I am consistently thrilled by the array of captivating releases emerging from Steam’s indie co-op horror genre, and the most recent addition to this collection, Remnant Records, injects new life into the well-established ghost-hunting framework. Unlike its predecessors, Remnant Records manages to evoke genuine concern for the spirits and the lives they once led.
Phasmophobia, a timeless classic since its Early Access launch over three years ago, has maintained its popularity with a dedicated player base and regular updates.
Its simplicity, entertainment value, and tension-building capabilities make it a standout title. Nevertheless, amidst the influx of Phasmophobia-inspired games, a select few have dared to introduce innovative elements to the proven formula, earning themselves a coveted place in my circle of gaming companions.
Devour, with its gradually intensifying sense of dread, stands out prominently. The VR-compatible Forewarned, incorporating PvP mechanics and rich lore, is another favorite for its unique approach.
Now, Noctiluca Studio’s Remnant Records seems poised to extend our ghost-hunting adventures even further. Recently, Lethal Company achieved remarkable success on Steam, surpassing both Baldur’s Gate 3 and Resident Evil 4 as the platform’s highest-rated release of 2023.
Among the mentioned games, Remnant Records shares the closest resemblance to Phasmophobia. In this title, you and up to three friends are enlisted by a paranormal agency to investigate haunted residences, offering classic ghostbusting fun with friends. However, Remnant Records introduces intriguing twists to this familiar setup.
The game’s narrative premise emphasizes the need to “first understand” spirits before attempting to exorcise them. This entails exploring environments with your friends to discover clues left behind by the ghosts, such as diaries, newspaper clippings, or other “unusual objects.”
According to the Steam description, the objective is to “understand the person they were before their death” by gathering items closely related to them. This narrative depth adds emotional weight to the gameplay and a feature applauded in many Steam reviews for humanizing the spirits.
Another notable aspect of Remnant Records is the unique roles assigned to each squad member, altering the gameplay mechanics. For instance, the team bodyguard is responsible for breaking down doors, while the medium connects most closely with the world of the departed.
Having recently emerged from Early Access with overwhelmingly positive Steam reviews, Remnant Records already boasts four distinct roles, six maps, six ghosts, numerous perks, and cosmetics for character customization, along with “an infinity of procedurally generated stories.”
While future updates are likely, the current content provides more than enough for players to delve into in the meantime.
