Phantom Doctrine Reviews
Phantom Doctrine is a game I was excited about, and that excitement had some serious staying power for the first few hours
It's nice to see a studio try to tackle genres with hugely successful games such as XCOM while doing their own thing. I don't think CreativeForge have made a good effort with Phantom Doctrine , but they do fall short from being able to make a run at taking the crown from the big boys. I'm sure the study will take what they've learned from this project and improve on things for either a sequel or a new take on the genre.
My executive summary is simple: If you like tactical squad-based games, the Cold War, or a good spy thriller, make acquiring a copy of Phantom Doctrine a priority.
Lack of a proper tutorial and some user interface annoyances aside, Phantom Doctrine takes amazing cues from Hitman and Jagged Alliance, and turns turn based tactics into a rewarding experience, be it completing or failing a mission. A must have for turn based fans.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
We aren’t fans of how often “addictive” is used as a synonym for fun, but thanks to its loop of world map organisation and tactical missions, Phantom Doctrine is both.
Despite the few bugs here and there, Phantom Doctrine represents an ingenious use of the XCOM formula in an enticing setting with a plot that’s as deep as you want it to be. With an excellent soundtrack, an intentionally drab yet appealing art style and a charismatic charm to it, it’s certainly a better-than-average turn based game. If you’re a fan of XCOM and are up for the hefty challenge this game presents, even on its easiest settings, this game will appeal to you. If your patience runs short and you want your fun to be more immediate, leave this game skulking in the shadows.
More The Americans than James Bond, Phantom Doctrine takes the turn-based tactical genre and infuses it with Cold War espionage.
So in the end would I recommend Phantom Doctrine to fans of tactical or strategy games? Absolutely.
Phantom Doctrine demands the patience and calculation of a cold-blooded assassin, but the methodical style of play is rewarding
Phantom Doctrine has a lot of competition in the broader turn-based strategy genre and its unique Cold War-era setting isn't quite enough to really set it apart when all the cards are down. While the setting is great and fresh, the generally lackluster gameplay and mismatch of mechanics hold it back from feeling as clean as it should. Its best moments seem to happen almost completely at random or by accident instead of by design.
Yet the gameplay and plot never lived up to its potential, and my expectations slowly lowered themselves into a shallow grave as the gameplay, initially full of potential, let me down through repetitive gameplay and a cliché plot.
Phantom Doctrine will pull you in so hard you won't even notice when the night has gone by. It provides lots of fun thanks to some cool ideas and good implementation, but at the same time, it can also be very frustrating. If not for the cheating AI, we would have been taking about a truly wonderful game.
Review in Polish | Read full review
Phantom Doctrine did come out of nowhere to become a truly enjoyable and memorable experience.
Between the engaging base management and tense espionage missions, Phantom Doctrine is genuinely excellent at times. However, the frustrating combat and often unhelpful tutorials slide this tactical-stealth release down a few pegs.
Phantom Doctrine hasn't lived up to all the expectations I had placed on it. Despite having a very well elaborated idea, high production values and a high level of ambience, it fails in simple things. I'm sure that with a little work from the developers it will go as high as it deserves.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
You should play the Phantom Doctrine. Even if you are not a devoted fan of the genre. The pre-release version of game had a lot of bugs, but some have already been fixed. The climate of Cold War and spy cinema is a big advantage.
Review in Polish | Read full review
Given its setting, the high complexity of its systems and the quality in which they are implemented, Phantom Doctrine is a great game. Even with some minor issues in the narrative, the excessive grind and very slow loadings, the game absorbs and challenges you in the right amount.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
It could be great XCOM style turn-based strategy from Cold War era. Management of operations is great, but combat with absurd ballistics is disappointment.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
This tactical espionage game gives little chance to hone your skills, leaving you dependent on luck
An inspired XCOM clone, whose spy movie atmosphere inspires an emphasis on stealth rather than action – which is a good job given the somewhat flawed combat.