Phantom Doctrine

 Xbox One
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 20 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 20
  3. Negative: 4 out of 20

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  1. Xbox_Alive
    Aug 29, 2018
    8
    The strategy elements have been done really well and the ability to use stealth with these strategy elements definitely give the game some uniqueness. I really enjoyed working with the investigation boards because they gave the strategy side of the game a very realistic feel. The combat is a little on the minimalist side I liked what was available to me because it always felt satisfyingThe strategy elements have been done really well and the ability to use stealth with these strategy elements definitely give the game some uniqueness. I really enjoyed working with the investigation boards because they gave the strategy side of the game a very realistic feel. The combat is a little on the minimalist side I liked what was available to me because it always felt satisfying when defeating an enemy. The presentation side of the game does a good job of setting the scene and both the visuals and sound design work together really well. The tutorial left a lot to be desired and I was a little disappointed with how little they explained certain things that I had to do. Technically the game suffers with a few issues every now and then which can impact on the immersion levels a little. Sometimes the difficulty of the game can be a little overbearing and it doesn’t help that the difficulty seems to spike out of nowhere.

    Does Phantom Doctrine do enough to get a recommendation from me?

    All in all when I think of a strategy game XCOM comes straight to my mind because for me it’s the best the strategy genre has to offer. That being said even though I don’t think any strategy game will reach the heights of XCOM that doesn’t mean that I don’t get excited when a new strategy game comes out, so I did have quite a bit of interest in Phantom Doctrine. Thankfully I’m glad I did have some interest because on the whole the game is pretty good and in a way it does have some uniqueness. This uniqueness is delivered to you in the way of being able to use your stealth all the way through missions and the best thing is that the stealth works incredibly well with the strategy elements in the game. Whilst it gets these aspects spot on it does lack in a few areas though and this without a doubt stops me from giving the game a higher score. That being said despite it suffering with a few shortcomings It still does the most important things right and that means Phantom Doctrine gets a thumbs up from me.    … Expand

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
67

Mixed or average reviews - based on 5 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. TheXboxHub
    Dec 3, 2018
    70
    If you are in the market for a super detailed, super hard strategy game, look no further. With a gripping cold war storyline up there with classic spy novels, Phantom Doctrine is a worthy game. If you’re not quite that hardcore, then possibly one of the faster paced games may be more to your liking.
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  2. games(TM)
    Oct 4, 2018
    60
    Gritty and imaginative, let down by fundamental flaws. [Issue#205, p.80]
  3. XboxAddict
    Sep 27, 2018
    70
    Phantom Doctrine has a lot of potential. While the combat didn’t really jive with me personally, the whole CIA cloak and dagger theme suits the gameplay and genre quite well. Oddly enough, I quite enjoyed the other aspects to the gameplay much more, particularly the base management and connecting clues together on an old school pinup board. Frustration will surely kick in at the beginning, as you’re barely taught any of the non-combat mechanics, but once you figure it out on your own, it can be quite strategic, even if it’ll be in the shadows when compared to certain other mega hits in the genre.
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