They say one’s third time is the charm. For developer Slipgate Ironworks and heroine Shelly “Bombshell” Harrison, their latest collaboration Phantom Fury promises to deliver. This throwback shooter transports players across America on a mission to thwart forces threatening global security.
Two years after the events of Ion Fury, Shelly finds herself awakening from a coma at a secret military base. Though still recovering from injuries sustained on a prior op, she learns nefarious elements have attacked the facility and are pursuing an dangerous artifact known as the Demon Core. With lives hanging in the balance, Shelly straps back up to confront whatever dangers stand in the way of protecting humanity.
Specializing in retro-inspired first-person shooters, Slipgate Ironworks crafts Phantom Fury using the Unreal Engine to evoke classics from the late 90s. Players follow in Shelly’s combat boots as she blasts her way through deserted labs, sprawling military complexes and more familiar urban centers. Along the way, she’ll rely on an arsenal of authentic weapons paired with her signature skills and upgradeable bionic augmentations.
For those longing to experience the thrills of shooters past in high-definition, Phantom Fury could be the nostalgia trip of the season. Let’s hope the third time’s the charm for Shelly and Slipgate Ironworks to deliver another big hit.
Through Chicago Streets and Desert Labs
You play as Shelly “Bombshell” Harrison exploring a variety of distinct locales across America. The action is fast and frenetic, with you blazing through levels engaged in near constant gunplay. Harrison moves nimbly and aims quickly thanks to tight and responsive controls.
Combat against enemies like zombies, mercenaries and mutants drives the campaign forward. They attack relentlessly to halt your progress, but fall easily to your arsenal of seventeen ranged weapons. Classics like the revolver Loverboy return, joined by new guns packing their own surprises. A pistol enables dual wielding while an assault rifle spreads fiery destruction. Satisfying feedback confirms each elimination.
Objectives shift environments from one firefight to the next. Chicago streets give way to desert labs reminiscent of Half-Life. Later you infiltrate a ravaged military base to face mechanized foes. Throughout locations are connected for a cohesive overworld, though waypoints can be obscure at times. Perseverance and exploration tend to reveal the intended path.
Challenges ramp up with upgraded foes, yet difficulties remain fair. Experienced shooters can adjust the challenge to suit their reflexes. When combat heats up, a wide skillset helps including lock-on shots, melee attacks and thrown explosives. Upgrading weapons mid-mission adds exciting strategic angles to stay combat-ready.
With pulse-pounding action, a great arsenal and connected diverse environments, gameplay in Phantom Fury keeps the action frenetic from beginning to end. Subtle challenges and constant variety ensure the high-octane campaign stays fresh and fun.
The Sprawling Journey
Phantom Fury takes players on a colorful cross-country adventure. From the dusty plains of the Southwest to the gritty streets of Chicago and beyond, a diverse range of locales are brought to life through skillful level designs.
Early on, players find themselves traversing an expansive desert laboratory researching new technologies. Venturing through maintenance tunnels and outdoor facilities proves a thrilling introduction, with plenty to discover around each winding corridor. Hidden rooms contain helpful items or intimate voice recordings, fleshing out the world.
Later comes an abandoned military base simmering with activity, as remnants of past experiments now run amok. Towering antennae pierce the heavens above overlapping platforms and cargo bridges linking distinct zones. Careful exploration may uncover supplanted files exposing troubling truths.
One standout sends players soaring through canyons aboard a daring helicopter mission. Rocky outcroppings and snaking arroyos rush by against an overcast sky, as targets below call for swift strafing runs. Perfecting runs to hit moving targets brings a smile.
Cities also shine, with Chicago’s downtown proudly rebuilt in loving detail. Alleyways bursting with refuse or neon signs invite exploration between firefights in lively streets. Everything feels tangible, from grate openings just wide enough to squeeze through to authentic slang heard on cryptic phone calls.
Yet inconsistencies arise. Where one area rewards interactive problem-solving, another sees solutions blocked for no clear reason. At times progression grows needlessly obtuse, as objective indicators fail to guide players struggling to sort puzzles from dead-ends. Still, the journeys remain vibrant enough to overlook small frustrations in search of what new wonders around each turn. Phantom Fury takes players on a sprawling adventure they won’t soon forget.
Phantom Fury’s Atmospheric World
Shelly Harrison’s latest adventure takes place across a diverse array of meticulously crafted environments. Phantom Fury treats players to a visual feast, crafting atmospheric landscapes that feel lived in. Through its retro-inspired presentation, the game sweeps us into the past while maintaining a level of crisp clarity.
Developers poured attention into every corner, ensuring no detail went overlooked. Walls showcase graffiti and posters of years past. We might spy references to classic games or pop culture within the cracks. Subtle animations also emerge, like characters raising an arm to input codes. These small touches collectively breathe life into the world.
Despite leveraging modern capabilities, the visuals maintain nostalgic integrity. Pixels dot surfaces without smoothing, honoring vintage aesthetics. Yet environments appear strikingly clear. Developers balanced respecting retro roots with preventing a dated appearance. The polished results feel simultaneously new and nostalgic.
