Phasmophobia, the cooperative horror game known for its chilling paranormal investigations, has recently launched update v0.9.4.0, bringing a suite of lighting improvements and gameplay refinements. Released in 2020 by Kinetic Games, Phasmophobia quickly rose to prominence with its unique mix of team-oriented gameplay and ghost-tracking mechanics. By employing an array of tools and gathering evidence, players work together to uncover the haunting mysteries within various locations, with the added edge of virtual reality compatibility and enveloping audio adding to the game's engrossing horror atmosphere.
The fresh update zeroes in on enhancing the game's visuals, with Kinetic Games injecting new life into lighting with features like Eye Adaptation and Screen Space Global Illumination (SSGI) in the Journal settings. These visual tweaks aim to render the lighting transitions and reflections more realistic. The static lighting has been meticulously reworked in all stages, and there's a noticeable bump in the ambient lighting within these eerie environments. External light sources now cast their glow through windows, effectively intensifying the game's haunting allure, while intentionally darkened areas, such as large farmhouse rooms, amplify the suspense.
In response to community input, Phasmophobia's latest patch also incorporates various gameplay adjustments. It bids farewell to the Holiday Event and enhances the speed and uniformity with which reflections respond to lighting switches. The sliders controlling brightness have been recalibrated to align with the newly heightened ambient light, affecting even the cursor's luminosity. Grafton Farmhouse's hiding spots have been modified for improved protection during gameplay, and the overall color processing is now tweaked to yield a more cinematic feel. A welcome optimization also arrives with the fuse box switch flips, ensuring the atmosphere remains spine-tingling throughout. Additionally, the ghost writing books have been secured against poltergeist antics.
The patch addresses various bugs, from restoring the intended gleam to metallic doorknobs to fixing exploitable safe spots in the Willow location. Weekly challenges have been corrected to display the proper items and conditions, and Maple Lodge Campsite's tents alongside Sunny Meadows' notorious room 5 are now void of any safe spots, ensuring players are fully engaged in their ghostly encounters.
As Kinetic Games demonstrates its commitment to player feedback, these improvements signal a further evolution of Phasmophobia, reinforcing its standing as a deeply immersive and atmospheric ghost-hunting adventure.
Phasmophobia Patch Notes 0.9.4.0 Highlights
What's New:
- Enhanced Journal graphics settings, including Eye Adaptation and SSGI, for more dynamic and realistic lighting scenarios.
- A revamped static lighting framework for all locations.
- Boosted ambient lighting and outside light penetration through windows.
- A shift towards darker scenes for certain environments to enrich the vibe of suspense.
Changes to Gameplay:
- Holiday Event removed.
- More prompt reflection updates with lighting changes.
- Adjusted brightness sliders due to new ambient light settings.
- Enhanced lighting for Grafton farmhouse along with safer hiding spots.
- Post-processing updates for enriched cinematic color quality.
- Performance boosts upon interacting with fuse boxes.
- Ghostwriting books immune to poltergeist powers.
Bug Fixes:
- Shiny metallic doorknobs restored.
- Safe spots in Willow and other locations have been rectified.
- Fixed inconsistencies in weekly challenges regarding required items and conditions.
- Adjusted Tanglewood reflections to prevent misplaced object glow.
- The Sunny Meadows summoning circle can now be photographed.
- Motion sensors in-game now match truck map detections.
- Critical fixes to previously safe areas across various maps.
This patch not only rectifies past issues but also shows the developer's dedication to enhancing the nerve-wracking experiences of players, ensuring Phasmophobia remains a leading title in the horror genre.