Phantom Doctrine

 Switch
Metascore
71

Mixed or average reviews - based on 4 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. NintendoWorldReport
    Aug 6, 2019
    80
    Whether it’s because I can play it untethered from the television or how it eschews the alien threat for a relatively more grounded espionage take on the genre, I found the break-up between on-the-ground missions and reconnaissance activities fresh if uneven, and the removal of dice rolls for hit rate removes obfuscation that for me made combat a much more rewarding endeavor. If you’re someone like me who liked Mario + Rabbids but wished there was more depth or don’t particularly love sci-fi themes, Phantom Doctrine is a worthy alternative.
  2. Gaming Age
    Aug 16, 2019
    75
    If it seems like I have more negative things to say about Phantom Doctrine, that’s mainly because it’s such an easy game to characterize. As I said, it’s basically Cold War X-COM, and it pulls that off relatively well. Not so well that it’ll make anyone forget X-COM, but if you need something similar, this game will do in a pinch.
  3. Switch Player
    Aug 8, 2019
    60
    Phantom Doctrine is an extensive espionage strategy game, with a ton of features and gameplay elements to get stuck into, but its downgrades for the Switch port make the experience – while not unplayable – jarring and awkward at times. Unless you’re set on playing this one on the go, it’s likely better experienced with a mouse and keyboard.
  5. Nintendo Life
    Jun 15, 2019
    60
    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 – its own personality shines through. It’s certainly scrappy here and there – especially when it comes to managing the meta of its spy network – but push past these imperfections and you’ll have plenty of licence for kills (and the occasional thrill).

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.6

Mixed or average reviews- based on 14 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 14
  3. Negative: 4 out of 14
  1. JAG7
    Jun 26, 2023
    0
    This game is awful in every way. It’s confusing and boring. Everything is slow. First of all is so complex and elaborated in the worst wayThis game is awful in every way. It’s confusing and boring. Everything is slow. First of all is so complex and elaborated in the worst way possible. Too much things and way too much menus. You have to control a world map , you have to craft, you have to hired a crew, and many other things that are absolutely unexplained and confusing. The tactical mission doesn’t work at all. You can’t see the enemy. They are absolutely ghosts,one second you see them one second you don’t(and we’re talking about the same room)They can shoot on target killing from very far but you cannot kill them at close contact .Ridiculous! The turns are so boring and so complex . Dealing with so much commands made me sick. It’s repulsively boring. Also awful awful tutorials. If you are making a game with so much commands then you should explained everything clearly. Also combat is extremely unfair and confusing. Frankly, Narcos is a better game than this one and that’s a lot, considering that Narcos is a very mediocre game.Nothing is good on this game. Very very disappointing!! Zero is an understatement!… Full Review »
  2. Malooga
    Dec 13, 2019
    8
    Make no mistake - this is budget X-Com. However, the pieces of X-Com it chooses to replicate come through very well. There is the inherentMake no mistake - this is budget X-Com. However, the pieces of X-Com it chooses to replicate come through very well. There is the inherent feel of "creating" a scenario as you play.

    While difficulty is only present on Iron Man play-through's, I feel that games of this nature lend themselves more to an organic difficulty curve that the player creates. Sure - you can take the boring straight route on missions if you like, with little deviation or difficulty in game-play. However if you want to mix it up - set up traps, complete side objective, find loot and hidden playable characters - you can do all of that too.

    The option the go in stealthy or guns blazing exists on almost every level, which is a nice touch. I was please to find even in the first level of the game there was plenty of freedom in terms of approach.

    I waited for the game to drop below a $5 price point - and that's where I think the real value lies here. Currently going on Switch for $3 - so be patient and you should see a drop on your respective platform.

    Pros: - Competent strategy presented in layers
    - Good replay value (new game ++)

    Cons: - UI is a little confusing / muddled
    - Story is basic and uninspired    … Full Review »
  3. jeffbizloc
    Nov 13, 2019
    6
    Phantom Doctrine had so much potential. I got about 8 hours in and did enjoy the time before I "figured out" the game.

    Game(s) like: XCom,    Phantom Doctrine had so much potential. I got about 8 hours in and did enjoy the time before I "figured out" the game.

    Game(s) like: XCom, Hard West

    Pros:
    - The game looked and played great
    - Liked the idea of awareness and really the entire system was well done
    - The infiltration period was cool

    Cons:
    - Too many random missions (Beholder events). I wanted to stick to main story missions but the game dragged out.
    - The infiltration with disguises became way too easy after you figured it out
    - The non-tactical portion became very repetitive after the first chapter    … Full Review »
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