Nov 20, 2024

Phantom Spark

A unique sci-fi arcade precision speed racer focused on time-trials and most likely my Game Of The Year for 2024.

It is, initially, addictive "just one more game" the challenge and replay-ability is through the roof but as I hinted at you may tire of it given the architecture of the level design is a bit samey overall but it is indie so it gets a pass in my book. That's not to say it's not a good looking game it most certainly is very easy on the eyes nothing mind blowing just the aesthetic and theme are excellent with a very warm pastel colour palate and interesting and alien like level design. The game is also quite slick in just about every aspect with intuitive and tight controls (easy to learn hard to master) intuitive UI, incredibly easy to pick up and play, interesting mix of personalities of 3 "champions" and a good mix of track variation. I'm not as sold on the soundtrack as some others were and I streamed my own music over the top instead.

Negatives include: vehicles with limited customisation and differentiation although whats it has, a vehicle selector with small variation in design, is fine and suits the overall ethereal theme of the game. Other small gripes are that it looks a little grainy..? It's ever so slightly pricey for content too I feel, there's also no current plans for DLC that I know of and not much differentiation in verticality or gravity effects used in course design which is honestly my biggest let down here what I wouldn't do for some more thrills in the track design.

Overall though this game is amazing and if you don't believe me try the demo, I really hope that it gets revisited I think they are onto a winning formula here.