Phantom Squad Review: A Fun Co-op Shooter Marred by Frustrating Flaws
On paper, Phantom Squad is a dream come true. It’s a top-down, co-op tactical shooter that promises the meticulous planning of Doorkickers with the direct control of Hotline Miami. And for the most part, it's a goddamn blast of coordinated breaches and intense firefights. But for every moment of tactical genius, there's a moment of pure, unfiltered jank that tests the limits of your patience.
The Beauty of a Plan Coming Together
When you're synced up with your squad, this game sings. You're drawing attack routes on the map, calling out targets, and timing your flashbangs for a perfect breach. The gunplay is lethal, the gadgets are varied, and executing a flawless room clear without any friendly fire casualties is a genuine thrill. The friendly fire itself is a fantastic feature, forcing you to actually think about your positioning instead of just spraying bullets everywhere. It's in these moments that the game's brilliant potential shines through.
The Unpredictable Chaos
The game's rough edges are where the chaos truly lives. The enemy AI operates on two settings: "legally blind" and "psychic aimbot god," which turns every encounter into an unpredictable firefight. It's less about perfect stealth and more about reacting to the beautiful, hilarious mess that unfolds when a guard who shouldn't have seen you suddenly opens fire. It's frustrating, sure, but it also leads to some unforgettable "oh shit" moments with your friends.
The Friendship Test Known as Mission Six
And then there's Mission Six. Let's not mince words: this level is a bastard. It's a long, unforgiving, forced-stealth section with no checkpoints that feels designed to make you hate your friends. It's a massive difficulty spike and a huge design flaw. But, in a weird, masochistic way, finally beating it after hours of failure feels like a genuine accomplishment. It's a legendary pain in the ass that you and your squad will talk about long after you're done playing. It's a shared trauma, and isn't that what co-op gaming is all about?
A Promising Foundation
The game is undeniably thin on content right now. The weapon balance could use a lot of work, and once you've beaten the handful of missions, there isn't much to bring you back. But the core gameplay loop is so damn fun that it leaves you wanting more. It feels like a fantastic foundation for a game that could become a co-op classic with more maps, more gadgets, and some serious balancing.
The Verdict
Despite my complaints, I have to admit it: I had a lot of fun with Phantom Squad. It's a janky, unbalanced, and sometimes infuriating mess. But it's our mess. It's a game that creates hilarious stories of failure and triumphant, last-second victories. If you're looking for a polished single-player tactical sim, this ain't it. But if you've got a squad of friends who can laugh through the bullshit and appreciate some raw, chaotic co-op action, this is absolutely worth your time.
Score: 6.5/10 - A chaotic and janky co-op blast that's frustratingly fun.
We at NLM received a key for this game for free, this however didn't impact our review in any way.