The wildly popular ghost-hunting game Phasmophobia, from indie developer Kinetic Games, has extended its reach beyond PC, now available on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PS VR2. Just in time for Halloween, the new Crimson Eye update celebrates the console launch with a thrilling, community-driven event and introduces the eerie Blood Moon, setting an entirely new bar for seasonal in-game activities.
Watch the console launch trailer for Phasmophobia on YouTube here.
This release adds both cross-play compatibility and a Halloween event that shifts from last year’s individual pumpkin-lighting and candy-finding into a community-centered blood hunt with goals for players to accomplish together. Here’s what players, old and new, can expect from this update as Phasmophobia makes its way to a wider audience.
Phasmophobia: A Ghost-Hunting Phenomenon
Since its 2020 PC launch, Phasmophobia has enchanted players worldwide, offering a bone-chilling ghost-hunting experience that sets players on investigations with high-tech tools and a haunting sense of realism. The game allows up to four players to join forces in gathering paranormal evidence in dimly lit, haunted locations filled with unexplainable phenomena. This dynamic, horror-mystery gameplay has made it a global sensation, driven by the blend of strategy, immersive soundscapes, and terrifying encounters with ghosts. Now with console compatibility, Phasmophobia extends this paranormal adventure to a larger player base.
Console Release and Cross-Play Capabilities
Launching on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PS VR2, Phasmophobia brings console players into the ghost-hunting fold, where they can connect seamlessly with friends across all platforms, thanks to newly implemented cross-play. The console versions mirror the PC game, optimized for smooth graphics and immersive controls that elevate the ghost-hunting experience. Whether players use a traditional controller or VR setup, the game delivers an equally intense experience. With cross-play, teaming up to face haunted horrors is no longer limited by platform, expanding the Phasmophobia community even further.
Crimson Eye: A New Kind of Halloween Community Event
Phasmophobia’s Halloween events are well-loved traditions, but the Crimson Eye update this year introduces a unique twist. Instead of an individual scavenger hunt, players are now called to collaborate on a global scale, joining forces to complete optional objectives, investigate paranormal anomalies, and capture evidence of newly appearing “Blood Altars” in cursed locations. Completing these tasks yields blood points, which players must collectively accrue to unlock a new trophy, badge, and more in-game rewards.
The addition of community-driven goals is a departure from the previous Halloween events, in which players could tackle objectives solo and instantly receive rewards. This year’s event requires a more coordinated effort, and while some players might miss the solo-paced activities, the Crimson Eye event aims to foster camaraderie among the Phasmophobia fanbase, creating a shared experience.
Blood Moon and Enhanced Ghost Encounters
Perhaps the most unsettling feature in the Crimson Eye update is the “Blood Moon,” an event that heightens paranormal activity and strengthens ghost encounters. When the Blood Moon rises, hauntings become more intense, and players must remain vigilant as ghosts take on deadlier behaviors. This adds a layer of difficulty and suspense, as players now have to confront empowered ghosts while completing objectives.
The Blood Moon event also introduces a new weather type, adding visual and gameplay elements that increase the tension in ghost encounters. Players are urged to locate and photograph Blood Altars during the Blood Moon for extra blood points—though this comes with the risk of facing amped-up spirits that are more aggressive and harder to avoid.
New Event Board and Challenges
The Crimson Eye update also revamps the in-game Event Board. Located in the warehouse area, this board is now the hub for event-related tracking and rewards, with detailed leaflets outlining each event’s goals and progress. This change makes it easy for players to keep track of event progress and rewards while adding a more organized layout to the game’s pre-hunt setup.
In addition to the main event, new challenges such as the “Ranger Challenge” and “Sunny Meadows Survival” have been added, giving players even more ways to test their ghost-hunting skills. These challenges promise fresh ways to earn rewards, making them an exciting addition for those looking to prove their expertise in the game’s increasingly haunted settings.
Updates to Gameplay and Technical Enhancements
Alongside the Crimson Eye event, Phasmophobia has received a series of gameplay updates, technical fixes, and optimizations designed to enhance the overall experience. The update addresses multiple physics issues that have long affected gameplay, including a refined player movement system that eliminates issues like being pushed through walls or getting stuck. The door mechanics have been overhauled, ensuring smoother interactions that prevent players from getting displaced or objects from glitching.
Other quality-of-life improvements include a redesigned font that improves language localization, additional language support for Latin American Spanish, and updated interface options, which will make the game more accessible to a global audience. Additionally, the game now boasts higher performance and more consistent frame rates, creating a smoother experience, especially crucial during tense moments when players are fleeing ghostly threats.
Looking Forward: Building on the Community Event Concept
While the Crimson Eye event is a bold move towards community-driven gameplay, it’s not without its share of critics. Some players miss the personalized Halloween tasks that they could complete at their own pace, such as lighting jack-o’-lanterns or participating in rituals. The reliance on community participation for event rewards may take some getting used to, but it’s a model that could become more dynamic and engaging with future updates.
The collaborative event format offers potential for future holidays and seasonal events to bring players together in more engaging, creative ways. The Blood Moon and community-driven activities add an intriguing layer to Phasmophobia’s ever-evolving haunted world, making it one of the more ambitious updates from Kinetic Games.
Join the Hunt This Halloween
The Crimson Eye update brings a new level of depth and player interaction to Phasmophobia’s already gripping ghost-hunting gameplay. Whether on PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, or PS VR2, players can now dive into one of the scariest games available and join the hunt for Blood Altars, work towards shared rewards, and face the Blood Moon’s chilling effects together. And as Phasmophobia continues to evolve, fans can look forward to future events that could further redefine community collaboration within the game.
Join the paranormal community by connecting on Phasmophobia’s official Discord and prepare for what may be the game’s most haunting Halloween season yet.