The original Metal Gear basically invented the stealth genre, and so it's no surprise that the franchise has gone on to inspire countless imitators. Few stealth games have actually managed to live up to the Metal Gear legacy, but one game that comes surprisingly close is Phantom: Covert Ops, an Oculus-exclusive virtual reality game from nDreams with a very unique twist on the formula. Phantom: Covert Ops is Metal Gear Solid, but in a kayak.
Phantom: Covert Ops doesn't hide the fact that it has been heavily influenced by Hideo Kojima's Metal Gear Solid. There are certain rooms in the game that look like they were ripped right from Shadow Moses Island, with the exact same lighting and general design that one would expect to see. The player character is in constant radio communication with their superiors and other characters throughout the experience, the sound effects are similar to the ones in Metal Gear Solid, and to top it all off, Solid Snake voice actor David Hayter has a central role in the game.
In Phantom: Covert Ops, David Hayter voices villain General Zhurov, who was supposedly killed during the Cold War. However, it's discovered very early on in Phantom: Covert Ops that Zhurov is alive, and so the mission then becomes all about stopping his latest world-ending scheme and taking him out for good. Despite the player character being restricted to a kayak from the start all the way to the end credits, the story in Phantom: Covert Ops is actually pretty engaging, with some surprising twists and a gut-punch ending that will leave players eager to see what happens next.
Players spend the entirety of Phantom: Covert Ops in a kayak, and while that sounds like it would limit the game's potential, it actually works perfectly for the medium. Phantom: Covert Ops is a seated virtual reality experience, with everything players need either attached to them or to their boat. This eliminates the need to have immersion-breaking telekinesis powers that are used in many other VR games, and it also ensures that Phantom: Covert Ops is a game that really only works in VR.
Phantom: Covert Ops' story campaign is a pretty linear experience, but players are given a lot of freedom with how they choose to tackle each situation, with numerous tools at their disposal. While the equipment changes throughout, generally players have a few silenced guns they can use to quietly take out enemies, timed-explosives that can destroy heavy equipment, and perhaps the most important tool, a pair of specialized binoculars that can highlight enemies and objects of interest.
The best stealth games give players the freedom to approach each situation how they want, and Phantom: Covert Ops is no exception. Players can choose to hang back and pick off enemies from afar with their sniper rifle, or they can create diversions and try to slip by unnoticed. Players are rewarded with higher scores for only killing high-value targets and leaving most everyone else alive, but they aren't forced to restart a section or anything like that if they decide to take a more aggressive approach.
With the entire game taking place in a kayak, some players may be confused as to how Phantom: Covert Ops' stealth mechanics work, but it all makes sense. Players have to avoid an enemy's line of sight like they would in most other stealth games, as well as take out security cameras and spotlights. Enemies are more likely to spot players if they move too quickly through the water, and so the slow and steady approach works best. Players can also hide in reeds to remain hidden and plan their next move.
None of this would work if moving the kayak wasn't fun, but luckily, Phantom: Covert Ops has absolutely nailed the kayak controls. Players have to paddle through the water just like they would in real life, and while it may sound like that would be annoying or get old, the range of motion required is small enough that it never really becomes tiring. Before too long, Phantom: Covert Ops players will find themselves zipping through the water and making sharp turns with ease. The only issue is that braking doesn't seem to work the best all the time. Sometimes players will be able to stop their kayak on a dime, but other times they will find themselves helplessly floating forward, out in the open and into danger. This can be frustrating as there's really nothing players can do but sit and wait for enemies to spot and kill them.
On the bright side, Phantom: Covert Ops features multiple difficulty options for players to choose from, so the stealth experience is only as intense as players want it to be. Those who find stealth games frustrating can decide to play on the lower difficulty level, and those looking for more of a challenge can ratchet things up. A lot of stealth games avoid difficulty options, so they're appreciated in Phantom: Covert Ops.
Stealth fans and those that like Hideo Kojima's Metal Gear Solid games will likely enjoy Phantom: Covert Ops quite a bit, but they may still be disappointed by its length. There are seven main story missions in the game, with each one taking roughly 20-30 minutes to complete, depending on player skill. This means that the entire story can be completed in about four hours or so, and the linearity of the campaign missions means that replaying them can be a bit tedious. The freeplay versions of the missions are a little more interesting as they let players customize their kayak and loadouts, but it's still just redoing the same objectives.
The developers attempted to add some replay value through the challenges, but they aren't all that compelling. By getting high scores on the campaign missions, Phantom: Covert Ops players can unlock challenges like shooting galleries, but they will likely be one and done experiences for most players.
While Phantom: Covert Ops doesn't really give players a compelling reason to replay it, the first time through the campaign is a memorable experience thanks to the great story and fun stealth-action gameplay. Beyond that, it's also worth playing because of its graphics, which make great use of shadows and lighting to truly immerse players in the setting. Watching water drip from the paddle and ripple realistically will give players one of those "wow" moments that really show the value of virtual reality.
Something must also be said for Phantom: Covert Ops' heart-pounding music (it makes moments like escaping from an enemy helicopter especially thrilling) and top of the line voice acting. Having David Hayter certainly doesn't hurt, but the entire cast does a great job. A lot of the dialogue is generic and derivative, but the plot itself stays interesting from start to finish and will be one of the main reasons why players see Phantom: Covert Ops out to its conclusion.
Phantom: Covert Ops is a bit on the short side, but it's a top-tier virtual reality game while it lasts. Any Metal Gear Solid fans that own an Oculus Quest or Oculus Rift should definitely consider checking it out.
Phantom: Covert Ops is out now, exclusively for Oculus devices. The Best War Games was provided a code for this review.
Phantom: Covert Ops
- Released
- June 25, 2020
- ESRB
- m
- Genre(s)
- FPS, Stealth