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Phantom Fury

Name: Comprehensive Review and Analysis of Phantom Fury
Item: Phantom Fury
Author: Critik Editorial Team

2023

GenresAdventure, Indie, Action, Shooter, Single Player, First Person Perspective

AvailableDec 31, 2023

PlatformPlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, PC, Nintendo Switch

DeveloperSlipgate Ironworks

Overview

Shelly “Bombshell” Harrison is back in this highly interactive mix of first person action and road movie adventure. Embark on an adrenaline-fueled journey around the USA. Use an enormous arsenal of weapons and skills to battle treacherous soldiers and vile mutants, all while trying to save mankind.

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Game analysis

Monster Scorecard

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Story and Narrative

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY

Story Score

Positive (80-100)

38%

Mixed (50-79)

38%

Negative (0-49)

25%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.

The Story of Phantom Fury has garnered mixed reviews from critics regarding its narrative. Some positive aspects highlighted by reviewers include the game's nostalgic elements, straightforward plot with a sci-fi twist, and enjoyable dramatic moments. Movies Games and Tech appreciates the classic and timely unfolding of the story, which adds to the overall experience. Additionally, Try Hard Guides commends the game for combining bombastic violence and quirky quips, capturing a classic American action movie feel that resonates with players. On the flip side, several critics expressed negative opinions about the story of Phantom Fury. Gamer Escape and Hooked Gamers criticized the narrative for being thread-bare, lacking depth, and having a confused execution that hinders the overall direction of the plot. GamingTrend and Softpedia also found fault with the story, describing it as nonsensical, forgettable, and reminiscent of over-the-top 80s B action movies. These critics point out the lack of depth in character development and thematic exploration as major drawbacks of the game's storytelling. Overall, the consensus among the critics leans towards a divisive reception of the Story of Phantom Fury's narrative. While some reviewers appreciate the game's nostalgic and dramatic elements, others are critical of its lack of depth, confusing execution, and forgettable plot. The mix of positive feedback from critics like Movies Games and Tech and Try Hard Guides, and the negative feedback from critics such as GamingTrend and Softpedia, showcases the polarizing nature of the game's story. Players looking for a straightforward, action-packed experience with a classic action movie vibe may find enjoyment in Phantom Fury, while those seeking a more nuanced and thematically rich narrative may be left wanting more.

TL;DR

story and narrative

The Story of Phantom Fury receives mixed reviews from critics: Some praise its nostalgic elements and classic action movie feel, while others criticize its lack of depth and confusing execution. Overall, the narrative divides critics, appealing to fans of straightforward, action-packed experiences but falling short for those seeking depth and thematic exploration.

Gameplay Mechanics

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY

Gameplay Score

Positive (80-100)

56%

Mixed (50-79)

33%

Negative (0-49)

11%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.

The gameplay of Phantom Fury has garnered praise from several critics for its positive aspects. Gamer Escape appreciates the game's resemblance to Half-Life, highlighting the inclusion of health, armor, various weapons with alternate fire modes, and interactive environmental elements. Movies Games and Tech commends the suspenseful gameplay, evolving stage design, interactive objects, and the mix of ground combat and vehicular madness. Ragequit.gr mentions the varied level design, puzzles, exploration, and the wide array of weapons with alternate fire modes as positive aspects. On the flip side, some critics have pointed out negative aspects of the gameplay in Phantom Fury. Gamereactor UK criticizes the dull weapons and tough enemies, which detract from the overall experience. Hooked Gamers highlights unreliable hitboxes, weak weapons, limited ammo availability, vague level navigation, and lack of context for new mechanics as frustrating elements that hinder player progression. GamingTrend expresses disappointment in the boss fights, describing them as too easy and lacking challenge. Overall, the consensus among the critics regarding the gameplay of Phantom Fury is mixed. While the game is praised for its interactive elements, variety in missions, and combat mechanics by GamingBolt, Softpedia, and Try Hard Guides, there are concerns raised by Gamereactor UK, Hooked Gamers, and GamingTrend regarding aspects like weapon variety, difficulty balance, and frustrating gameplay mechanics. Despite some differing opinions on specific aspects of the gameplay, the general sentiment leans towards a solid foundation with room for improvement in certain areas to enhance the overall player experience.

TL;DR

gameplay mechanics

Phantom Fury's gameplay receives mixed reviews from critics. Praise for its resemblance to Half-Life, interactive elements, and diverse missions is countered by criticism of dull weapons, unreliable hitboxes, and lackluster boss fights. While some appreciate the game's combat mechanics and variety, others point out frustrating elements hindering player progression. Overall, there's room for improvement in certain areas to elevate the overall player experience.

Graphics and Visual Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS

Visual Score

Positive (80-100)

63%

Mixed (50-79)

38%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of Phantom Fury are quite diverse. Several critics praised the game for its unique and appealing visual style. Gamer Escape appreciated the deliberately low-poly and pixelated texture look, finding the environment well-designed and readable. GamingTrend also commended the retro-inspired art style that pays homage to classic shooters, highlighting the detailed environments and distinct visuals. Try Hard Guides mentioned the beautiful graphics with a retro-callback but modern look, smooth animations, and high-resolution models, which added to the overall appeal. On the other hand, some critics pointed out certain drawbacks in the game's graphics and visual design. Softpedia noted that the game aims for a retro 90s graphics style but can look weird at times, especially during narrative moments. They also highlighted issues with enemy movements and clipping through cover spots. Gamereactor UK mentioned that while Phantom Fury is visually spectacular with expansive and complex environments, it lacked polish to match its predecessor, indicating room for improvement in the overall execution of the visuals. Overall, despite the mixed opinions, there seems to be a general consensus among the critics regarding Phantom Fury's Graphics and Visual Design. The game successfully blends old-school sensibilities with modern technologies, creating a distinct aesthetic that appeals to fans of classic shooters. While some critics appreciated the retro-inspired art style and unique visual presentation, others felt that certain aspects needed refinement and polish to fully realize the game's potential. Despite the differing viewpoints on specific elements like textures and animations, Phantom Fury seems to have struck a balance between nostalgia and modernity in its visual design, offering a visually engaging experience for players.

