated a Phasmophobia console release, it didn’t come without challenges. The console version was delayed several times due to unforeseen issues, including a fire incident at Kinetic Games’ office and unexpected development setbacks. Originally scheduled for August, the launch was pushed to October to ensure the game meets player expectations.

Despite these delays, Kinetic Games has been transparent with its fans and worked diligently to bring Phasmophobia to consoles in time for the Halloween season. The game’s release marks a massive milestone for the studio and the growing Phasmophobia community.

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