Lighting proves a key atmospheric tool. Bright zones radiate vibrancy, adopting a lively comic book sheen. Meanwhile darker haunts dimly glow, relying on intermittent tech for illumination. This contrast transforms locales from vibrant to eerie. Players feel constantly engaged surveying each new setting’s mood.
Developers showcased imagination in region diversity as well. Desert bases and ruined cities appear as distinct as jungle corridors and urban streets. Characterful levels stem from meticulous construction, keeping the action consistently refreshing. Throughout Shelly Harrison’s journey, none grow tiring – only drawing us deeper into the suspenseful world around every corner.
Epic Adventure Across America
Shelly “Bombshell” Harrison awakens from a coma to find the world in danger once more. As a top agent for the Global Defense Force, it’s up to her to journey across America and put a stop to those threatening humanity. From secret labs beneath the desert to military compounds in the mountains, her mission will take her to numerous colorful locations.
Harrison proves an entertaining protagonist with her quick wit and refusal to back down even when odds look bleak. Valerie Harem lends the character personality through performance, injecting humor into tense moments. Whether trading barbs with allies or taunting opponents, Bombshell’s one-liners keep things lively. Her camaraderie with those fighting by her side adds warmth against the thrills of combat.
As a first-person shooter, the gameplay focuses on fast-paced action. Waving through areas with an array of firearms, players must outgun everything standing in the way of success. While this adherence to genre means the storyline plays a supporting role, it provides a simple setup for tense missions across varied settings. Fans will appreciate how the narrative serves to transport them to another world for a thrilling ride alongside a charismatic hero.
Phantom Perfection
Shelly Harrison’s latest adventure was full of enthusiasm and ambition, though not without its technical troubles along the way. Phantom Fury aimed high with richly detailed worlds and all manner of effects layered into vibrant landscapes. Yet the strain showed in moments, with frames slowing under such bountiful load. Textures streamed at a steady clip and loading was rarely a bore, but dips emerged when explosions paint the screen in full disaster-movie bloom.
Bugs too made mischief where they could, like when upgrades wouldn’t stick or driving went awry. An autosave served well most times but proved fallible enough, risking lost progress if the game crashed at the wrong moments. These faults never fully ruined the fun, yet left some wonder if more polish could’ve smoothed rough corners. The passion in each scene and gunfight made it easy to forgive small stumbles though, and none felt severe enough to leave the party prematurely.
Still, for a game so ambitious in visuals and mechanics, optimization seemed the next logical step in fulfilling its potential. A few more months in the shop may have tightened things up enough for silky performance from start to end. The story and style entertained throughout despite bumps in the road, making clear what Phantom Fury aimed to be. With refinement over time, it just may reach that next level of technical perfection to match. For now its heart remains in the right place, flaws and all.
A Promising Start
Shelly “Bombshell” Harrison makes her triumphant return in Phantom Fury. While the game shows flashes of brilliance, it’s clear the developers had loftier ambitions than they could fully realize. Slipgate Ironworks crafted a wonderful foundation with Phantom Fury’s varied locales, large arsenal and likeable protagonist. Shelly is as charismatic as ever, exchanging playful quips with enemies before making short work of them. Her exploits traversing the American landscape are an entertaining premise.
Some aspects feel half-baked, like the lackluster boss encounters and occasional bugs. The levels intrigue with their unique set pieces but lose me in obscure pathways. More guidance would strengthen the experience. Unexpected glitches pull one from the immersion. Yet amid faults, Phantom Fury delivers fun where it counts. Mastering each wild weapon brings joy, and discovering surprises tucked in environments rewards curiosity.
Fans of retro first-person shooters will find much to appreciate. Slipgate Ironworks shows clear understanding of what made classics like Half-Life and Duke Nukem 3D timeless. With further polishing, Phantom Fury could join their ranks. It establishes a fine foundation that now requires building upon. Shelly “Bombshell” Harrison deserves a refined follow-up to fully shine. While this outing stumbles at times, its highlights suggest great potential. With perseverance, Shelly’s next adventure may realize the promise glimpsed in Phantom Fury.
The Review
Phantom Fury
Phantom Fury shows flashes of brilliance but remains rough around the edges. Slipgate Ironworks clearly understands what makes retro shooters tick, and Shelly "Bombshell" Harrison is as charismatic a protagonist as ever. However, bugs and unclear level design hold the experience back. If given more time in the oven, this could have been something truly special. As is, Phantom Fury provides sporadic fun for fans willing to overlook its flaws.
PROS
- Engaging retro art style and graphics
- Diverse arsenal of enjoyable weapons
- Likeable protagonist Shelly "Bombshell" Harrison
- Varied level designs with unique set pieces
- Establishes foundation for series with potential
CONS
- Unclear level navigation hinders pace
- Glitches and bugs break immersion
- Boss fights lack substance
- Puzzles and obstacles aren't always logical
- Feels unfinished or rushed in parts
