Phantasma
- June 12, 2017
- The Shady Gentlemen
Get on Steam"Phantasma" is a virtual reality puzzle game inspired by classics like "The 7th Guest" and "The 11th Hour." Players delve into the mind of a conspiracy theorist investigating the entertainment industry and a TV show hosted by an irritating bunny named Flappy. Abstract puzzles are solved using bizarre videos, while the story explores the question: "Are you a good Bunny?"
Reviews
- The game features elaborate and interesting puzzles that require outside-the-box thinking, providing a satisfying challenge.
- The atmosphere is creepy and immersive, with excellent graphics and sound design that enhance the overall experience.
- The hint system is generous and helps guide players without giving away solutions, making it easier to navigate the more challenging puzzles.
- Many puzzles are frustratingly obscure, leading to confusion and requiring players to look up solutions, detracting from the enjoyment.
- Movement controls can be problematic, with issues like inconsistent locomotion options and lack of snap turning, making navigation cumbersome.
- The game ends abruptly without a satisfying conclusion or resolution, leaving players feeling unsatisfied after completing the experience.
- story15 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The story is abstract and fragmented, leaving players to piece together a narrative that oscillates between horror and psychological intrigue, reminiscent of "They Live." While some find the unsettling imagery and ambiguous plot engaging, others feel lost or bored due to its lack of a clear, linear storyline. Overall, the game offers a rich, immersive experience that challenges players to explore a twisted world filled with disturbing elements and complex puzzles.
“Add to that very disturbing imagery and an ambiguous story, and the result is one of the best VR adventures.”
“The story is just as abstract, told only in the barest snippets and bits of background detail, leaving you to piece everything together yourself, as one final puzzle.”
“It's less about a linear 'story,' more about peering through tiny holes here and there, glimpsing into a twisted world where things have gone horribly wrong, and have been that way for a long time.”
“There was none, none end line story finish, no what is going to happen to me, nothing!!!”
- graphics8 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The graphics are consistently praised for their crispness, detail, and polished quality, contributing significantly to the game's atmosphere and overall experience. Users appreciate the expressive art style and level design, which enhance immersion and interaction. Additionally, the sound design and voice acting complement the visuals, creating a memorable and engaging environment.
“Graphics are crisp and detailed and give a great sense of presence.”
“Excellent graphics, sounds, and voice acting!”
“The graphics are really polished.”
- atmosphere7 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 29 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in Phantasma is highly praised for its exceptional attention to detail in world-building, creating a unique and creepy environment that enhances the gameplay experience. Reviewers highlight the effective use of art style, sound design, and challenging puzzles, all contributing to a captivating and immersive atmosphere. Overall, the game successfully combines visual and auditory elements to deliver a memorable and engaging ambiance.
“Phantasma does an excellent job at capturing a very unique but creepy atmosphere.”
“Overall a fun game with a great atmosphere.”
“The amount of work and attention to detail put into atmosphere and world-building really shines through, especially in the videos and environments.”
“Graphics are good, and the sound design definitely helped the atmosphere.”
- music3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The music in the game is noted for its personal touch and overall polish, enhancing the storytelling experience. However, some players find the repetitive nature of certain tracks, such as the French music, to be a drawback. Users also appreciate the inclusion of settings to adjust music volume and other audio elements.
“The story, music, and overall polish really make the game feel like the developers took the time to make it a personal endeavor.”
“The music is just French music on repeat for 90 minutes.”
“Give me a menu with a few settings, like movement, maybe volume, or music.”
“The story, music, and overall polish really make the game feel like the dev took the time to make it a personal endeavor.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Gameplay is immediate and engaging from the start, but many users feel it lacks depth and variety, making it less compelling than it could be.
“When you hit launch, you jump right into gameplay.”
“The idea behind it is solid if only the gameplay was a bit more interesting.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy heavily relies on television advertisements, which some users find intrusive and suggestive, impacting the overall experience of solving puzzles.
