Phantom Doctrine

 PlayStation 4
Phantom Doctrine Image
Metascore
73

Mixed or average reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 38 Ratings

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  • Summary: The year is 1983. The world teeters on the verge of destruction as the Cold War tightens its icy grip. East or West: trust no one, question everything. The fate of humanity rests in your hands as you pit spy versus spy in tactical Phantom Doctrine.

Trailer

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Phantom Doctrine - Official Story Trailer | E3 2018

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. Digitally Downloaded
    Aug 15, 2018
    90
    Phantom Doctrine did come out of nowhere to become a truly enjoyable and memorable experience. If you had have told me six months ago that it would be possible to take the pulp sci-fi, raw entertainment of XCOM and apply it to a Cold War espionage narrative, I wouldn’t have believed you. That’s exactly what has been delivered here, though, and I hope it has the chance to surprise plenty of other people.
  2. TheSixthAxis
    Aug 14, 2018
    80
    If you’re someone who lives a life of danger, if everyone you meet is a stranger or perhaps you find that with every move you make another chance you take, then Phantom Doctrine is ideal for you. For everyone else, this is a deep and compelling tactical strategy game that provides innovation in a stagnant genre. I’ll be playing it long after I’ve finished reviewing it, and I can think of no higher praise than that.
  3. PlaySense
    Sep 3, 2018
    80
    A good strategy game that plays really well and offers plenty of challenge. You end up feeling like an actual spy while playing this game and that is a big compliment to the developers. Sadly though, there are a couple of difficulty spikes throughout which causes some frustration.
  4. PlayStation Universe
    Aug 14, 2018
    75
    Phantom Doctrine is a superb slice of Cold War espionage storytelling tied to a serviceable turn-based strategy. A harsh difficulty curve awaits, but there's reward to be found.
  5. PlayStation Country
    Aug 17, 2018
    70
    Phantom Doctrine offers a different approach to the XCOM formula and is unique enough for genre fans to give it a chance. The missions do become repetitive and progress is slow but the ability to fully stealth levels is very welcome and rewarding.
  6. PlayStation LifeStyle
    Aug 14, 2018
    70
    Phantom Doctrine is good tactical action game with a great spy culture motif.
  7. We Got This Covered
    Aug 16, 2018
    60
    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.

See all 19 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. THUnder222
    Jun 12, 2020
    10
    A fantastic turn based strategy and tactics game with late cold war espionage theme. If you like XCOM, you will love this. Base and personnelA fantastic turn based strategy and tactics game with late cold war espionage theme. If you like XCOM, you will love this. Base and personnel management, development and customization of characters, lots of weapons and perks? This game has everything. Buy it now.

    P.s. : Loading times could have been shorter.    … Expand
  2. Acronymous
    Sep 4, 2018
    9
    Due to negative user ratings i had to buy the game once more - this time on PS4. Honestly i don't get where did those negative ratings comeDue to negative user ratings i had to buy the game once more - this time on PS4. Honestly i don't get where did those negative ratings come from as everything from steering to interface works really well on consoles. Sure the game has it's own design choices and not everyone has to like them but still it's a solid piece of software.
    I love the fact this game is not X-COM clone, it's more subtle, has different pacing, focuses on different aspects of the genre. To add even more it's one of very few tactical turn-based games available on PS4! This should only boost it's score instead of lowering it.
    Sure the plot presentation is less than perfect and the learning curve is steep but if you're not looking for a game to play in 15 minutes sessions but rather for something to occupy you for long Autumn evenings this is the game for you.    … Expand
  4. Mopar63
    Jul 10, 2020
    8
    I used to play ab great but underrated RPG back in the day on tabletop called Top Secret. Phantom menace does a decent job of helping meI used to play ab great but underrated RPG back in the day on tabletop called Top Secret. Phantom menace does a decent job of helping me relive this experience. Today most games are about get a big gun, rush in and kill the bad guys. Nice to see a game that requires though and planning to play well. Really having a lot of fun with this.… Expand
  5. bergcamp101
    Aug 7, 2021
    8
    Very good tactical game with good atmosphere. I was surprised, cause I waited for something similar to XCOM, and it obviously is, but it is aVery good tactical game with good atmosphere. I was surprised, cause I waited for something similar to XCOM, and it obviously is, but it is a - stealth game. In most cases. And turn-based. Very interesting cocktail.… Expand
  6. ferrarimangtb
    Aug 21, 2018
    6
    The Phantom Doctrine is a great addition with a fresh new take on turn based games. But unfortunately due to it's nearly unplayable buggyThe Phantom Doctrine is a great addition with a fresh new take on turn based games. But unfortunately due to it's nearly unplayable buggy mechanics 'upon release'. Issues ultimately plague this games otherwise captivating gameplay & play style. Issues such as, enemies being able to shoot through walls, & or, across the entire map, despite clear structural obstacles, rendering a hostile combative approach virtually useless. Then there's the 'enemy activity' wait mechanic, that tends to often freeze or glitch during it's process. One that persisted regardless of my reloading & restarting of a specific level. Add to that lesser issues like enlongated load times, overly complicated control schemes, & a story that takes a very distant 3rd row backseat to it's gameplay. And at best you have decent game that the developers should have taken their time with. Hence the reasoning for my score.… Expand
  7. hermes820
    Sep 10, 2018
    6
    I love the premise and atmosphere of this game. Even the game play at your base of operations where you send your agents to different localesI love the premise and atmosphere of this game. Even the game play at your base of operations where you send your agents to different locales and what not is entertaining. The actual game play during missions is just cheap and frustrating.… Expand

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