Phasmophobia is a co-op paranormal horror investigation game from Kinetic Games. Up to four players work as ghost hunters, collecting evidence inside haunted locations and identifying the type of ghost before it kills you. Since its Early Access launch in September 2020, it has sold over 20 million copies, making it one of the most successful indie horror games ever made. This guide covers everything you need to start playing on PC in 2026, from installation to ghost-finding strategy.
System Requirements
Phasmophobia is not demanding, but VR support means the specs are slightly higher than a typical indie game. All figures are official from Kinetic Games.
| Tier | CPU | GPU | RAM | Storage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum | Intel Core i5-4590 / AMD Ryzen 5 1500X | NVIDIA GTX 970 / AMD RX 480 (4 GB VRAM) | 8 GB | 15 GB SSD |
| Recommended | Intel Core i7-6700 / AMD Ryzen 5 3600 | NVIDIA GTX 1080 Ti / AMD RX 5700 XT (8 GB VRAM) | 16 GB | 15 GB SSD |
| VR | Intel Core i7-6700K / AMD Ryzen 7 3700X | NVIDIA GTX 1070 / AMD RX Vega 56 (8 GB VRAM) | 16 GB | 15 GB SSD |
- SSD is strongly recommended. HDD causes long loading times and can desync co-op sessions.
- VR support covers Valve Index, HTC Vive, Oculus Quest 2/3 (Link/Air Link), and Windows Mixed Reality headsets.
- A microphone is required for ghost communication mechanics (voice detection is a core gameplay system).
- No dedicated GPU? Intel Iris Xe (integrated on 12th+ Gen Intel) can run Phasmophobia at Low settings 30–40 FPS — playable but not recommended for VR.
How to Download Phasmophobia on PC
Phasmophobia is available exclusively on Steam. There is no Epic Games Store version, no standalone client, and no Game Pass version.
Price: ~$14 USD (base game). Watch for frequent Steam sales where it drops to ~$7.
Steps:
- Open Steam. If you don't have it, download from store.steampowered.com.
- Search "Phasmophobia" in the Steam store.
- Click Add to Cart → Purchase for Myself.
- After purchase, go to your Library, find Phasmophobia, and click Install.
- Choose your install drive. Minimum 15 GB free space required.
- Wait for download to complete, then click Play.
First launch: Phasmophobia will ask you to set your microphone. Complete this step — voice detection is used for ghost-specific interactions (saying certain phrases can attract or anger the ghost).
Best Settings for Performance
Phasmophobia's default settings are reasonable, but these adjustments improve FPS and visual clarity:
Graphics Settings (Main Menu → Options → Graphics):
| Setting | Recommended Value | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Resolution | Native (1920×1080+) | Don't downsample — clarity matters for reading evidence |
| Display Mode | Fullscreen | Slightly better performance than Windowed |
| VSync | Off | Adds input lag; use NVIDIA/AMD frame limiter instead |
| Target FPS | 60 (or monitor refresh rate) | Uncapped can cause overheating with no visual benefit |
| Quality Preset | Medium to High | Low removes enough shadows to make the game easier — cheating the horror out |
| Shadow Quality | Medium | Biggest single FPS lever; Ultra has diminishing returns |
| Texture Quality | High | Minimal performance cost, large visual difference |
| Anti-Aliasing | TAA | Smoothest result for a horror game; MSAA is overkill |
| Ambient Occlusion | SSAO | Off is tempting but removes the cave-like depth that makes indoor areas feel claustrophobic |
| Fog Quality | Medium | Core to the atmosphere; don't disable it |
| Motion Blur | Off | Motion Blur adds disorientation — unhelpful when you need to see a ghost |
For low-end PCs (GTX 1050 or older):
- Quality Preset: Low
- Shadow Quality: Low or Off
- Fog Quality: Low
- Target FPS: 30 (reduces GPU load significantly)
- Resolution Scale: 75%
Audio Settings:
- Master Volume: 80–90% — hearing ghost footsteps, doors, and breaker sounds is critical
- Voice Chat Volume: Make sure this is up; in multiplayer, teammates warn you of ghost activity
How Phasmophobia Works: Core Loop
Every contract takes place in a haunted location. Your job is to:
- Gather evidence using equipment
- Identify the ghost type from 27+ possible types
- Complete optional objectives for bonus money
- Escape alive (or send someone to their death trying)
You do not need to "kill" the ghost. You win by identifying it correctly and escaping — or by completing a cursed object challenge.
