A new thrill from PIT Games and Serafini Productions
When we talk about psychological horror, there’s a fine line between suggestion and genuine tension. Ghost Frequency, developed by PIT Games and published by Serafini Productions, moves exactly along that edge, steering clear of monsters and clichés to explore a more realistic and insidious territory: that of paranormal investigations inspired by (more or less) true events. Available on Steam starting May 26 and launching on Nintendo Switch on May 29, the game offers a short but intense first-person horror experience, featuring a bodycam-style view that enhances the sense of immersion and claustrophobia.
A story grounded in reality
At the heart of the game lies a rather unique collaboration with the PIT – Paranormal Investigation Team, an Italian duo with years of experience in real-world ghost hunting. This isn’t just a loose source of inspiration: Ghost Frequency faithfully recreates their actual Ghost Finder app, making it the central mechanic of the gameplay experience.
The protagonist is Mark, a seasoned ghost hunter who ventures into an abandoned house deep in the woods to uncover what happened to his missing colleagues, Lisa and Ben, who vanished during a previous expedition. Supporting him from outside is Emily, his partner, who stays in contact via radio and guides the player through dark corridors, static-filled signals, and eerie manifestations.
The story doesn’t unfold through cutscenes or lengthy dialogue. Instead, it emerges through exploration and the use of investigative tools. This approach works well: the atmosphere builds gradually, piece by piece, sustained by the constant feeling that something is lurking just out of sight.
Investigating the dark: gameplay and tools
From a gameplay standpoint, Ghost Frequency delivers a relatively linear but densely packed experience, designed to be short yet leave a mark. Exploration takes place inside the house, a maze-like and repetitive environment filled with wardrobes, beds, and an absurd number of drawers. At first, this design choice might feel odd, but it actually serves a purpose: to disorient the player, amplified by scarce lighting and a flashlight with, you guessed it, a limited battery.
That’s when the Ghost Finder App comes into play, serving as the core of the game. It features three essential tools:
- EMF Detector: Detects fluctuations in electromagnetic fields, highlighting potential paranormal hotspots.
- EVP Recorder: Captures ghostly voices and sounds on audio frequencies beyond human hearing.
- Infrared Thermal Camera: Reveals invisible entities through anomalous thermal footprints.
The player must use these tools in sequence to gather evidence, place cameras around the house, examine recovered documents, and respond to increasingly intense paranormal activity.
Jump scares do appear, but Ghost Frequency leans more on slow-building anxiety, distant noises, fleeting figures, shifting environments that subtly evolve over time. Some moments truly land: for instance, when your flashlight dies and you have to navigate using only a lighter while listening for directions over the radio.
Short, but not shallow
Although it’s a side project compared to the more ambitious BrokenLore series, which we’ve already covered in Unfollow, Low, and Don’t Watch, Ghost Frequency proves surprisingly solid. Yes, it’s short: there’s even an achievement for finishing it in under 20 minutes. But with a bit of exploration, a few detours, and a healthy dose of caution, a first playthrough can easily last an hour and a half or more.
There are no save points or checkpoints. The experience unfolds in a single sitting, something that, paradoxically, enhances the immersion. Interrupting the session can break the tension, while seeing it through in one go ensures a coherent and gripping narrative buildup.
The ending (no spoilers here) leaves space for speculation. Some clues suggest this could be a prologue to something bigger, perhaps tying into the BrokenLore universe. Others hint at a self-contained experiment, meant to unsettle you briefly and vanish like a whisper in the dark.
For those who love being spooked
Ghost Frequency doesn’t cater to players looking for combat-heavy horror or monsters to blast away. It offers a focused, almost intimate experience built around atmosphere and creeping dread. Sure, the gameplay mechanics are simple, and the environments tend to repeat themselves, but the game still manages to hit its mark, especially for players open to suggestion.
Let’s be honest: stepping into that house thinking, “It’s my turn now”, watching EMF levels spike as your palms start to sweat, hearing faint whispers and seeing objects fly while replaying EVP recordings… those things stick with you long after the screen fades to black.
Final thoughts
With its modest price and compact duration, Ghost Frequency plays like an interactive experiment, part documentary, part psychological horror. If you’ve enjoyed the chilling atmosphere of BrokenLore, or if you’ve been following the PIT’s work, you’ll likely find this small title worth your time.
It doesn’t try to be Game of the Year, and that’s fine. What it does, it does well: it unsettles, it pulls you in, and in a few well-timed moments, it even makes you whisper a sincere “Wow.” And isn’t that exactly what we ask of a good horror experience?
If you want to know more:
Serafini Productions Official Website
