Halloween is fast approaching, and that means it is the season of Horror movies and horror games. A few factors that was used to create the Top 10 involved graphics and replay ability to start. The amount of Content was also considered. Notable positives and negatives of each game were also considered. First and foremost, the game had to be a Co-op Ghost Hunting game. There was a lot of close games in placement and all that was considered will be covered in each Game. We will start with Honorable Mentions, and then count down to the Number One game!
Honorable Mentions
Co-op Horror Games
OverNight
Let’s start with OverNight. This game has good graphics and has replay ability, but the content seemed merely okay. It had unique forms of ghost hunting, using dousing rods, a music box and a different spirit board from the Ouija board. The game did only release July 28th, 2022, so it’s pretty new. The other reason it didn’t make the list is it had only one map at the time of writing this article.
Pacify
Pacify is very similar to another game, Devour. However, Pacify only has three maps, the same goal but can be fun with friends according to the many reviews. The content it provides, also, seemed limited. The game doesn’t have a difficulty scale either, meaning you can play solo or with a group and it doesn’t get any harder. You can play alone, with friends working together, or against friends in a PVP. Currently it has only one guy working on the game, but he does try to get updates out quickly.
Masks of Deception
This game is like Among us under the genre of horror with exorcism at the end, if you survive. This game had a lot of potential, but didn’t make the cut because it had the most negatives than any other game on this list. The goal is you have 4 players (6 preferably), and one is considered the Demon. The rest are purgers. As Purgers you are gathering evidence as to what demon you are dealing with, the name of the demon, and which player is working with the demon. The reason this game never made the cut is due to the lack of evidence tracking in-game (there is a lot). It sadly does require friends as the community currently is too small that finding public lobbies is almost impossible. The dead also have a task to help their friends too.
Gravewood High Multiplayer
This game was not a Ghost Hunting game, but it is getting an honorable mention because it is a multiplayer game. You are sneaking test answers from the school and have to get around a teacher. There are puzzles, traps, etc. You and your friends can use your wits to solve the obstacles and lure the teacher around. Seems fun, and if you so choose, you can also play solo.
#10
Ghost Exile
Ghost Exile had decent graphics, and good content. People say the scares are terrifying, plenty of maps to choose from, and some have said the Dev’s listen to the entire community. Some Notable negatives pertaining to the game is that it tended to be resource intensive, so expect to play on low settings. The other complaint was that the game starts with advanced difficulty turned on, so maybe turn it off when you first start playing.
Play solo or with 1-3 friends. You find clues to the type of ghost, and then carry out a ritual of exorcism. If you make hasty conclusions, it may end up being very bad for you. This game is Early Access and is purchasable for $13.99 on steam.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1807080/Ghost_Exile/
#9
Wicked Dolls
Wicked Dolls was a bit surprising since its Graphics were only Decent (some lighting issues), but the content was good. It is another ritual game, and, like Remnant Records, everything you need to do the ritual is in the house. There was a lack of tutorial so best to do a private game to figure out the basics. Some maps can be glitchy visually and sometimes when performing the wrong ritual, the items disappear from the circle. I was unable to find out if said items are destroyed, if they spawn back where they originally spawned, or if the item that disappears from the ritual is gone due to being the “wrong item”.
Investigate hidden clues to find out how to imprison the possessing spirit of the dolls that lurk in the shadows. Wicked Dolls is a 4 player co-op psychological horror game. It is Early Access and is available for $7.99
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1895960/Wicked_Dolls/
#8
Ghost Exorcism Inc.
Ghost Exorcism Inc. has decent graphics and good content. In normal mode, you investigate the type of ghost and then perform an exorcism on the spirit to vanquish it. It also allows exorcism using your voice. Some downsides was that it lacked community lobbies and sometimes voice recognition didn’t always work when reading the book script for the exorcism, or when talking to the spirit.
The game plays a lot like Phasmophobia, but with an exorcism at the end. It also has unique protections to fight the spirit compared to Phasmophobia. You can get this game for $17.99 on Steam as well and it is another Early Access game.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1618540/Ghost_Exorcism_INC/
#7
Devour
Another game with good graphics and good content is Devour. The game offers characters to pick from, each with their own cosmetics. Unfortunately the game lacks ways to protect yourself from the Demons and there is no difficulty scaling. Playing solo, or a total max of 4, the difficulty remains the same. With that in mind, it is better to play with friends than alone. However, each map has its own Monster and story. This game is also a prequel to another game, The Watchers.
