The Phantom: The Video Game is the first major console/PC game from Australian studio Art of Play, and while it has a lot of potential, the fact that it’s the studio’s first big game shows.

The game has often been compared to Streets of Rage 4, but the comparison is a bit unfair due to the larger budget and team behind SoR4. The Phantom feels more like an older brawler, moving more a little slower than some modern counterparts. Many have said they there are not enough moved in The Phantom. This is untrue as a said-by-side count of the moves available here compared to [/i]Sor4[/i] show that with special moves counted, the two games are on equal footing. Still, there is certainly a feeling of "old school" to The Phantom's gameplay. To carry forward the Streets of Rage comparison, The Phantom feels more like playing the original 16-big Streets of Rage rather than the newer fourth entry in the series. Please note that I am not suggesting that this is a bad thing, as I feel this is still a perfectly relevant style of play.

And in-level character animation and the environmental art is a highlight, showcasing unique locations, with all the characters presenting a wonderful sense of personality. However, the comic-panel cutscenes could have been better, feeling akin to old-internet Flash animations. The soundtrack is excellent, evoking the different cultures and atmospheres the game explores. Unfortunately, some of the voices and sounds in cutscenes are muffled behind the wonderful score.

The gameplay is enjoyable but sometimes attacks lack the impact found in other games of the genre. It’s a shorter experience, taking around 2.5 - 3 hours to complete on medium difficulty. While boss fights present a cool idea in the form of horse/ bike/ car/ etc chases, they can become repetitive. Guns, while available, don’t feel overpowered and are more used for stunning enemies and setting of traps. This is in line with the lore of the comic, where the Phantom doesn’t kill.

Fans of The Phantom will likely appreciate the numerous references, but non-fans might find themselves confused by certain plot points and lore-heavy moments that aren’t explained clearly. The game does wear its comic inspiration and love for the source material on its sleeve which, in this era of comic book games redesigning characters until they are nothing but a hodgepodge of homogeneous styles, should be commended.

Ultimately, the game is fun for those who are already fans of The Phantom and/or those who enjoy older-style brawlers, but it may not meet the expectations of those looking for something more modern or polished. The devs are constantly refining the game, however, so things may improve over time. Personally, I reckon it's certainly worth checking out.

[i]The Phantom: The Video Game[/i] is the first major console/PC game from Australian studio Art of Play, and while it has a lot of potential, the fact that it’s the studio’s first big game shows. The game has often been compared to [i]Streets of Rage 4[/i], but the comparison is a bit unfair due to the larger budget and team behind [i]SoR4[/i]. [i]The Phantom[/i] feels more like an older brawler, moving more a little slower than some modern counterparts. Many have said they there are not enough moved in [i]The Phantom[/i]. This is untrue as a said-by-side count of the moves available here compared to [/i]Sor4[/i] show that with special moves counted, the two games are on equal footing. Still, there is certainly a feeling of "old school" to [i]The Phantom[/i]'s gameplay. To carry forward the [i]Streets of Rage[/i] comparison, [i]The Phantom[/i] feels more like playing the original 16-big [i]Streets of Rage[/i] rather than the newer fourth entry in the series. Please note that I am not suggesting that this is a bad thing, as I feel this is still a perfectly relevant style of play. And in-level character animation and the environmental art is a highlight, showcasing unique locations, with all the characters presenting a wonderful sense of personality. However, the comic-panel cutscenes could have been better, feeling akin to old-internet Flash animations. The soundtrack is excellent, evoking the different cultures and atmospheres the game explores. Unfortunately, some of the voices and sounds in cutscenes are muffled behind the wonderful score. The gameplay is enjoyable but sometimes attacks lack the impact found in other games of the genre. It’s a shorter experience, taking around 2.5 - 3 hours to complete on medium difficulty. While boss fights present a cool idea in the form of horse/ bike/ car/ etc chases, they can become repetitive. Guns, while available, don’t feel overpowered and are more used for stunning enemies and setting of traps. This is in line with the lore of the comic, where the Phantom doesn’t kill. Fans of The Phantom will likely appreciate the numerous references, but non-fans might find themselves confused by certain plot points and lore-heavy moments that aren’t explained clearly. The game does wear its comic inspiration and love for the source material on its sleeve which, in this era of comic book games redesigning characters until they are nothing but a hodgepodge of homogeneous styles, should be commended. Ultimately, the game is fun for those who are already fans of The Phantom and/or those who enjoy older-style brawlers, but it may not meet the expectations of those looking for something more modern or polished. The devs are constantly refining the game, however, so things may improve over time. Personally, I reckon it's certainly worth checking out.