Ghost Evidence System
Each ghost type can be identified by a combination of three out of six possible evidence types. Collecting two of three pieces narrows the possibilities significantly; all three confirms the ghost.
| Evidence Type | Tool Used | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| EMF Level 5 | EMF Reader | Reader displays Level 5 (not just 2–3); blinks red |
| Spirit Box | Spirit Box | Ghost responds to voice questions ("Are you here?", "How old are you?") |
| Fingerprints | UV Flashlight or Glowstick | Ghost leaves prints on doors, windows, light switches after interaction |
| Ghost Orb | Video Camera (monitored remotely) | Floating orb visible only on video feed, not naked eye |
| Ghost Writing | Ghost Writing Book (place it) | Ghost writes in the book — can take 10–15 minutes |
| Freezing Temperatures | Thermometer | Room drops below 0°C (32°F); visible breath also appears |
| D.O.T.S. Projector | D.O.T.S. Projector + Video Camera | Ghost silhouette visible crawling through the laser grid on camera |
Evidence changes in Nightmare mode: Some evidence is hidden. This is the core progression challenge.
Equipment Priority Guide
Starting money is limited ($1,500 in a new save). Here is the priority order for first purchases:
| Priority | Item | Cost | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | EMF Reader | $45 | Required for EMF Level 5 evidence; also shows ghost activity in real time |
| 2 | Spirit Box | $50 | Required for Spirit Box evidence; one of the most common evidence types |
| 3 | UV Flashlight | $35 | Reveals Fingerprints evidence without needing a full UV lamp |
| 4 | Ghost Writing Book | $40 | Passive evidence; place and wait |
| 5 | Thermometer | $30 | Identify Freezing Temperature evidence; also locates the ghost room faster |
| 6 | Video Camera | $50 | Required for Ghost Orb and D.O.T.S. evidence; also critical for remote monitoring |
| 7 | D.O.T.S. Projector | $65 | Required for D.O.T.S. evidence; place in the ghost room |
| — | Photo Camera | $40 | Not evidence, but earns bonus money for photographing the ghost, corpses, interactions |
Never start without: EMF Reader + at least one of (Spirit Box / Thermometer / UV Flashlight).
Finding the Ghost Room
The most important early-game skill is locating the haunted room. The ghost room is where evidence will appear most consistently.
Method:
- Turn on the Thermometer and walk through each room. The ghost room will be noticeably colder than others — below 15°C (59°F) is a sign; below 0°C (32°F) is freezing-temperature evidence.
- Check the EMF Reader while moving. Level 2+ near a door or object indicates recent ghost activity in that area.
- Listen for footstep sounds, door movements, and object interactions. The ghost is most active near its favorite room.
- Use the in-truck journal to track where evidence appears as teammates report findings.
Ghost Hunting Phase (Warning: You Can Die)
The ghost enters a Hunting Phase periodically, during which it actively chases and kills players. Signs:
- Lights flicker rapidly and all electronics malfunction.
- Ghost begins moving toward nearby players.
- Doors to the exterior cannot be opened during a hunt.
How to survive a hunt:
- Hide in a locker, closet, or behind furniture. The ghost uses line-of-sight and audio proximity.
- Stay still and silent. Your microphone picks up your actual voice — speaking, coughing, or humming can attract the ghost.
- Smudge Sticks can be lit to confuse the ghost and create a 6-second blind period.
- Crucifix placed in the ghost room prevents a hunt from starting if the ghost is near it (does not stop an active hunt).
Sanity mechanics:
- Your sanity percentage drops the longer you spend in the dark or near the ghost.
- Below 50% sanity: ghost hunts become more frequent.
- Use Sanity Pills to restore 40% sanity each.
- Turn lights on when you don't need darkness — light slows sanity drain.
The 27+ Ghost Types: Cheat Sheet
A full ghost reference. Each ghost has three pieces of evidence that identify it, plus unique behavior traits.
| Ghost | Unique Behavior |
|---|---|
| Spirit | Smudge Sticks prevent hunting for longer (180 sec vs 90 sec) |
| Wraith | Never leaves footprints; can teleport to players; salt triggers no footprints |
| Phantom | Looking at it drains sanity fast; disappears when photographed |
| Poltergeist | Throws many objects simultaneously; dangerous in rooms with lots of items |
| Banshee | Targets one player exclusively; likes to sing when near its target |
| Jinn | Very fast when far from its victim; turning off the breaker neutralizes its speed ability |
| Mare | More aggressive in darkness; turning lights on reduces hunt frequency |
| Revenant | Moves slowly when not hunting; moves very fast when it has line of sight |
| Shade | Shy — rarely interacts when multiple players are in its room; hunt requires <35% sanity |
| Demon | Hunts more often than any other ghost; Crucifix use range is larger |
| Yurei | Drains sanity rapidly when entering its room; Smudge Sticks trap it in a room temporarily |
| Oni | More active with people in the room; cannot produce Ghost Orbs |
| Yokai | Attracted by voice — talking near it increases hunt chance |
| Hantu | Faster in cold rooms; slower in warm rooms; cannot produce EMF Level 5 |
| Goryo | D.O.T.S. only visible on camera (not direct sight); leaves camera location |
| Myling | Very quiet — footsteps only audible when it's close to you |
| Onryo | Flame-obsessed — flames prevent hunting; too many flame deaths triggers hunt regardless |
| The Twins | Two independent entities; one decoys while the other hunts |
| Raiju | Faster near active electronics |
| Obake | Leaves six-fingered handprints instead of five |
| The Mimic | Can mimic other ghost behaviors; always shows a Ghost Orb (not its real evidence) |
| Moroi | Curses players via Spirit Box or Parabolic Mic, draining sanity faster |
| Deogen | Slows dramatically when near its target; detects hiding players |
| Thaye | Gets weaker over time the longer you're in the building |
Difficulty Levels
Phasmophobia uses a tiered difficulty system that adjusts evidence access, equipment limits, and ghost behavior.