TL;DR

graphics and visual design

Critics have mixed opinions on Phantom Fury's graphics and visual design. Some praise its unique retro style and detailed environments, while others find issues with weird moments and lack of polish. Overall, the game successfully blends old-school charm with modern technology, appealing to fans of classic shooters despite room for improvement in execution.

Music and Sound Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN

Sound Score

Positive (80-100)

17%

Mixed (50-79)

83%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.

The Sound Design and Music of Phantom Fury received a mix of positive feedback from the critics. Gamer Escape appreciated the voice acting and sound effects for enhancing the gameplay experience with satisfying sounds. Movies Games and Tech also praised the audio design, highlighting the impactful sound effects, engaging voice acting, and an upbeat soundtrack that effectively complemented the gameplay. These aspects were crucial in creating an immersive environment for players, as noted by GamingTrend, who commended the sound design for its immersive elements. On the flip side, there were notable criticisms regarding the music in Phantom Fury. GamingTrend criticized the soundtrack for being somber and not fitting the action-packed gameplay, while Try Hard Guides described it as lackluster and unnoticeable during gameplay, suggesting that an 80s synth-wave OST could have greatly improved the experience. Ragequit.gr mentioned issues with low music volume, which could have affected the overall atmosphere of the game negatively. Softpedia also pointed out that the generic soundtrack and mismatched enemy barks detracted from the overall audio experience. Overall, while there were some shortcomings in the music department, the general consensus among the critics is that the Sound Design of Phantom Fury was well-received. The voice acting and sound effects were highlighted as strong points by Gamer Escape and Movies Games and Tech, contributing positively to the gameplay experience. Despite the criticisms of the soundtrack from GamingTrend, Try Hard Guides, and Softpedia, the immersive elements of the sound design were acknowledged by most critics, showcasing a balance between positive and negative aspects in the audio department of the game.

TL;DR

music and sound design

The sound design and music of Phantom Fury were praised for enhancing the gameplay experience with satisfying sounds, impactful sound effects, and engaging voice acting. Critics noted that the immersive elements of the sound design created an immersive environment for players. However, there were criticisms regarding the somber soundtrack not fitting the action-packed gameplay, lackluster music, low volume, and mismatched enemy barks. Overall, while the music had shortcomings, the sound design was well-received by most critics for its positive contributions to the gameplay experience.

Voice Acting

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TL;DR

voice acting

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Technical Performance

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technical performance

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Replay Value

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replay value

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Overall Verdict

MONSTER

OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION

Monster Score

Positive (80-100)

30%

Mixed (50-79)

62%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.

In analyzing the opinions of the critics, it is evident that Phantom Fury has garnered praise for several aspects. Gamer Escape commends the game for offering "good lightweight fun" and being an "enjoyable experience," highlighting its appeal to players who enjoy action-packed gameplay. GamingBolt praises the game for being a "refined boomer shooter" with "excellent gameplay" and "fantastic art direction," appealing to fans of old-school action movies. Movies Games and Tech also lauds Phantom Fury for being a "fantastic blast from the past" with engaging gameplay, nostalgic story elements, and eccentric audio design, ultimately deeming it a "raving success." On the flip side, criticisms of Phantom Fury are also prevalent among the critics. Gamereactor UK points out the game's "unpolished aspects like dull weapons and tough enemies," which may detract from the overall experience, although it is recommended for those who can overlook these flaws. GamingTrend describes the game as "middling" due to technical problems, obscure level design, and a weak story, despite competent combat and presentation. Hooked Gamers is particularly critical, labeling Phantom Fury as a "confused game" with technical shortcomings, frustrating gameplay, and poor level design, making it a challenging recommendation even for fans of retro-inspired games. Overall, the consensus among the critics regarding Phantom Fury is mixed. While some, like Ragequit.gr, appreciate the game's intensity of encounters, sense of adventure, and recent developer support through patches, they are held back by technical issues and design flaws. Softpedia suggests that the development team should work on improving opponent AI and reducing unnecessary interactions with objects in the world to enhance the game's experience. Despite the varying opinions on specific aspects of the game, there is a general acknowledgment of Phantom Fury's potential and ability to deliver a nostalgic and action-packed experience, albeit with room for improvement in certain areas.

TL;DR

Phantom Fury receives praise for its action-packed gameplay and nostalgic appeal, but faces criticism for technical issues and design flaws. Critics highlight its fun factor and fantastic art direction, but point out dull weapons and frustrating gameplay. While some appreciate its intensity and adventure, others find it lacking. In conclusion, Phantom Fury offers a mixed experience with room for improvement.

MONSTER

Reviews

48 reviews found

Movies Games and Tech

Apr 23, 2024