Phantom Trigger

Note - This review of Phantom Trigger is based on a playthrough of the Steam version. Phantom Trigger is published by tinyBuild Games, who previously rele

Sadly, Phantom Trigger is over as soon as it hits its stride. It takes only about 5 hours or so to play through, though this can be extended if you’re set on uncovering every little detail and pick-up. For $15, it’s not a bad deal, but Phantom Trigger is a unique and surreal experience – one I hoped would have lasted a little longer. If you’re a fan of Hyper Light Drifter, Kamiko, and other games of this little RPG sub genre, Phantom Trigger comes recommended.

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.

Even more cryptic than learning the combat is how the story of Phantom Trigger unfolds. It opens in a real world kitchen with the main character talking to his partner about breakfast, he then collapses and wakes up in the world where all of the combat takes place. It doesn’t take long for the story to start making sense but it had me scratching my head as I put together the pieces between the short bits focusing on plot. Phantom Trigger hits story beats in a very stylish way using Interstitial moments which break through the combat world with a visual effect. Distortion lines flicker randomly...

Have you decided to enter madness? To journey into insanity and try to piece together the truth? Do you want it to be extremely hard at the same time? Why not give Phantom Trigger a try then!