Phobies
- March 7, 2022
- Smoking Gun Interactive Inc.
- 70h median play time
Phobies is a turn-based strategy game where players collect and command creatures called "Phobies," each with unique abilities and fears. The game features single-player campaigns, online PvP, and co-op game modes. Players must tactically use their Phobies' skills and manage their fears to overcome challenges and defeat opponents. Explore, battle, and conquer in the world of Phobies.
Reviews
- The game features a really good thematic concept and excellent art style.
- The voice acting, especially from Lippy, is highly praised and adds to the game's charm.
- The gameplay is engaging and allows for multiple games to be played simultaneously, making it convenient for players.
- The daily cap on resources limits gameplay and progression, making it frustrating for players.
- Matchmaking can be unbalanced, often pairing lower-level players against much higher-level opponents.
- There are issues with the game crashing or not loading properly, which affects the overall experience.
- gameplay172 mentions
- 65 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay is widely praised for its engaging mechanics, strategic depth, and unique turn-based system, making it both fun and challenging. Many players appreciate the smooth animations and artistic design, although some express concerns about pay-to-win elements and daily resource caps that can hinder progress. Overall, the game offers a compelling experience, balancing simplicity with complexity, though improvements in matchmaking and reward systems are suggested.
“The gameplay is fun and rewarding.”
“Really fun gameplay.”
“The gameplay is engaging, fun, and strategic which makes it a delight to play.”
“Gameplay was okay but load times for instructions and intro animation could not be skipped and the game crashed, which made the same info have to be displayed again.”
“But the rewards limit has to be one of the most disgusting ways to limit gameplay I've seen in mobile games.”
“Unfortunately, the developers decided to discourage gameplay by adding daily resource caps.”
- graphics171 mentions
- 69 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning art style, unique character designs, and engaging animations, contributing to an immersive gameplay experience. Players appreciate the creativity and thematic consistency, noting that the visuals enhance the overall atmosphere of the game. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to balance aesthetic appeal with smooth performance, making it a standout in the mobile gaming market.
“Phobies has an absolutely stunning art style and amazingly well thought out cards, tactics, and maps.”
“The graphics, the creativity behind it, the voice actors, and the originality of the concept are amazing.”
“Fantastic visuals, animations that pop out of the screen, fun abilities, and a million other quirks that show exactly how time, thought, energy, and love went into this game.”
“The graphics are very much giving scary lobby.”
“Graphics need work.”
“The game has no graphics + the game has too many features that remind me of a similar game....!”
- monetization68 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Overall, the monetization model of the game is well-received, with many players appreciating the absence of intrusive ads and the option to earn or purchase in-game currency without feeling pressured. However, some users express concerns about the high costs of in-app purchases and the slow progression due to daily limits, which they perceive as cash grabs. Despite these issues, the game's quality and enjoyable gameplay often outweigh the monetization drawbacks for players.
“No ads, it's not pay to win, the phobies are all pretty unique.”
“No ads, in-app purchases completely optional, fun as hell, get the goddamn game, it's a good time.”
“It doesn't require grinding, a game with no ads, pure strategy and skills, truly one of a kind game ❤️❤️❤️”
“It has all the bad stuff you can think of - super annoying ads (not compulsory, but they give a good reward so you feel compelled to watch), premium currency, Tapjoy integration, pay to win, etc. but underneath that is a game of incredible quality, that is still really fun to play as long as you can resist the temptation to engage with any of the BS, and just enjoy the game anyway.”
“The drop rates for new phobies is very low and costs around $1000 to even start playing at a competitive level... this game is very fun but the developers might be a bit greedy with this cash grab ($20 for a pack with 4 cards and you are not even guaranteed new cards... come on) and the daily experience cap pretty much tells people not to play it unless you shell out another $10 per month... in short this game is fun but you need a lot of money to have this fun.”
“Having a cap on tears is ridiculous and a clear cash grab that just makes the game not fun to play which is a shame because I actually want to play but I'm not going to spend real money on bad mechanics like that... I have to add that the rate at which you get coffee and the amount of coffee it costs to buy packs is ridiculous.”
- story27 mentions
- 11 % positive mentions
- 78 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
Players express a strong desire for a more developed story mode, highlighting the need for character backstories and unique endings for each character. While the game's graphics and creativity are praised, many feel that the current quest system is grind-heavy and lacks engaging narrative elements, suggesting that a campaign or PvE mode would enhance the overall experience. Overall, the consensus is that the addition of a story mode could significantly improve player engagement and enjoyment.
“The storyline and the gameplay are one of a kind and any gamer would love this to the utmost level.”
“I love this game... each character represents irrational fear... hope to see/read a backstory for each phobie for us to learn more about where they came from... thanks devs for this great game...”
“Good quirky story.”
“Before I quit playing this game, I requested a story mode where we could get new phobies because challenges don't give us players anything interesting.”
“You guys need to put PvE or a campaign/story mode that doesn't require dueling with others, but players can still get in-game currency.”
“This game is super fun and all, but if all this game has is just PvP 24/7, then it would get boring real quick. I think adding a story mode would make it even better.”
- grinding24 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessive and tedious, often feeling that the rewards do not justify the effort required. Many express frustration with the slow progression and the disparity between free-to-play users and those who spend money, leading to a sense of imbalance in gameplay. While some appreciate the game's strategic elements, the overwhelming focus on grinding detracts from the overall experience for many users.
