As longtime fans of Phasmophobia, we’ve been waiting (and hoping) for a return to what made this co-op ghost hunting game feel fresh, creepy, and full of dread. For a while now, the scare factor that once made every mission feel tense has slowly faded. But with the newly announced Development Preview #19, and a confirmed June 24 release date for the Phasmophobia Chronicle Update, it looks like Kinetic Games is finally steering the game back toward its horror roots.
Let’s break down what’s coming — and why it might just be the comeback this beloved ghost game needs.
🕯️ Grafton Farmhouse Gets a Full Overhaul
The classic Grafton map has been rebuilt from the ground up. The rework gives it the same treatment Bleasdale received earlier this year, with tighter room designs, creepier interiors, and now — a crowded attic full of sheet-covered furniture. From its boarded doors to its shattered walls and looming chandelier, Grafton feels darker, heavier, and more unsettling. Perfect.
Whether you’re sneaking through a re-themed bedroom or staring down the twisted history of this once-thriving home, the new layout adds atmosphere and narrative weight — something the game has slowly been needing more of.
📸 Chronicle: Media is Your New Mission
A major feature in this update is the new Media system. No longer will random pictures and audio clips suffice. Investigators will now fill a journal with 13 unique types of evidence captures: EMF spikes, object interactions, ghost forms, and more. It’s a smart way to raise the stakes — forcing players to actively hunt for proof that’s diverse and dangerous to obtain.
High-tier evidence brings higher rewards. If you manage to snap a ghost mid-attack? That’s worth serious cash. If you survive.
🎙️ New Equipment: The Sound Recorder
Chronicle introduces a brand-new piece of gear: the Sound Recorder. Available early on (Level 4), this tool captures audio evidence like ghostly whispers through the Parabolic Mic or responses from the Spirit Box. It works in real time and requires you to stay within a precise range to successfully record paranormal events — creating new tension as you balance survival with documentation.
This is also the first fresh equipment since the Ascension overhaul, and a much-needed change to add variety to the usual item rotation.
🧠 Bigger Rewards for Smarter Ghost Hunters
The revamped Media system ties directly into the new Reward Multiplier, meaning your contract payout will now reflect the depth and difficulty of your investigation. The better your media, the more you earn. With new tiers, bonuses for using upgraded gear, and dozens of subtle sounds and interactions to capture, there’s a whole new layer of progression and player skill being added to the game.
😱 Is the Scare Factor Coming Back?
This is the big question — and from what we’ve seen so far, it’s leaning yes. Between the chilling new sound design teased in the preview, the darker map reworks, and the focus on media-driven risk-reward gameplay, Chronicle feels like a return to form. One that focuses less on collectibles and leveling, and more on ghost hunting as a tense, unpredictable survival game.
It’s no secret the horror vibes have faded lately, but this could be the update that brings them storming back.
📅 Mark Your Calendar
Chronicle launches June 24, 2025 on all platforms. Expect full patch notes and feature reveals closer to release. For now, if you want to stay up to date — or get involved with bug reporting or feedback — be sure to join the official Phasmophobia Discord.
And if you’re like us? It might be time to dust off the thermometer, find your favorite flashlight, and prepare for things to get scary again.
Happy hunting. 👻
