Summary
The horror video game landscape is looking better than it ever has before. TheResident Evilfranchiseis back up to full strength, delivering excellent remakes and mainline entries consistently.Silent Hilllooks as though it’s ready to make a comeback. And 2024 already has an impressive line-up of innovative new horror titles just waiting to be unleashed on the world. And that’s not even mentioning the impressive multiplayer horror titles that have managed to stay afloat for years now, titles likePhasmophobia.
Released in early access back in 2020,Phasmophobiatook over the horror video game scene for quite a while, with its intense co-op paranormal investigation gameplay being a joy to both play and watch. But whilePhasmophobiahas continued to receive updates over the last few years, many fans are now ready to move onto something new, but something that still scratches that same co-op horror itch, and March 5 might bring fans exactly that.
Phasmophobia Fans Should Be Excited for The Outlast Trials' Upcoming Release
The Outlast Trials Offers Another Horrifying Co-Op Experience
Set for a full release on both PC and consoles on June 12, 2025,The Outlast Trialsis the third installment in theOutlastseries, a franchise that’s widely believed to be home to some ofthe scariest video games ever made. Taking the series in a few new directions,The Outlast Trialsserves as a prequel to the first two entries, taking place during the Cold War, and throwing players into a bunker filled with all manner of horrifying experiments, mutants, and morbid tests.
Much likePhasmophobia, the main hook ofThe Outlast Trialsis itsfour-player co-op gameplay. WhilePhasmophobiasees players attempt to identify a specific type of ghost,The Outlast Trialshas players making their way through an underground facility, avoiding monsters, and completing certain sets of tasks. Something thatPhasmophobiaandOutlast Trialsshare is the importance of items. While the former requires players to use walkie-talkies to maintain contact with one another, and items like incense and crucifixes to complete side objectives, the latter relies heavily on the player’s night-vision goggles, along with healing consumables and items like lockpicks.
The Outlast Trials Offers Some Real Depth in its Gameplay
One big difference betweenPhasmophobiaandThe Outlast Trials' co-op gameplayis the latter’s class system. InPhasmophobia, every member of the team is given the same resources at the start of a game, and all players have the same abilities. InThe Outlast Trials, each player chooses one of four distinct classes. Called “Rigs,” these classes grant players unique powers, ranging from the ability to emit a healing gas around the player to the ability to see through walls and even stun enemies.
These Rigs can be upgraded throughout the game with the resources that players find oneachOutlast Trialsrun, granting various bonuses such as an increased area of effect or a decreased cooldown.The Outlast Trialsalso grants players a skill tree in the form of “Prescriptions,” where upgrades range from new abilities such as being able to throw a bottle to escape a Pouncer’s grasp, to simple stat boosts like increased night-vision battery life. WhilePhasmophobia’s gameplay has plenty of nuances, its progression systems have needed a refresh for a while now, and it’s something thatThe Outlast Trialsis offering.
Phasmophobia
WHERE TO PLAY
Phasmophobia is a 4-player, online co-op, psychological horror game. You and your team of paranormal investigators will enter haunted locations filled with paranormal activity and try to gather as much evidence as you can. Use your ghost-hunting equipment to find and record evidence to sell on to a ghost removal team.Immersive Experience:Realistic graphics and sounds as well as a minimal user interface ensure a totally immersive experience that will keep you on your toes.Unique Ghosts:Identify over 20 different ghost types, each with unique traits, personalities, and abilities to make each investigation feel different from the last.Equipment:Use well-known ghost-hunting equipment such as EMF Readers, Spirit Boxes, Thermometers, and Night Vision Cameras to find clues and gather as much paranormal evidence as you can. Find Cursed Possessions that grant information or abilities in exchange for your sanity.Full Voice Recognition:The Ghosts are listening! Use your actual voice to interact with the Ghosts through Ouija Boards and EVP Sessions using a Spirit Box.Locations:Choose from over 10 different haunted locations, each with unique twists, hiding spots, and layouts.Game Modes:With 5 default difficulties and hand crafted weekly challenges, there are plenty of ways to test your skills.Teamwork:Dive in head first, get your hands dirty searching for evidence while fighting for your life. If you’re not feeling up to the task, play it safe and support your team from the truck by monitoring the investigation with CCTV and motion sensors.Custom Difficulty:Create your own games to tailor the difficulty to your or your group’s needs, with proportional rewards and come up with crazy game modes of your own!Co-operate:Play alongside your friends with up to 4 players in this co-op horror where teamwork is key to your success.Play together:Phasmophobia supports all players together, play with your friends with any combination of input types.
