Review for The Phantom Fellows

An entertaining, point-and-click paranormal romp, The Phantom Fellows by developer Paul Korman is self-published through Strummer Games. Minimalist pixel-art graphics, combined with music and sound effects, transport players to the fictional town of Elderberry. Here they participate in a hilarious, enjoyable, and expertly written adventure. It features diverse gameplay, which includes fetch quests and a mystery so intriguing it could challenge Sherlock Holmes. While a hotspot indicator would have been helpful during interactive events, nevertheless they were still manageable. These incidents contribute to a coming-of-age story that resonates with many players, as the main characters finally discover their purpose and strengthen their relationship. 

The Phantom Fellows follows a duo of paranormal investigators: Oliver Cobblestone and Englebert Picklebender. In a realm where the living and the departed coexist, Englebert, a ghost, is only visible and audible to Oliver. Englebert acts as a communicator between Oliver and the other ghosts, interpreting their messages for him. Players take control of both characters as they embark on an audacious journey. The two protagonists work together to assist other spirits in moving on to their ultimate destinies.

Englebert is serious and proper, while Oliver is fun and silly. The characters' personalities complement each other well. My favorite exchange between them involves a young woman. Engelbert says to Oliver: “Your compatibility makes me happy for you and sad for her.” I laughed reading this line and regretted the lack of voice acting. (I longed to hear it out loud.) Englebert launches this zinger during an early part of the game. From there, after solving many challenges, Englebert professes “You have never once flinched from the call to adventure. I’m proud of you, Oliver.” From beginning to end, the dialogues enrich an engaging rollercoaster-ride-like narrative.

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Players control this rollercoaster using the mouse and keyboard. Simply point the mouse at the top of the screen to show the menu bar. This contains symbols portraying a foot, mouth, hand, and belt, as well as icons for switching between Englebert and Oliver. Clicking the foot on an area will move the character there, and players can pick up items using the hand icon. To start a conversation, click on the talk balloon, then on a character, and then on one of the topics at the bottom of the screen. To access the inventory, click on the fanny pack icon at the upper-right corner of the screen. Once the inventory window is open, click on the eye icon to view the description of an item. (Understanding the item's description is crucial for knowing how to use it.) The game will provide feedback on the outcome of your actions. Additionally, you can cycle between the icons by right-clicking, and the keyboard can also perform these functions. 

Saving and loading is simple. Pressing “Escape” accesses the menu. Clicking on “Save” allows the player to label their game and clicking on the “Save” button located below the labels saves the game. Loading the game works in a similar fashion. There is also an automatic save and restore component.

This game would benefit from a hotspot indicator. I occasionally had trouble knowing where to click to pick up items or execute commands. Despite its absence, the accessible controls are easy enough to use that players don't have to think about them. They can spend their time absorbing the artwork, music, and puzzles that The Phantom Fellows has to offer.

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The Phantom Fellows displays great-looking pixel art. My favorite setting is The Dodgy Squirrel, a tavern where Oliver and Englebert solve a perplexing paranormal problem. I love this pub’s muted, intimate colors which reflect light from ceiling lamps. The various hues and luminosity spectacularly combine to produce a cozy ambience, perfect for having a pint with a friend. There are lots of characters in the bar who bolster the atmosphere. Characters that, though they are voiceless, brim with life and personality because – reminiscent of Sierra’s early classics – their stark faces allow players to imagine whatever features they prefer. I particularly enjoyed meeting Lara, who helps Oliver learn the history of The Dodgy Squirrel. The excellent writing gives her a sassy personality reminiscent of Lara Croft from Tomb Raider.

Music enhances the atmosphere at The Dodgy Squirrel as well. Slower and less distracting than most of the other tracks, it sounds vaguely Celtic and appropriate for a tavern. The music and charming graphics flood the place with comfort and warmth. These feelings ignite a burning desire to quickly solve The Dodgy Squirrel’s dilemma. Unfortunately, not all the electronic background soundscapes in other locations are appealing, as the tracks are sometimes loud and distracting.

Gameplay includes fetch quests, inventory item sequences, and figuring out solutions to clever puzzles. One noteworthy challenge involves using light to find numbers on a wall, then merging them with a billiards table. I fell behind the eight ball for a little while until I discovered the cunning combination. 

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Over the course of a week in The Phantom Fellows, the lively story unfolds. Day five features a thought-provoking mystery that occurs on a train. Players deduce the identity of the culprit after questioning ghosts by clicking on questions recorded in a notebook and disclosing certain items, hoping to find holes in their stories. This mystery is the apex of the plot rollercoaster. From there, the narrative quickly plunges to a dark finale, and the heroes end up in a place where they never expected to be. 

Together, The Phantom Fellows’ compelling tale, varied challenges, spooky locales, and unexpected ending form a fascinating fusion that will keep players intrigued. I recommend it to all adventurers.