“The monthly gold pass is really weak, almost not worth grinding for.”
“I learned the hard way that grinding was never going to produce results, and I constantly went against players who dumped hundreds of dollars (no joke) into the game.”
“With those two points, it makes this game extremely grindy to attempt to get enough premium currency and have a slight chance at new phobies.”
- music17 mentions
- 65 % positive mentions
- 18 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its immersive quality and catchy soundtracks, with many players expressing a desire to listen to it repeatedly. Reviewers highlight the impressive integration of music with the game's atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience alongside the well-designed graphics and animations. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature that significantly contributes to the game's enjoyment.
“Absolutely amazing game, had so much fun playing it because of how unique the characters and creatures are, as well as how competitive the game can be. It's obvious that real effort and care has been taken with every detail in the game, from design all the way to music. I would listen to that bop on repeat!”
“The atmosphere and music are very immersive.”
“The soundtrack is great!”
“The art style, the music, animations, and the characters are all huzzah!”
“Side note, the background song that plays when opening jacks is fantastic.”
“Now this is a game people want awesome visuals, looks fully audio, the voice actor is awesome. This looks like a game you would legit buy before you play it, even having an old-school feel to the game in just background music alone.”
- character development13 mentions
- 62 % positive mentions
- 15 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
Overall, character development in the game is highly praised, with users highlighting the unique and well-thought-out character designs and art style. The graphics and animations contribute to an engaging experience, although some players noted that certain character designs can become repetitive. The voice acting, particularly for the character Lippy, adds an enjoyable layer to the gameplay, enhancing the overall appeal of the characters.
“Map and character designs feel well thought out with how phobies' movement and abilities change how you approach a map.”
“Everything in this game from character designs and illustrations are designed with care.”
“I rarely give 5 stars to an app but this is one of the best games I've played in a while, very fresh, out of the box idea, love the character designs.”
“Character designs get repetitive for some classes, though there are so many possibilities for fears; instead, we get random robot design number 3.”
“While the character designs are interesting, they lack depth and variety, making it hard to stay engaged with the characters over time.”
“The character development feels shallow, as the unique traits and abilities of the characters don't evolve or change significantly throughout the game.”
- humor10 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a blend of clever puns, witty dialogues, and a mix of spooky and macabre elements that resonate well with players, often eliciting genuine laughter. While some aspects are praised for their comedic value, others are noted to be hit-or-miss, with a few players finding certain elements creepy rather than funny. Overall, the humor contributes significantly to the game's charm, enhancing the engaging gameplay experience.
“The poetry, rhymes, puns, and humorous dialogues are on point.”
“Super blend of fun, spooky and creepy stuff; that creates suspense as well as funny puns and poems that really made me laugh!”
“It's funny and macabre.”
- atmosphere7 mentions
- 71 % positive mentions
- -14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is consistently praised for its immersive quality, enhanced by unique designs, vibrant colors, and engaging music. Reviewers highlight the flawless execution of graphics and gameplay, contributing to a captivating 2.5D environment that brings the game to life. Overall, the atmosphere is described as a key strength, enriching the strategic experience.
“A real brain teaser with flawless execution in terms of graphics, gameplay, and atmosphere.”
“The individual unique designs and animations give it life, especially the atmosphere in these 2.5D background arenas.”
“The atmosphere and music are very immersive.”
“The individual unique designs and animations, especially in the 2.5D background arenas, give it life, contributing significantly to the atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the depth needed to immerse players in the game world.”
“Despite the promising concept, the atmosphere fails to engage, leaving players feeling disconnected from the experience.”
- stability4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Recent reviews indicate that the game's stability has significantly declined following the phonies carnival update, with users reporting frequent freezes, crashes, and disconnections during matches. Despite being a well-regarded game overall, these issues have led to frustration among players, with some considering quitting due to the instability.
“After the Phonies Carnival update, it's buggy.”
“A great game overall, but lately I've been having issues with freezes and crashing.”
“I keep disconnecting in the middle of arena matches, even though I have a good connection. It just freezes and quits. How is this fair? Honestly, I'm about to give up on this game.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its smooth performance and balanced battles, with players finding daily activities rewarding. Additionally, the impressive graphics enhance the overall experience.
“Runs smoothly, battles feel balanced most of the time, and dailies are rewarding.”
“It has great performance on top of stunning graphics.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the game emotionally engaging, praising its wholesome and unique gameplay that exceeds initial expectations of being just a card game. The heartfelt introduction and evident effort from the developers contribute to a strong emotional connection, reflected in a high rating of around 4.7.
“I appreciate the devs for coming up with such wholesome and unique gameplay!”
“I love this game! I initially thought it would just be a card game, but it's so much more than that. The introduction is awesome and wholesome; the devs have put a lot of effort into it. 💜💜 I would rate it around 4.7.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 200 % positive mentions
- -400 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The primary source of replayability in the game is its PvP mode, which offers limited but rewarding content that allows players to progress their phobies.
“The variety of strategies and different character builds make each playthrough feel fresh and engaging.”
“With multiple game modes and challenges, there's always something new to explore, keeping the experience exciting.”
“The main replayable game content that consistently rewards your playtime and allows you to progress your phobies is currently limited to PvP.”
“After completing the main storyline, there isn't much incentive to replay the game, as the side content feels repetitive and uninspired.”
“While the game has potential for replayability, the lack of diverse game modes and meaningful rewards makes it feel stale after a few sessions.”