Phasmophobia is sweeping the world of gaming, and it’s easy to see why. The latest Steam release from Kinetic Games is frankly terrifying, blending VR technology with humanity’s inherent fear of the unknown. It’s not for everyone, though, and that’s especially true for players sensitive to jump scares. Can you expect spontaneous shrieks and sudden shocks in Phasmophobia, or is this horror experience one that builds suspense over time? As it turns out, it’s a bit of both.
Does Phasmophobia have jump scares?
Yes, Phasmophobia has jump scares. It has a lot of jump scares. That’s kind of the point. After all, why strap on a VR headset and load up a horror game if you don’t expect to be frightened out of the blue?
When it comes to horror-based games, jump scares are pretty much the norm. As such, it’s not surprising to find them in Phasmophobia.
Furthermore, these types of frights aren’t few and far between. You can basically expect to get frightened out of your gourd every few minutes, if not more often than that. Ghosts frequently appear out of nowhere, get right in your face, and disappear into the aether. They also tend to blink rapidly, bum rush your character, and whisper terrifying nothings into your ear before dragging you into the underworld.
Of course, that’s not to say that the game doesn’t present the other kind of horror — you know, the slow-paced, skin-crawling, creeping type of horror. There’s plenty of that to be had, too. Just know that when things get a little too quiet, something is probably going to jump out and frighten you.
Consider this your warning: Phasmophobia has jump scares, and plenty of them. If you don’t want to be suddenly frightened, don’t play it. With that said, if you’re into thrills and you’re already wearing your brown pants, this is the game for you.