| Difficulty | Evidence | Setup Time | Evidence Visible | Starting Sanity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amateur | 3 of 3 shown | 5 minutes | All | 100% |
| Intermediate | 3 of 3 shown | 2 minutes | All | 100% |
| Professional | 3 of 3 shown | 0 minutes | All | 100% |
| Nightmare | 1 evidence hidden | 0 minutes | All | 100% |
| Insanity | 2 evidences hidden | 0 minutes | Reduced | 50% |
| Custom | Configurable | Configurable | Configurable | Configurable |
For beginners: start on Amateur. Evidence is generous and you have 5 minutes before the ghost can hunt.
Multiplayer: Playing with Friends
Phasmophobia supports 1–4 players online co-op. There is no crossplay — PC only (Steam).
Creating a private lobby:
- Main Menu → Play
- Select a map and difficulty.
- Change Room Type to Private.
- Share the Room Code with friends (shown in the lobby).
Friends can join via: Main Menu → Play → Join Private Lobby → Enter code.
Voice chat: Built-in push-to-talk or open mic. The ghost hears you through your microphone — global chat (V key) can be heard by the ghost; local chat (B key) is proximity-based and safer.
Common Fixes
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Game crashes on launch | Verify game files: Steam Library → Right-click Phasmophobia → Properties → Local Files → Verify Integrity |
| Microphone not detected | Go to Windows Settings → Privacy → Microphone → Allow apps to access microphone; restart game |
| Ghost never talks on Spirit Box | Some ghosts don't respond to Spirit Box — that means it's not their evidence type; they also won't respond if two or more players are in the room |
| Stuck at loading screen | Lower texture quality or move game to SSD; HDD loading times can appear frozen |
| VR: head movement doesn't work | Ensure SteamVR is running before launching Phasmophobia; restart SteamVR |
| Evidence not appearing | Evidence can take up to 15 minutes to appear on Nightmare/Insanity; place tools and wait in the ghost room |
| Low FPS | Reduce Shadow Quality first; then Fog Quality; then Resolution Scale |
| Can't hear teammates | Check Options → Audio → Voice Chat Volume; also verify Windows sound mixer (Phasmophobia doesn't mute itself) |
Phasmophobia vs. Similar Games
| Game | Players | Perspective | Core mechanic | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phasmophobia | 1–4 co-op | First-person | Investigate & identify | ~$14 |
| Lethal Company | 1–4 co-op | First-person | Loot & escape | ~$10 |
| Content Warning | 1–4 co-op | First-person | Record ghosts for views | Free |
| Dead by Daylight | 4v1 | Third-person | Asymmetric survival | Free |
| Devour | 1–4 co-op | First-person | Ritual-based ghost stopping | $5.99 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phasmophobia free? No. It costs approximately $14 USD on Steam. It is not on Game Pass. It frequently goes on sale for ~$7.
Can I play solo? Yes. The game is fully playable solo — maps scale in difficulty. Solo is significantly more dangerous since the ghost has only one target (you).
Do I need a microphone? Technically no, but the Spirit Box evidence requires verbal questions, and the ghost responds to voice during hunts. A microphone adds a critical gameplay layer and is strongly recommended.
Is Phasmophobia VR only? No. VR is optional. The game works entirely on a standard monitor with mouse and keyboard.
How long is a typical game session? Amateur maps: 20–30 minutes. Larger maps (Prison, Asylum): 45–60 minutes. Nightmare mode with hidden evidence can extend any map significantly.
Is Phasmophobia still being updated? Yes. Kinetic Games releases substantial updates regularly (new ghost types, maps, equipment). The game remains in Early Access but has been consistently developed since 2020.
Is the game scary? Yes, meaningfully so — especially for first-time players. Jump scares are present but secondary to the persistent tension of ghost proximity. Playing in the dark with headphones on is strongly recommended.