Phasmophobia (2020)

Phasmophobia was exactly what I needed in covid quarantine—a chance to prove myself after avoiding horror games my entire life. The co-op horror title from indie studio Kinetic Games takes the TV ghost hunter formula and brilliantly applies it to a game, one in which you and your squad of amateur hunters try to discover and banish a ghost from a domicile (before the specter drags you into the realm of the undead, of course). Phasmophobia isn’t going to blow you away with its graphics or gross you out with gore—this is about tension, about dragging out unease until you feel you’ll go mad, about being very careful what you say (because the game uses voice detection), lest you end up dead.

But Phasmophobia’s unique setup also makes for moments of hilarity that punctuate the fear—a teammate’s voice cutting off mid-scream as they’re killed by a vengeful spirit, or a bold hunter taunting a ghost with curses and insults. Playing alongside other people made me braver, allowing me to ease into the horror genre without soiling my shorts. It’s only gotten bigger since its debut, with regular support from the devs, so Phasmophobia is a consistently great horror game option when you’re in the mood to be spooked. — Alyssa Mercante