The main premise is that you are part of a cult, trying to stop bad cultists from summoning bad demons and trying to acquire power for themselves. As the Synopsis for the game reads on steam: “Run. Scream. Hide. Just don’t get caught.” This game is pretty cheap, $4.99. you could also purchase the soundtrack for $3.99. There’s also a Supporter Edition for $9.99 that comes with a few cosmetics and digital art. You could also buy the Supporter Edition Bundle, for $18.02. This includes the base game, the soundtrack and the supporter Edition DLC.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1274570/DEVOUR/
#6
Midnight Ghost Hunt
Midnight Ghost Hunt is another double good on graphics and content. This game has up to 8 players, but you’re split into two teams: four ghosts and four ghost hunters. Ghosts have special abilities as do the Hunters. This is also a prop hunt game, in addition to Ghost hunting. No one side’s abilities is more powerful than the other. A few emotes and poses, cosmetics and Map variations. A common complaint on the game is lack of players and most of the ones you encounter can be trolls. There was also a few complaints that people got bored easily. Definitely need more friends to play for sure.
As stated above, it is a ghost/prop hunting game. As a ghost, you can take possession of objects to hide from the Hunters, and also take possession of objects to potentially kill the hunters. You also have abilities to evade or help maim. As a hunter, you also have tech and abilities to locate and capture the ghosts. Just make sure to evade any attacks. This game is early access and can be purchased for $19.99. the soundtrack is $4.99 and there is also a Early Backer Pack. For $39.99 you get a fancy title, unique skins for both Ghosts and hunter and bonus emotes. It also provides an Early Backer Bundle where you get everything mentioned for $49.37.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/915810/Midnight_Ghost_Hunt/
#5
Obsideo
While the graphics in Obsideo are good, the content was only decent. However, it had a lot of positives. It had more ghost interactions than other games (i.e. more objects moving, multiple things being thrown, floating etc.) it uses unique ghost evidence such as certain objects turning on, walls being stabbed. Maps are procedurally generated and the Dev’s are currently working on model customization. Still limited to being a priest.
You and up to 3 other friends are priests, hired to expel the paranormal. You explore different locations to figure out the type of ghost and then exorcise it. This is an Early Access game for $11.99
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1708460/Obsideo/
#4
Ghost Watchers
Ghost Watchers has good graphics, but only decent content. This game ranked a little higher simply because its a lot like being a Ghostbuster. Some have said it is scarier than other games, has good ghost models and at the end of the investigation, you capture the ghost.
The downside of Ghost Watchers was it was hard to find any content to watch on the game. The dev’s have been accused of running a sort of scam with their game. You also visit the game’s page, and it’s the exact same video just playing on repeat; it never ends. You go around and hunt ghosts with up to 3 friends.
This game is Early Access and can be purchased on steam for $14.99
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1850740/Ghost_Watchers/
#3
Remnant Records
Remnant Records has good graphics, good content and you can play with a total of 4 players. Each playable character has a unique ability. The ghost models are unique and funny. This is another game of unusual ghost hunting techniques. Instead of using EMF or thermometer like most others, you are using the story of when the spirit was alive, to find the items needed to create a ritual to put the spirit to rest. If something happens, items glitch out and you can also test the objects. Unfortunately this also means starting over on gathering items.
Many people have said there was no thrill to the game and no action. This game is definitely more for the story aspect. Due to all the positive differences this game had compared to others, that’s why this game earned 4th place.
Players explore places haunted by spirits who have died horribly. It is up to you and your team to find out what happened to the person when they were alive, gather the items, and create a ritual to put the spirit to rest. This game has thousands of unique generated mysteries. Remnant Records is in early access and can be purchased on steam for $15.99
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1916310/Remnant_Records/
#2
Forewarned
Forewarned had good graphics, good content, and amazing physics! Not only are you figuring out the type of mummy you are dealing with, there are puzzles to solve, money to find, and a main puzzle: Getting into the inner tomb. There was also no distinguishable negatives about this game.
Forewarned is a 1-4 player co-op survival horror. You have discovered a new pyramid to explore in Egypt. With fellow archeologists, investigate, take pictures, discover lore, and banish the evil within. It is another early access game and, unfortunately, it was only second due to the fact it is newer, and has a much smaller player base compared to one. It was a very close run between this and the next game. This can be purchased for $12.99
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1562420/FOREWARNED/
#1
Phasmophobia
Naturally, Phasmophobia is in first place, but it earned its place here. It has good graphics, good content, great voice recognition, and pretty good ambience. It also had no notable negatives that could be found. Maybe the tutorial could be updated some, but otherwise still very functional.
Paranormal Activity is on the rise and it’s up to you and your team (up to 4) to use all the ghost hunting equipment at your disposal in order to gather as much evidence as you can. The player base is very large, and finding a public lobbies game is not hard.
This game has been in early access for over a year, and is expecting to leave early access in 2023 as of now. You can get this game for $13.99 on Steam.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/739630/Phasmophobia/
Mom of three, enjoy videogames, board games and phone games. I typically am playing Simulation games or FPS games.
