Solid DLC. New scenarios are interesting, although first half is bit on introductory side. Manoeuvers in Mongolia and horror of supply lines in Finland are well modeled. What made the biggest impressiion on me was that the engine generated close to real life narratives, through organic mechanic. No sudden modificators, not using numbers instead of minimal tactical thinking. I'm still yet to finish Barbarossa part, but even this DLC is worth recommending just for Winter War and Chalcyn-Gol. While maps are somewhat big, they leave a lot of breath for operation scale. Definetely better than Panzer Corps - less slugfest, better supply model, better model of combined arms and less cluter.
Interface is tedious, lacks solid testing. Repeating introductory 10 minutes becomes chore. The premise of the game is not delivered, because it is linear and simplistic. Basically it requires you to compare words, without serious double-layer analysis, as scoring system gratifies only simplest reasonings. Gameplay is too slow, too unfocused so I dropped the game after few hours. Premise is solid, but there is a lack of execution - lack of pacing, consideration on interface and puzzles.
Yes, there is some grindfest in this game, but it is alleviated by multiple possible options, so rather than focusing on one thing in specific, you may do many smaller things at one. Some parts are underdeveloped, but the basic game content is enough for 30+ hours. There is also a lot to explore and many sources for feeling accomplishment. It is not an universal game, but for people with knack for management and long hauls, this will last for a long time. I loved Factorio, my wife loved Stardew Valley. Both of us enjoy GK.
Good, memorable story. Solid dialogues and nice twist. Puzzles are rather intuitive, but there are some exceptions. Moral choices are brilliantly constructed, I really felt the bitterness at the end of each act. Graphics is low-budget pixel art, but important parts are well crafted. Slightly too short, but worth money, time and effort
It has some pitfalls, as graphics and missions are repetitive, but the plot and atmosphere carries the day. It resembles Hard West, even to a point of less intuitive shooting mechanic and some twists to tactical scale. If you enjoyed HW as I did, Phantom Doctrine is a solid kick. Hopefully devs will add some more designs and subplots, but even at this stage is innovative and memorable. Not perfect, not brilliant, but memorable and worth playing.
Nice tactical layer, decent economical side, solid graphics and mood. Combat have might be faster, especially when heavier mechs fight. Customization options are very close to boardgame. Nice OST, worth buying separately.Story is engaging, NPCs are easy to attach. Not only quality of lore is solid, but also its delivery (a lot of fluff, tags, histories etc - I hope that they will affect the missions more). Unfortunately, it is unstable (3 crashes for 4 hours of play). Even worse are sluggish loadings (5 mins to load just the basic menu on i7/SS/GTX1070, is processing the entry menu really so demanding?). I recommend to wait for patched version, especially if they also improve the pacing of the combat. I guess it will be similar to Shadowruns - it will get better after a few patches. If they do, I would buy some DLCs, because it has potential for solid strategic depth, even more complex than XCOM2 (vanilla). When it works, it has great visuals and nice depth,it has potential to 4 or 4,5 if the campaign unfolds nicely. Unfortunately it does not work well at this build.
Nice tactical layer, decent economical side, solid graphics and mood. Combat have might be faster, especially when heavier mechs fight. Customization options are very close to boardgame. Nice OST, worth buying separately.Story is engaging, NPCs are easy to attach. Not only quality of lore is solid, but also its delivery (a lot of fluff, tags, histories etc - I hope that they will affect the missions more). Unfortunately, it is unstable (3 crashes for 4 hours of play). Even worse are sluggish loadings (5 mins to load just the basic menu on i7/SS/GTX1070, is processing the entry menu really so demanding?). I recommend to wait for patched version, especially if they also improve the pacing of the combat. I guess it will be similar to Shadowruns - it will get better after a few patches. If they do, I would buy some DLCs, because it has potential for solid strategic depth, even more complex than XCOM2 (vanilla). When it works, it has great visuals and nice depth,it has potential to 4 or 4,5 if the campaign unfolds nicely. Unfortunately it does not work well at this build.
Solid economy-strategy game. Topic is controversial, but mechanisms are well polished. No bugs, no breaks. Brings back 1869, High Seas Trader and other medium-hardcore sailing trade games
