Currently available via Steam's Early Access program, Demonologist is an innovative take on the co-op horror genre. Players can use a variety of tools to attempt to hunt down, identify, communicate with, and ultimately exorcise a number of different types of ghosts, many of which have their origins in the traditional folklore of various cultures around the world.
The game also features a number of novel, immersion-enhancing mechanics, such as allowing players to interact with the environment in a number of maps by using their microphone. And, it's also really terrifying. This list covers eight of the scariest kinds of ghosts in Demonologist.
8 Myling
As if regular pyromania isn't a scary enough concept on its own, Demonologist has its own equivalent in the form of the Myling. Not only does the Myling like fire, but it's drawn to it, and tends to be less hostile when the player is holding a candle.
However, the Myling can't be totally pacified, and will actually extinguish fires before starting a hunt, which is pretty scary. Players can identify a Myling with Ectoplasm, the Spirit Box, and how it behaves in freezing temperatures, as long as they don't get caught out in the dark first.
7 Abaddon
If players are looking to go full Exorcist (which, for those not in the know, is one of the best-regarded but also most controversial horror films of all time) when playing Demonologist, then they're sure to love hunting the Abaddon.
For pretty much anyone else, this is nothing less than a terrifying experience. The Abaddon is incredibly aggressive, but will ease off is players are wielding a crucifix. Naturally, players need to use a variety of tools during a hunt and can't cling onto their crucifix the entire time, so tracking down this type of ghost can feel like a race against time to switch between using different items without getting punished for taking too long to do so.
6 Goryo
While perhaps not as likely to spike players' adrenaline through the roof as some of the other ghost types in Demonologist, hunting a Goryo can be an incredibly eerie and creepy experience.
This is because the Goryo will only interact with ESG if there aren't any players nearby. In doing so, it creates a dynamic full of tension and anxiety on a level on par with some of the best co-op horror games out there, as players can be left feeling like they're completely in the dark with regards to where the ghost might be or when it might strike next. Goryo can also be identified with Fingerprints and EMF 5.
5 Yurei
Some of the ghosts in Demonologist definitely like to play hardball, and the Yurei is one of them. This type of spectre actually becomes more aggressive against larger groups, so anyone playing the game in single-player will have an easier time with them.
Those on co-op, though, will have a different experience entirely (hunting them is about as terrifying as anything in the strongest horror titles the gaming world has seen). The Yurei can be identified using EMG 5, ESG, and Ectoplasm, making it arguably one of the more finicky ghosts to actually be able to successfully hunt in the first place.
4 Deogen
Few ghost types in Demonologist ramp up their aggression in the way that the Deogen is capable of. Basically, the Deogon is less reactive and hostile the further away players are from it. This can essentially lull players into a false sense of security, believing that they're in little danger or are dealing with a less dangerous type of ghost (a clever mechanic that shows how Demonologist is capable of creating scares as compelling as some of the best horror titles ever).
However, the closer they get, the more intently the Deogon will start pursuing them. Players can identify the Deogon by finding Fingerprints, Ectoplasm, or through the use of the ESG.
3 Guipo
Having to hunt a Guipo is usually very tense, frightening, and, at times, confusing, too. This is due, in part, to the fact that fans of Demonologist are still figuring out how this particular type of ghost operates, which, frankly, makes it even more frightening.
What is known, though, is that the Guipo can be identified via ESG, Ectoplasm, and the Spirit Box. Knowing this is half the battle, but players still have their work cut out for them in dealing with what is, in any case, a very intimidating ghost type, and about as scary as many of the enemies in some of the best horror games out there.
2 Agash
Of all the ghost types in Demonologist, few have as fascinating and, frankly, creepy interplay with the environment as the Agash can. The trademark of the Agash is that it's most active in freezing temperatures; when it decides to hunt, players can actually see its breath turn to vapor in the air, an effect almost reminiscent of Lovecraftian horror titles.
Other forms of evidence that players can use to identify an Agash include Ectoplasm and Fingerprints. To make matters worse, Agash are incredibly fast, which can make them incredibly difficult to get away from when they do decide to pursue the player.
1 Demon
Appropriately, the Demon class of ghost in Demonologist is easily one of the game's scariest and most anxiety-inducing types to hunt, being absolutely on par with rival title Phasmophobia's scariest apparitions. Not only is the Demon generally not very responsive to the player's attempts to interact with it, but it becomes incredibly aggressive once it decides to start its hunt.
Players can attempt to identify a Demon with the easel, Ectoplasm, or by how it behaves in freezing temperatures.
Demonologist is out now on PC via Steam Early Access.