I wasn’t prepared to become as engrossed in *Phasmophobia* as I have been in the last few years. When the game initially debuted, it came across as a light-hearted multiplayer experience ideally suited for streamers or those who didn’t approach horror with much seriousness. However, the more I engaged with the game, the more I found I was mistaken. The Kinetic team has consistently focused on creating a true horror experience—whether playing solo or with companions.

Following the recent addition of the Point Hope Lighthouse map and the significantly reimagined Bleasdale and Grafton Farmhouses, we now have the thrilling new Nell’s Diner—a straightforward yet profoundly atmospheric map that injects a lot of energy without overwhelming gamers.

One aspect I appreciated about the *Phasmophobia* Point Hope map was its exploration of verticality, and I found maps that utilized somewhat traditional designs to be more intriguing than simply crafting haunted houses. Nell’s Diner embodies this design ethos. From the instant you exit your mobile ghost-hunting unit, an unsettling ambiance pervades the air.

The sound of flickering fluorescent lights disrupts the hush as a gigantic neon sign hovers above. An abandoned police car stands outside the diner, casting the front of the establishment in a swirl of red and blue hues. Once you step inside, players are taken back to a previous era. Between two dining spaces adorned with crimson leather booths lies a front counter marked by signboards displaying daily specials and long-neglected coffee pots.

Players can gain access to the rear of Nell’s via the kitchen, which has an ominous atmosphere. A central island grill is encircled by prep counters, giving the space a claustrophobic feel and offering few hiding spots during a hunt. Beyond the kitchen are the staff area, manager’s office, and maintenance rooms.

From the dining space, a brief hallway links to the customer restrooms and staff area. Though the layout is modest, it crafts a maze-like impression of distinct rooms and interconnecting corridors. Since Nell’s closely resembles an authentic diner—speaking from my experience working in one—it also restricts the number of hiding spots players have come to anticipate in the *Phasmophobia* experience.

### “…little signs and newspapers scattered throughout the building reference other locations and occurrences within the *Phasmophobia* lore.”

That’s what makes Nell’s Diner remarkable. At first glance, it’s a fairly uncomplicated map—size-wise, it’s just slightly larger than *Phasmophobia’s* inaugural map, 10 Tanglewood Drive. Yet, its design emulating a real restaurant renders navigation somewhat disorienting—especially in the darkness. It fosters a feeling of continual dread and anxiety where, despite its small size, there’s hardly anywhere to flee and even fewer places to conceal oneself.

Similar to Point Hope and the renovated Farmhouses, the environmental detail and the array of interactable objects in Nell’s are exceptional. A solitary jukebox plays a single rock ‘n roll tune, arcade machines illuminate the title screen, accompanied by thematic music, and small signs and newspapers dispersed throughout the building allude to other locales and events within the *Phasmophobia* lore.

I’ve mentioned previously that an [effective horror game](https://store.steampowered.com/app/739630/Phasmophobia/) doesn’t necessitate grand spectacles—just captivating gameplay and a strong atmosphere—and with each update, Kinetic reinforces its understanding of this. Nell’s Diner is a compact yet incredibly engaging new map that showcases the team’s dedication not only to crafting a robust horror game, but also to developing an experience that is intriguing, visually unique, and continually evolving.

Additionally, there’s a particularly eerie sign for something called “Cyric’s Carnival,” and I am DEEPLY thrilled about the prospect that it could be an upcoming map.