Bureau of Contacts Review (Early Access) | Haunting Fun, Scares Not Included
Bureau of Contacts is a new horror game where players must investigate paranormal activities and exorcise intelligent ghosts. Read our review to see what it did well, what it didn't do well, and if it's worth buying.
Bureau of Contacts Review Overview
What is Bureau of Contacts?
In Bureau of Contacts, you play as an agent tasked with hunting ghosts and uncovering supernatural entities in terrifying locations. This 1-4 player co-op horror game challenges you and your fellow agents to navigate through horrifying areas, track down intelligent ghosts, and communicate with them to uncover their secrets. Each mission requires caution, as these entities can kill you based on your words. Explore diverse environments, encounter various ghost types, and utilize skills, magic spells, exorcism rituals, and an array of tools to confront the paranormal. Trust among teammates is crucial, as personal objectives can conflict with the group's safety.
Bureau of Contacts features:
⚫︎ First Person Horror Game
⚫︎ Trade and Storage System
⚫︎ Different Types of Ghosts
⚫︎ AI Ghost Chat
⚫︎ 1-4 Multiplayer
⚫︎ Exorcism Ritual
⚫︎ Investigate Paranormal Activities
For more gameplay details, read everything we know about Bureau of Contacts's gameplay and story.
 Steam |
Bureau of Contacts Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
 Unique Ghost Hunting Game Imposing Sanity Meter Impressive Investigative Work Fascinating AI Ghost Chat |
Mediocre Scare Factor Only 4 Inventory Slots Confusing Map Layout |
Bureau of Contacts Overall Score - 80/100
Bureau of Contacts delivers a unique and engaging ghost hunting experience with its detailed investigative mechanics and immersive atmosphere. While it excels in many areas, including gameplay and value for money, it falls short in delivering a truly terrifying experience and could benefit from improved storytelling and more intuitive map design. Nonetheless, it remains a solid entry in the horror genre, offering plenty of replayability and innovation.
Bureau of Contacts Story - 7/10
The story begins with players as employees of the Bureau of Contacts, assigned to investigate anomalies and exorcise ghosts. This premise sets the stage for a narrative where each ghost has its own backstory, requiring players to uncover who they were in life, how they died, and what happened to their remains. This aspect adds depth and engagement, although the game could benefit from more robust storytelling to further enrich the narrative experience.
Bureau of Contacts Gameplay - 8/10
Despite occasional disorientation, Bureau of Contacts excels in delivering a captivating ghost hunting experience. The game lives up to its promise of paranormal discovery, offering a variety of tools and mechanics to investigate and exorcise ghosts. The investigative gameplay is intricate and rewarding, requiring players to gather evidence and communicate with ghosts, making each playthrough unique and engaging.
Bureau of Contacts Visuals - 8/10
The graphics in Bureau of Contacts are impressive, creating an eerie atmosphere that enhances the horror experience. The environments are well-designed, complementing the game's dark and foreboding tone. Although at the time of writing there is only one map to explore, the area is detailed and atmospheric, drawing players into the world of paranormal investigation.
Bureau of Contacts Audio - 8/10
While not groundbreaking, the audio design in Bureau of Contacts effectively supports the game's ambiance. The environmental sounds and ghostly noises contribute to the overall tension and immersion. The AI ghost chat feature is particularly noteworthy, adding a dynamic auditory element that enhances player interactions with the supernatural.
Bureau of Contacts Value for Money - 9/10
At $7.99, Bureau of Contacts offers substantial replayability, whether playing solo or with friends. The game's depth and variety of investigative mechanics ensure that players will find plenty to explore and enjoy. The anticipation for future updates and content upon full release further adds to the game's value, making it a worthwhile investment for horror game enthusiasts.
Bureau of Contacts Review: Haunting Fun, Scares Not Included
If you've ever played Phasmophobia, then you will feel right at home with Bureau of Contacts. The game takes players on an immersive exploration where documenting and gathering evidence of paranormal activities is key. One of the standout aspects of the game is the lack of predictable patterns in ghost behavior. The game dynamically responds to the choices and words spoken by players, increasing the difficulty and unpredictability, which keeps the gameplay fresh and engaging.
As a horror game junkie, I judge a game by whether it activates my freeze response—if I feel so scared that I don’t want to continue playing, I know the game has succeeded. Unfortunately, Bureau of Contacts did not reach this level of terror for me. While the game has its moments of tension, it doesn't evoke the deep-seated fear that other horror games in the genre manage to do. This is particularly notable given that the game’s selling point is its identity as a horror game, not a parody.
The most outstanding feature for me is the use of AI. This feature, while not inherently scary, can create some truly interesting events and outcomes. The AI ghost chat system allows for real-time interaction with ghosts, adding a unique and personal touch to each encounter. The ghosts respond to player inquiries in ways that can be both intriguing and unsettling, making every investigation feel unique. This dynamic interaction is a game-changer, adding layers of depth to the ghost-hunting experience that few other games can match.
Exploration is another highlight of the game, especially when playing with friends. The cooperative aspect of exploring haunted locations and working together to gather evidence and perform rituals adds a layer of fun and camaraderie.
However, the game does lack the intense scare factor that some might expect from a horror title. Much of the expedition involves aimlessly wandering around a single map, completing tasks such as locating fuses for the electricity box and gathering items for rituals. These tasks, while engaging, can feel repetitive and detract from the overall horror experience. The sense of dread that typically accompanies horror games is somewhat diminished, which might disappoint those looking for a truly terrifying experience.
