Phantom Doctrine certainly shares plenty of DNA with the much-adored XCOM series, but it lacks the polish that's made the likes of XCOM 2 such an enduring example of how to do tactics right. When Phantom Doctrine really doubles down on the minutiae of its spycraft – including the solving conspiracies and the stealth-focused nature of its missions –...


Phantom Doctrine
2018 Good Shepherd Entertainment70Good
Playtime
LongTypically 50 hours
Playable on
- GeForce NOW
Available on
- $19.99
- $39.99
- $39.99
- $39.99
Game modes
- 2 players
Details
- Launch
- August 13, 2018
- Developer
- CreativeForge Games
- Publisher
- Good Shepherd Entertainment
Overview
Set in 1983 during the Cold War, Phantom Doctrine is an alternate history thriller in which players lead The Cabal, a secret organization dedicated to fighting a global conspiracy committed to controlling the world by pitting world leaders and nations against one another. Deception is the great equalizer as players will have to operate from the shadows to exploit every vulnerability - ruthlessly interrogate and brainwash enemies and allies alike to create double agents, saboteurs or unwitting collaborators. Develop and defend your base of operations, recruit agents from the world’s many factions, and research new tech to give your operatives the advantage. Campaign missions deliver sprawling tactical encounters that revolve around two key pillars: stealth and explosive, all-out attacks. Your team of operatives can be deployed into the field either fully armed or disguised as civilians, allowing them to infiltrate dangerous areas undetected at the expense of heavy weapons and armor. Decode...
Screenshots
Reception
- Metacritic74from 35 reviews
- OpenCritic73from 37 reviews
The game is full of good ideas but the action/combat part is painful, because of an too powerful AI. In short, the game is no bad but the "action part" is not as good as it should be to feel a real pleasure. It's a shame for a game with brilliant ideas.
There's some unique aspects that I hope are observed by other developers but there are better strategy titles out there like Invisible Inc. that do the core basics better.
All its ambitions, intelligent ideas and passion for the genre of espionage do not finish working at all.
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...



























