Paranormasight, one of my favorite horror games in the past 5 years, is finally getting a sequel. The moment I first spotted the Storyteller's fabulous silver locks and the reveal of The Mermaid's Curve in the February 5 Partner Direct Showcase, I knew I not only had to pre-order the game as soon as possible, but also use one of the best gaming headsets to play it.
The first game was a feast for the ears. It didn't have a huge sweeping orchestral score, but the audio played a big part in creating a creepy atmosphere that has me harkening to be scared a second time around, and the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless is going to be the pair I use. Bring on the nights of leaving the lights on.
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless wasn't released when I originally played Paranormasight The Seven Mysteries of Honjo in 2023, but I wish it had been. Instead, I was using an off-brand pink cat ear headset that someone had gifted me, as my funds were low and I was well into my 'everything I own must be super cute' era.
In that time since, I've returned to the game as it's only a 10-20 hour experience, and that's what cemented it as my choice for the sequel. The wind, as you play the prologue and get your bearings of how this more interactive visual novel-style gameplay works, howls around you like it's actually there. Each time the sharp twang sound of the dialogue boxes appeared I got a fright as the 40mm Neodymium drivers managed to make them sound so loud and striking in comparison to the subtle, eerie soundscape.
That's exactly what I want from a horror experience. I want to feel unease throughout every moment, and the clarity of the SteelSeries' budget cups can manage just that. When music does kick in, like the depressing, twinkly piano tunes composed by Hidenori Iwasaki, they sound just as good and just as unnerving through these cups.
You spend a lot of the first game reading documents and backgrounds on characters and locations in the 'Files' menu. The Arctis Nova 3 Wireless's ability to bring out the dissonant sounds of the piano keys and the more atmospheric parts of the soundstage meant I found it easier to read away and get more immersed in the world, almost like I was watching a classic horror film.
The headset is lightweight at just 260g too, which is a huge plus. When it comes to playing the sequel, I want to be able to get through the story and play it for hours and end without any migraines or pain. Horror just doesn't click with me as much if I can constantly be interrupted from feeling physically uncomfortable, but the elastic strap of the 3 Wireless keeps things perfectly light.
When you get down to it, there is no singular best gaming headset for horror, as any high-quality Nintendo Switch pair of cups is going to bring its own benefits to the genre. For example, donning the more premium SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is going to bring ANC to the table, which can help prevent any outside noise from disrupting the immersion caused by the developer's Xeens painterly character design and backgrounds.
It might be a bit overkill for the Switch 2, as it's $379.99 (Best Buy), which is only a $120 difference from the current $499.99 cost of the handheld itself at plenty of US retailers. But if you already have one at hand, then it's an incredible choice to play the Mermaid's Curse when it launches on February 19.
Personally, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless is my pick for exploring the depths of the visual novel later this month. And the fact its cute, cozy purple colorway contrasts with the creepy world of Paranormasight is just the cherry on top of the high-quality headset cake.
- SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless | $379.99 at Best Buy
- View all SteelSeries headsets at Best Buy
I've also rounded up the best PS5 headsets, the best PC headsets for gaming, and the best Xbox Series X headsets if the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless isn't for you.
