Some games are better off left in the past— Phantom Dust appears to be one of them
Official Xbox Magazine|September 2017

Sometimes there’s nothing better than revisiting an old game you love. Sure, they rarely live up to modern standards, but they can be like a comforting digital hug thanks to the familiar surroundings and sense of nostalgia. Other times, it’s just nice to treat yourself to a bit of a history lesson for a classic that you’ve missed. After all, there are so many that deserve a second chance, perhaps all gussied up with an HD touch-up and some extra little treats. So with that in mind, I recently decided to pick up Phantom Dust, since a fair few people had raved about the original and how ‘unique’ it is. I figured I’d discover something new by playing it and maybe learn a thing or two about games from that era. Ultimately, though, all I did was leave disappointed.

Daniella lucas
Some games are better off left in the past— Phantom Dust appears to be one of them

It all starts out fine. The visuals are, of course, a bit ropey, and the fashion sense is laughably bad, taking an extreme approach to the cliché of RPG characters covered in belts, but you expect that from a game made in 2004, so it’s weirdly charming. The story has a lot of amnesiacs, and you probably would have described its brand of apocalypse as ‘edgy’ back then, but now it’s adorably cringey, like finding old photos of yourself as a child wearing a bandana and a chain wallet. Then you get to your first set of fights, that famously ‘unique’ battle system presents itself, and you quickly realize that everyone has misused the word unique and what they really meant is ‘it’s so bizarre that there’s a good reason it was only ever used once’.

Bu hikaye Official Xbox Magazine dergisinin September 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye Official Xbox Magazine dergisinin September 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

OFFICIAL XBOX MAGAZINE DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
Why I love... Roaming the post-apocalypse
Official Xbox Magazine

Why I love... Roaming the post-apocalypse

How modern releases are continuing to find creativity and beauty within gaming’s most prevalent setting: the end of the world

time-read
3 dak  |
March 2020
10 Best Multiplayer Games
Official Xbox Magazine

10 Best Multiplayer Games

From shooters to kitchen chaos, these titles are best played with friends

time-read
6 dak  |
April 2020
Revved up and ready to go
Official Xbox Magazine

Revved up and ready to go

EA hands the wheel of Need For Speed back over to Criterion Games

time-read
2 dak  |
April 2020
The Elder Scrolls Online: Greymoor
Official Xbox Magazine

The Elder Scrolls Online: Greymoor

Return to Tamriel’s frigid North this summer Chris Burke

time-read
3 dak  |
April 2020
Remothered: Broken Porcelain
Official Xbox Magazine

Remothered: Broken Porcelain

We’re going potty for this cult classic survival horror sequel

time-read
2 dak  |
April 2020
Yakuza 0 Yakuza Kiwami Yakuza Kiwami 2
Official Xbox Magazine

Yakuza 0 Yakuza Kiwami Yakuza Kiwami 2

Triple trouble: Sega’s crime drama trio brings glorious thug‑thumping action to Xbox

time-read
3 dak  |
April 2020
Mosaic
Official Xbox Magazine

Mosaic

ALL AROUND ME ARE FAMILIAR OFFICE SPACES

time-read
4 dak  |
April 2020
The Falconeer
Official Xbox Magazine

The Falconeer

Savouring the joys of flight with an indie that’s living on a (gigantic) wing and a prayer

time-read
2 dak  |
April 2020
10 Best Examples Of Great Architecture On Xbox
Official Xbox Magazine

10 Best Examples Of Great Architecture On Xbox

Games are crammed full of gorgeously crafted designs and architecture. From gables to gargoyles, we look at the best building designs on Xbox One

time-read
5 dak  |
March 2020
THE PROMISED 'LANDS
Official Xbox Magazine

THE PROMISED 'LANDS

With so many great games competing for our time, how do you keep gamers locking and loading? Gearbox’s looter-shooter, Borderlands 3, knows how…

time-read
6 dak  |
March 2020