EDIT: 10th November 2024
This game had a lot of potential when it was in Early Access but unfortunately little seems to have been changed gameplay wise, a lot of focus has been put into cosmetics and aesthetics such as new maps and new lobby items.

They've also upped their minimum system requirements and even though I exceed them, I constantly stutter and crash. Pretty much can't get past the loading lobby let alone into an actual game. Quick search shows a lot of people have been experiencing this for over a year now. Disappointing - was pretty keen to see this compete with Phasmophobia, but it's fallen flat.

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8th April 2023. For an Early Access game I do believe this is decent to play with friends and is worth the price for some laughs and something to do as a group. My detailed thoughts;

CONS:
- Economy is very punishing, you earn pennies while everything is costly (one candle is $600 and one match where you guess the ghost correctly without completing any additional objectives pays $600).

- Grind for the next map and game difficulty option is significant

- Becomes repetitive very fast

- I can’t tell if there’s any form of item insurance for when you provide the equipment but die. If there is, it’s not anything noticeable.

- Hunting doesn’t seem to have much logic to it at all. The spawning and indication a hunt is starting is strange, and there is little to no hiding, all you can do is run. I can’t tell if I’ve just run for so long that the hunt coincidentally ended or if I’ve successfully escaped. Some ghost types will hunt endlessly while locked onto a target, there are instances where this is guaranteed death if you are targeted and do not have a Crucifix (which is hard to afford).

- Jumpscares are scripted and after a few matches the shock value wears off

- Most if not all ghosts have the exact same abilities as the ones from Phasmophobia, just shuffled to different names eg. a Hantu in Phasmophobia is an Agash in Demonologist, a Deogen in Phasmophobia is an Iblis in Demonologist. They behave exactly the same in terms of speeding up in colder temps and slowing down once close to/constantly sensing the player.

- Lots of AI art and UE Store Assets

- Little variety in the optional objectives

- It’s easier to just not touch the Cursed Objects as they provide little to no gameplay value, they will eat your sanity, and are again the same as Phasmo. There are no Cursed Objects unique to Demonologist thus far.

- Some objects seem a bit finicky to trigger, you typically identify the first two pieces of evidence quickly and then stand around trying to trigger a 3rd.

PROS:
+ I love the puzzle/riddle aspect to unlock areas of the map or to trigger special events and I hope this is prominent in future updates.

+ The map sizes are good and new-player friendly, it is quite easy to narrow down the ghost room

+ Maps have great ambience

+ Graphics are stunning

+ Equipment is pretty standard for ghost hunting games but is visually unique. The addition of the Ecto Glass is nice.

+ Additional objectives and ability to exorcise the ghost is enjoyable

+ Additional objectives are unique to each map and will require you to interact with each map differently

+ I like that the additional objectives are sequenced. You must identify the ghost type and lock it in > complete optional objectives > exorcise the ghost.

+ Decent character customisation and the ability to decorate your lobby/buy other lobbies AKA a “saferoom”

Overall, I think this is worth a try with friends and you’ll get a few hours of fun if you’re not initially put off by the equipment grind. I’m keen to see where this goes and I do think it fills some desires that Phasmophobia players have asked for eg. more ambience and better graphics, but Phas ultimately will be where my loyalty lies for the time being. This however is a refreshing break and I do intend to play more with a group. I hope this continues to receive regular updates!

EDIT: 10th November 2024 This game had a lot of potential when it was in Early Access but unfortunately little seems to have been changed gameplay wise, a lot of focus has been put into cosmetics and aesthetics such as new maps and new lobby items. They've also upped their minimum system requirements and even though I exceed them, I constantly stutter and crash. Pretty much can't get past the loading lobby let alone into an actual game. Quick search shows a lot of people have been experiencing this for over a year now. Disappointing - was pretty keen to see this compete with Phasmophobia, but it's fallen flat. --------------------------- 8th April 2023. For an Early Access game I do believe this is decent to play with friends and is worth the price for some laughs and something to do as a group. My detailed thoughts; CONS: - Economy is very punishing, you earn pennies while everything is costly (one candle is $600 and one match where you guess the ghost correctly without completing any additional objectives pays $600). - Grind for the next map and game difficulty option is significant - Becomes repetitive very fast - I can’t tell if there’s any form of item insurance for when you provide the equipment but die. If there is, it’s not anything noticeable. - Hunting doesn’t seem to have much logic to it at all. The spawning and indication a hunt is starting is strange, and there is little to no hiding, all you can do is run. I can’t tell if I’ve just run for so long that the hunt coincidentally ended or if I’ve successfully escaped. Some ghost types will hunt endlessly while locked onto a target, there are instances where this is guaranteed death if you are targeted and do not have a Crucifix (which is hard to afford). - Jumpscares are scripted and after a few matches the shock value wears off - Most if not all ghosts have the exact same abilities as the ones from Phasmophobia, just shuffled to different names eg. a Hantu in Phasmophobia is an Agash in Demonologist, a Deogen in Phasmophobia is an Iblis in Demonologist. They behave exactly the same in terms of speeding up in colder temps and slowing down once close to/constantly sensing the player. - Lots of AI art and UE Store Assets - Little variety in the optional objectives - It’s easier to just not touch the Cursed Objects as they provide little to no gameplay value, they will eat your sanity, and are again the same as Phasmo. There are no Cursed Objects unique to Demonologist thus far. - Some objects seem a bit finicky to trigger, you typically identify the first two pieces of evidence quickly and then stand around trying to trigger a 3rd. PROS: + I love the puzzle/riddle aspect to unlock areas of the map or to trigger special events and I hope this is prominent in future updates. + The map sizes are good and new-player friendly, it is quite easy to narrow down the ghost room + Maps have great ambience + Graphics are stunning + Equipment is pretty standard for ghost hunting games but is visually unique. The addition of the Ecto Glass is nice. + Additional objectives and ability to exorcise the ghost is enjoyable + Additional objectives are unique to each map and will require you to interact with each map differently + I like that the additional objectives are sequenced. You must identify the ghost type and lock it in > complete optional objectives > exorcise the ghost. + Decent character customisation and the ability to decorate your lobby/buy other lobbies AKA a “saferoom” Overall, I think this is worth a try with friends and you’ll get a few hours of fun if you’re not initially put off by the equipment grind. I’m keen to see where this goes and I do think it fills some desires that Phasmophobia players have asked for eg. more ambience and better graphics, but Phas ultimately will be where my loyalty lies for the time being. This however is a refreshing break and I do intend to play more with a group. I hope this continues to receive regular updates!