Is it me? or is the game just not scary anymore?

[Jivan69]

I have to ask this as I've tried to grind out some levels for the Halloween event and just been so bored as it just didn't even get me once, actually found the event made it less scary. As unlike the lights turning red from a ghost event which is a random occurrence, having it constantly tinged red just made it even harder to see so when you got a ghost event you were already in the dark no contrast whatsoever. This with the spirit box change as can hardly even understand it anymore, where as before having something whisper I'm behind you in a creepy voice or mimic your tone was unsettling to say the least to damn near frightning with other elements.

As even the majority of streamers aim at ghost hunts to find out the ghost type. I remember a time when hunts were a avoid at all cost situation, yet watching streamers I wouldn't even guess this is a horror game as there's no fear factor of having a hunt.

This with the maps that we've all played a thousand times over, you know where everything is nothing changes apart from some hiding spots blocked off and even the new lighthouse it's so restrictive that find it more awkward than scary

[Dimi]

It's not the fact that it is not scary anymore, it's the fact that you've become used to the elements it provides as a game to the point where you became desensitized.

The ''fear factor'' happens with every game when you play for the first couple of hours since you still have the ''fear of the unknown''. Right now it's like ''oh cool, an event'', ''oh the door slammed and i hear footsteps, most likely a hunt''.

At the end of the day, for me personally, phasmophobia is a puzzle game with horror elements and not the other way around. Which is cool, some people really dig that vibe and more power to them.

[Maya-Neko]

Fear grows from the unknown, so once you know how the game works, there's no fear left you can experience anymore. Games literally directly offer the exposure therapy for the very same thing they use to get you into the game and no dev in the world can prevent that from ever happening. I don't know how many hours you've played, but anything past 20 hours is simply you being victim to your own brains functions, learning the difference between something that is potentially dangerous and something, that will not harm you, because it's literally just a game.

Originally posted by Jivan69:

As even the majority of streamers aim at ghost hunts to find out the ghost type. I remember a time when hunts were a avoid at all cost situation, yet watching streamers I wouldn't even guess this is a horror game as there's no fear factor of having a hunt.

There was never a time where avoiding hunts at all cost was the best strategy. In fact, the first game had 11/12 ghost literally being unable to reach you, as long as you moved around, making it extra easy to utilize hunts. After the hunt speed up was introduced, that obviously made things harder, but with the addition of the next 8 ghosts, hunts were even more important to low evidence runs than ever before and the addition of the 4 most recent ghosts cemented that benefit even further.

If there was ever a time of you not wanting to start a hunt, then that was solely on your own brain still being in the development of understanding, how incapable this game is in physically harming you or of you simply not wanting to feel the stress that can come with the hunts.

Originally posted by Jivan69:

This with the maps that we've all played a thousand times over, you know where everything is nothing changes apart from some hiding spots blocked off and even the new lighthouse it's so restrictive that find it more awkward than scary

I wonder what kind of games you're playing that this is even a problem. I personally have yet not seen even a single game in my 25 years of being a gamer, where they truly manage to always offer new maps or areas before i get too accustomed with the current set. Even procedurally generated maps have some sort of repetition, that makes it somewhat predictable after playing like 200+ hours.

[Mysticalmaid]

The streamers play so frequently that they have grown used to the scary aspects, fear is strongest with the unknown. I am very scared because I'm new and have yet to dare escape a ghost hunt (hide until 25% sanity goal then run), but I'd be more scared if I hadn't been watching streamers and vods playing it for months.

[-- scippie --]

I however must say I do agree with OP, although I am certain 'getting used to' is also definitely a factor.
But yes, the spirit box was much scarier when it said things like 'yesssss', 'right behind you', ... which felt like it was whispered right behind you.
The special graphics updates indeed, certainly this one Halloween one, made everything so bright that you don't need lights anymore.
A hunt is indeed no longer something to be scared of, if you know how a ghost will hunt. Hunts have become predictable and when done correctly are a slap in the face for the ghost's intelligence (and thus the developers behind it). A ghost used to come and get you out of a closet. This seldom happens anymore.

But I must also agree on the 'you got used to it' replies. There was a time I didn't know that hiding from a Deogen was pointless and I would be scared as hell when he opened up the closet and I didn't have my smudge stick ready. Or those times I had forgotten again that I hadn't turned off my lamp. Now I don't even need a lamp anymore, because the maps are so predictable that I can almost walk them blind. And that's something that only comes from playing it a lot.

It would be nice if all those things you get used to, are a lot more randomized. It would be great if ghosts recognize your patterns (not talking about AI, simply remembering places where you are a lot, where you were during a previous hunt, things like that. Wouldn't it be great if the ghost could do a jump scare action on your monitor in the truck while you are watching it for dots? Wouldn't it be great if the ghost could sometimes get out of its stats by defying its own limits (like we humans do all the time)?

Originally posted by Mysticalmaid:

(hide until 25% sanity goal then run)

Another thing you get used to: they simplified hiding so much that it becomes a boring wait until you have the 25%. Run? Why bother... wait till the hunt is finished, if it's not a Deogen, he won't find you if he already hasn't and you can just wait it out, you know a new hunt won't start within at least 1,5 minute so you have plenty of time to retreat after that.

It would be so great if there was a possibility that the ghost got 'so mad' he starts another hunt within 10 seconds or so, something not predictable with cheat sheets and charts and whatnot.

I miss the days of Silent Hill... in this case 4 (although 2 is my favorite) where you couldn't even feel safe in your own house at some point, the only place where you felt safe every time. That was scary...

[Radiate88]

Depends on who you ask, really. Some people view this as nothing more than a horror game. I personally see it as a puzzle game. The game not being scary doesn't exactly mean the game can't still be enjoyed, but it depends on the person. If you play a game just for the spook or scare factor, playing the same game over and over again just naturally makes it lose that thrill. I've personally played the game enough to where nothing is scary at all, but I continue because I enjoy the challenge of figuring out a ghost type in higher difficulties.

[WickedKae]

It has lost its touch to be honest.

I play in VR and it used to be amazing, but the devs have done nothing at all with the ghost behaviors. There's nothing scary. I get hissed at, lights flicker and uhhh sometimes a ghost shows up and walks around.... wow so scary.

Why aren't the ghosts on the walls or ceilings? Why don't they throw TONS of stuff around at the same time. This game has become very simplistic. IDing a ghost has lost it's appeal. There's not enough variety either in evidence possibilities or even ghosts themselves. Every round is the same.

Friend and I used to play this hardcore every Halloween, but this year we just found ourselves moving on since it is the exact same experience every time. They need to add a lot more depth to this game and add some more actual gameplay (getting rid of the ghost etc)