Phasmophobia’s Nell’s Diner Makes Small Maps King — And Big Maps Are Next on the Chopping Block

Why This Caught My Eye

Phasmophobia has been the quintessential “one more run” co-op horror for years, but let’s be honest: most of us default to Tanglewood. That’s why Nell’s Diner grabbed my attention immediately. Kinetic Games isn’t just dropping another location – they’re openly steering the game toward tighter, more replayable spaces and promising to make the big, beautiful maps actually playable for solo hunters. CEO Daniel Knight put it plainly: “We definitely understand that people don’t play the bigger maps as much… Tanglewood is by far the most-played map… so we’re definitely aiming towards smaller maps.” That’s not a minor tweak; that’s a philosophy shift.

Key Takeaways

• Nell’s Diner is a compact, highly interactive map built in the mold of Tanglewood – smaller, faster, scarier.
• Kinetic plans reworks for High School and Prison and is considering “Restricted” versions to improve solo accessibility.
• Tanglewood itself is getting a rework, signaling a push to keep the game fresh without bloating map scale.
• Phasmophobia remains in early access with a 1.0 roadmap aimed at 2026 – expect continued iteration, not a sudden overhaul.

Breaking Down Nell’s Diner

Nell’s Diner is essentially Phasmo’s first commercial map, and it leans into that theme hard. It’s a single-floor layout with 13 rooms (11 possible ghost rooms), no basement or attic nonsense — just tight corridors and sightlines that feed paranoia. The hook is interactivity: you can ring the cash-register bell, lob eggs at your teammates, and laugh while the ghost redecorates with pressurized cream. It’s playful, sure, but it does what Phasmo does best: lures you into a false sense of goofiness before the lights snap off and the hunt begins. After a few runs, I get why Kinetic thinks this could be “the next Tanglewood.” It’s quick to learn, brutal to master, and perfect for short sessions.

The Real Story: Accessibility vs. Scale

Phasmophobia’s big maps are awesome on paper — massive halls, creeping searches, that “we might never find the room” dread. But for solo or duo players, High School and Prison can feel like a slog. Knight said the quiet part out loud: “We’re considering making them smaller as well… That’s why we added the restricted version of Sunny Meadows.” Art director Corey Dixon added the necessary counterbalance: some players live for the sprawling hunts, so the team is chasing “a balance to be had.” The likely compromise? Restricted versions of big maps, slicing them into digestible chunks without scrapping their identity. Knight even called it: “Restricted versions are the best way to get smaller map players into the bigger maps.”

Why This Matters Now

Phasmo’s been in early access since 2020 and is eyeing a 1.0 roadmap in 2026. That’s a long runway, which can breed fatigue if updates don’t meaningfully affect how we play. Prior map reworks have proven that size and readability matter more than novelty for day-to-day players. Nell’s Diner fits the current multiplayer climate: shorter sessions, faster feedback, more emergent moments per minute. It also helps streamers — the heartbeat of Phasmo’s resurgence — by front-loading action and letting chat-friendly chaos breathe. If Kinetic can apply that philosophy to restricted big-map variants, they could revive underplayed content without abandoning the fans who love getting lost in 80 rooms of stress.

What Gamers Need to Know

Expect more small-to-medium maps and surgical reworks rather than giant new sandboxes. Tanglewood is getting a refresh, and if Sunny Meadows Restricted is the template, High School and Prison should follow with smartly cordoned-off versions. For solos, that’s huge: you’ll actually be able to learn and grind those spaces without burning an entire evening. For teams, the full-sized maps likely aren’t going away — they’ll just be options instead of obligations for progression. The only red flag: over-indexing on short maps could flatten the experience if every location becomes a Tanglewood reskin with different props. The diner’s interactivity works because it complements the fear, not because you can goof around — Kinetic needs to keep threading that needle.

Looking Ahead

Kinetic says the idea bank is full — and yes, they’re open to collaborations if the stars (and licenses) align. Knight was cautious but optimistic: “It’s hard to say right now if we’ll do that… I think it’d be really cool, and the players would be really happy.” Crossovers could be fun, but they’re not the solution to Phasmo’s biggest challenge: sustaining tension through 2026 without bloating the game. The focus on smaller, tighter, more interactive maps is the right call for the core loop. If restricted big-map variants land well, Phasmo could finally make its grandest spaces viable for everyone — not just four veterans with perfect comms and endless patience.

TL;DR

Nell’s Diner is a smart, Tanglewood-sized map that doubles down on quick, scary, and interactive hunts. Kinetic plans to rework High School and Prison and consider “Restricted” versions to make them playable for solo hunters. With 1.0 targeted for 2026, this is the kind of meaningful iteration that actually changes how we play week to week — as long as small doesn’t start to mean samey.