The game's mechanics are designed to keep players on their toes. The imposing sanity meter, for example, adds a constant pressure to avoid the dark and stay aware of ghost traps. This feature forces players to think strategically about their movements and actions, adding a layer of complexity to the gameplay. However, the limitation of only four inventory slots can be frustrating. While it adds realism by restricting the number of items players can carry, it often disrupts the flow of gameplay, especially when managing essential tools and items simultaneously.
Visually, Bureau of Contacts does a commendable job of creating an eerie atmosphere. The graphics are impressive, with detailed environments that contribute to the sense of unease. The dimly lit corridors, abandoned rooms, and subtle visual effects all work together to create a setting that feels both immersive and unsettling. However, the game could push its visual design further to enhance the horror elements, perhaps through more varied and disturbing ghost designs or more dynamic environmental changes.
Audio plays a crucial role in any horror game, and Bureau of Contacts is no exception. While the audio design is not groundbreaking, it effectively supports the game's atmosphere. The environmental sounds, from creaking sounds to footsteps other than your own, contribute to the overall tension. The AI ghost chat feature adds an additional auditory layer, making interactions with ghosts more impressive and exciting. However, there is room for improvement in creating more distinctive and memorable soundscapes that could heighten the horror experience.
Despite its shortcomings, Bureau of Contacts is definitely a game I would recommend trying with a group of friends. Its innovative use of AI and engaging cooperative gameplay offer a lot of potential. While it needs further development and refinement to reach its full potential, it already shows great promise as a unique and enjoyable horror game. The anticipation for future updates and content upon full release further adds to the game's appeal. With some fine-tuning, Bureau of Contacts could become a standout title in the horror genre, offering a blend of investigation, strategy, and supernatural thrills that will keep players coming back for more.
Pros of Bureau of Contacts
| Things Bureau of Contacts Got Right |
|---|
|
Unique Ghost Hunting Game Imposing Sanity Meter Impressive Investigative Work Fascinating AI Ghost Chat |
Unique Ghost Hunting Game
Bureau of Contacts stands out with its immersive ghost hunting experience. Players explore eerie environments, collect evidence, and piece together clues to identify the type of ghost haunting the area. The game requires players to communicate with ghosts to uncover personal details, adding depth to the exorcism process. This unique approach enhances the gameplay, making it a refreshing entry in the horror genre
Imposing Sanity Meter
The game features a sanity meter that adds a layer of tension and urgency. Players must avoid staying in the dark for too long, as it drains their sanity. Encountering ghost traps also negatively impacts sanity levels. This mechanic effectively heightens the suspense, keeping players on edge throughout their investigations.
Impressive Investigative Work
Bureau of Contacts excels in its investigative gameplay. Players must accurately assess evidence and narrow down possibilities using tools like EMF readers, temperature sensors, writing samples, and UV runes. The process of determining the specific type of ghost from a broad range of possibilities is engaging and rewarding, emphasizing critical thinking and attention to detail.
Fascinating AI Ghost Chat
One of the standout features is the AI ghost chat system. Players can communicate with ghosts, and the AI listens, understands, and responds based on what the players say. This interaction adds a realistic and dynamic element to the gameplay, making each encounter with a ghost more personal and immersive.
Cons of Bureau of Contacts
| Things That Bureau of Contacts Can Improve |
|---|
|
Mediocre Scare Factor Only 4 Inventory Slots Confusing Map Layout |
Mediocre Scare Factor
While the game excels in its investigative mechanics, it falls short in delivering a truly terrifying experience. The focus on investigation overshadows the horror elements, resulting in fewer genuine scares compared to other games in the genre. Players looking for intense horror may find this aspect lacking.
Only 4 Inventory Slots
The game limits players to four inventory slots, which is frustrating. While it adds a touch of realism by restricting the number of items players can carry, it is rather inconvenient, especially when trying to manage essential items like fuses for the electricity box alongside other tools. This limitation can disrupt the flow of gameplay and add unnecessary frustration.
Confusing Map Layout
Currently, the game features only one map, which is quite confusing to navigate. While the perpetual feeling of being lost might be intentional to enhance the eerie atmosphere, it often hinders rather than helps. Players may find themselves frustrated by the map's layout, detracting from the overall experience.
Is Bureau of Contacts Worth It?
You Better Boo-lieve It Is!
Despite not reaching the peak of terror, Bureau of Contacts is an eerily immersive experience that excels in innovative AI interactions and cooperative ghost hunting fun. Its intriguing investigative gameplay and atmospheric design make it a standout in the horror genre. For the price of $7.99, it offers substantial replayability and potential for growth. So, gather your friends, prepare your wits, and dive into the spectral mysteries that await.
| Platform | Price |
|---|---|
| Steam |
$7.99 |
Bureau of Contacts FAQ
Why is it called Bureau of Contacts?
The name "Bureau of Contacts" was chosen through a naming contest held in Mirowin’s Discord channel. Participants generated name variants and then voted, ultimately selecting this title to reflect the game's focus on agents of the Bureau who interact with paranormal entities.
Will there be other languages besides English?
Currently, the primary goal was to test the technical components of the game, as integrating AI in this manner is unprecedented. English was chosen for its international popularity. If the game receives positive feedback and strong sales, Mirowin plans to add support for all popular languages.
Will there be VR support?
For now, Bureau of Contacts is a PC game. However, VR support is planned for the full release according to Mirowin if everything goes smoothly.
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Bureau of Contacts Product Information
 |
|
| Title | BUREAU OF CONTACTS |
|---|---|
| Release Date | June 20, 2024 |
| Developer | MIROWIN |
| Publisher | MIROWIN |
| Supported Platforms | PC (Steam) |
| Genre | Horror, Co-Op |
| Number of Players | 1-4 |
| ESRB Rating | RP |
| Official Website | Bureau of Contacts Website |
