Return of the Phantom (PC) Playthrough - NintendoComplete
164A playthrough of the CD-ROM talkie version of Microprose's 1993 graphic adventure for Dos PCs, Return of the Phantom.
It might sound odd, but I have Knights of Xentar to thank in knowing that this game even existed. Does anyone remember those old advertisements by Chips & Bits back in 90s gaming magazines? They used to run a deal where if you spent over a certain amount, you'd get a free game of your choice from a list. My parents had ordered Knights of Xentar for me, and it was expensive enough to qualify for a free game. The ad listing was for the floppy disk version of this game. I knew nothing of it and chose it merely because it the cool name. It was a well-made choice, even if it was on accident.
I was really happy to find that, when it arrived in a clear ziplock bag filled with 5 floppy disks and the reference card, that it was actually a graphic adventure (my favorite genre for PC games, then and now). I spent months playing through it - far longer than I ever spent on Knights of Xentar. Most of that time might have been dedicated to the maze at the end, sure, but it was a pretty special game. The rotoscope animation looked fantastic, as did the super-detailed backdrops, even if the game looked a little dark and washed out, and it all carried a nicely somber tone. The soundtrack was also pretty atmospheric, especially on the SB FM. This is the first time I've ever played the CD version, but as far as I can tell, the only difference is the addition of the voices. Everything else was on the floppy version.
I don't think at the time I realized how little game there actually was, though. There are very few puzzles in the game, especially given its a graphic adventure, until you get to the ending. I still had an absolute blast with it, though. It was pretty clever in how it used the original novel to frame its story without copying it nor veering too far from it.
If you're looking for something creepy and not terribly demanding of the gray matter, this just might be the ticket. Makes for a fun Halloween play, at the very least!
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No cheats were used during the recording of this video.
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