Sometimes brilliant, sometimes flawed, Phantom Trigger is a game that could have been one of the best releases on the Switch eShop to date, but is let down by a lack of new ideas. Whilst being a rather tough game difficulty-wise, many players will find fun in the easy-to-pick-up combat system, beautiful aesthetics and gripping story, but will likely find themselves getting bored after a while thanks to seeing the same enemy hundreds of times. It's a good game overall, once the pros and cons are weighed up, so it is certainly worth considering.
Phantom Trigger is one of those games that you play through once. You won't play it for the story, but the rewarding combat and flashy environments are here to entertain. These will keep you glued to your screen until the credits roll. The enemies and objectives don't really change for the most part, but at least they give you a reasonable challenge. The game is perfectly fine with those looking for something quick and flashy, but don't expect something you will remember months from now. With 6 hours on the counter, it’s over before you know it.
Phantom Trigger is on the halfway between a true indie gem and a completely skippable title. It does have an entertaining hack n’ slash combat, but it falls short due to its repetitiveness. Its art style and atmospheric cyber-demon world is interesting enough, though, and may keep you hooked in addition to its surprisingly thought-provoking narrative.
Phantom Trigger's unique atmosphere and efficient combat system are promising and make this a potentially high quality game but as it quickly becomes repetitive on the short term and displays a lack of variety concerning its enemies and objectives, its expectations end up falling a downward trajectory after rising high.
Phantom Trigger is decent at being the top-down hack-and-slash game that the developers at Bread Team set out to create. The compelling story, stunningly pixelated neon world, and challenge are its strengths. If it weren’t bogged down by dull dungeon design, a limited move-set, and tedious gameplay, this action title could have stood out. As it is, Phantom Trigger is recommended only to those willing to look past its repetitive nature to experience this hardcore neon slasher.
Not only is Phantom Trigger agonising to play, but it is also really mind-numbingly boring. The game's cycle is just going through linear areas, being forced to fight, and then having to do a 'Simon Says' style memory game. There are some unremarkable boss battles, with no fun factor at all, all following a very similar formula. At about five hours, this kind of game doesn't seem long, but five hours for Phantom Trigger feels like real hard work. The only saving graces are some attempt at having some visual style and some interesting looking designs.
SummaryPhantom Trigger is a Hardcore Neon Slasher with RPG and Roguelike elements. Figure out what's real as you follow the story of Stan on a journey through surreal and twisted worlds.