D&A Studios is back with a spiritual successor to its 2022 cult favorite Conrad Stevenson’s Paranormal P.I., and fans of slow-burn, lore-rich ghost investigation sims have something new to look forward to. Among The Whispers – Provocation launches tomorrow on Steam and brings with it new mechanics, deeper storytelling, and one spooky four-story mansion filled with secrets waiting to be uncovered.
We had early access to the game and spoke with Kip, the solo developer behind the project, to get a feel for what players can expect—and what sets this ghost game apart.
First Impressions: A Haunting Return with More Depth and Danger
If you played Paranormal P.I., you’ll feel right at home in Among The Whispers. But don’t expect a rehash. This game is more complex, more atmospheric, and more strategic than its predecessor. The core loop of scanning for evidence, identifying ghosts, and ultimately helping them find peace is still here—but it’s been overhauled with a focus on pacing, agency, and replayability.
Each ghost has a unique backstory tied into a larger family saga that you uncover piece by piece. Newspaper clippings, archival documents, and your own investigations all build toward a web of generational trauma and spectral unrest. In our preview session, the storytelling hit harder than expected—the kind of quiet horror that sticks with you.
Provocation: The Game-Changer Mechanic
The biggest addition? The provocation system.
You don’t just wait for ghosts to react—you provoke them. Using an in-game interface, players can prompt specific manifestations (disembodied voices, movements, temperature changes, etc.) using a mini-game mechanic to maximize impact. Get it right, and you’ll gather vital clues. Get it wrong, and things may escalate.
Ghosts have energy levels and “moods,” meaning provoking too early or too often without preparation can put your investigator in psychological danger—another new element Kip introduces to raise the stakes.
The Manor: A Character in Itself
The game’s entire story unfolds inside a massive, four-story mansion with over 30 rooms. Yes, that’s a lot to explore—but it’s not all thrown at you at once. Ghost activity is chapter-based, so players focus their investigations on specific areas before unlocking new ones. This makes the scale feel more manageable and rewards methodical playstyles.
It’s not about quick scares; it’s about dread that builds. One moment you’re collecting EMF data, the next you’re in the middle of a full-body apparition reenacting its final, violent moment.
Our Review in Brief
While not without flaws—navigation can be overwhelming, and the interface takes getting used to—Among The Whispers – Provocation is a thoughtfully designed ghost-hunting sim that values immersion over cheap thrills. And it’s clearly made by someone who understands and loves the genre.
✅ What We Loved:
- Deeper narrative integration with ghosts and their lives
- Provocation adds strategic depth and surprise moments
- Rich, atmospheric environments and audio
- Massive replayability with randomized ghost behavior
❌ What Could Be Polished:
- Interface and tool-switching can feel clunky at times
- Some mechanics lack clarity on first use
- Navigation might be tough for new players
Developer Interview Highlights: Kip on Inspiration, Systems, and the Future of Ghost Sims
We spoke with Kip, the solo developer behind D&A Studios, about the creation of Among The Whispers – Provocation, what makes it different from other paranormal sims, and where things are heading next. Here are some key takeaways from our conversation, plus a few bonus insights we didn’t expect:
🔍 On the Evolution from Conrad Stevenson’s Paranormal P.I.:
“That game was my first real test of the genre. It showed me there’s a huge audience for slower, more investigative ghost hunting. With Among The Whispers, I wanted to take what worked—like using real-world paranormal tools—and expand it with more depth, more emotion, and more unpredictability.”
👻 On the Provocation System:
“Provocation is designed to simulate the actual risks that come with antagonizing a spirit. It’s not just about getting a reaction—it’s about pushing your luck. Some ghosts respond emotionally. Some lie. Some lash out. You have to read the room, literally.”
🧱 On Designing the Manor:
“The house isn’t just a setting—it’s a character. I wanted it to feel lived in, decayed, and complicated. Each room has a reason to exist in the story. Even the placement of furniture or scattered documents contributes to the lore. I think people will pick up on that during deeper playthroughs.”
🔁 On Replayability:
“Randomization is subtle but impactful. Ghosts don’t always behave the same way, and their stories might surface in a different order. That lets players take their time and still get something fresh on a second or third playthrough.”
📅 On What’s Next:
“This is just the beginning. I want to keep building this universe. There are more locations, more stories, and more investigators to explore. My long-term vision is to offer a collection of deeply personal ghost stories—each one unique, grounded in emotion, and mechanically interesting.”
🧠 Bonus Dev Notes:
What Inspired the Lore?: “Old stories from real estate case files, unsolved mysteries, and honestly, Reddit threads. The ghost stories people tell casually often feel more real than any movie.”
Favorite Tool: “The parabolic mic. There’s something really eerie about hearing a ghost whisper in a direction you weren’t expecting.”
Hardest Feature to Balance: “Ghost aggression. I wanted to avoid traditional jump scares but still give players consequences for bad calls. Making that scary but fair was tricky.”
Among The Whispers – Provocation: Among The Whispers – Provocation isn’t just another ghost game. It’s a love letter to patient, atmospheric horror with a focus on narrative and simulation. If you liked Paranormal P.I., Phasmophobia, or The Mortuary Assistant—but wanted a more intimate, lore-rich solo experience—this should be on your radar. The game launches tomorrow on Steam, and based on what we played, it’s well worth checking out. Don’t blink—or you might miss the ghost standing right behind you. – Obsidian
