Phoenix Point (2019)
Game Description:
In "Phoenix Point," released in 2019, players lead the Phoenix Project, a secretive organization tasked with saving humanity from a mutating alien threat known as the Pandoravirus. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, the game combines turn-based tactical combat with strategic management. As the virus reshapes Earth's ecosystems and spawns horrific creatures, players must explore, research, and form alliances with various human factions, each with their own agendas. Tactical battles require careful planning and adaptation, utilizing a wide array of customizable soldiers, vehicles, and equipment. The game's dynamic narrative and procedural generation ensure a unique experience with each playthrough, challenging players to adapt to ever-evolving threats and make critical decisions to reclaim the planet.
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What Parents Should Know About Phoenix Point
Age Rating
Release Date
2019
ESRB Age Rating Summary:
Phoenix Point is rated T for Teen by the ESRB with Blood, Language, and Violence. This is a strategy game in which players lead a secret organization (Phoenix Project) in its battle against a dangerous alien force. From a 3/4 overhead perspective, players maneuver their squad members around a grid-based battlefield and engage in turn-based combat. Players use machine guns, rifles, pistols, and explosives to kill mutants and alien creatures. Battles are sometimes frenetic, with explosions, cries of pain, and blood-splatter effects; blood sometimes stains the environment. Although most attacks are depicted from a third-person view, players can target specific body parts and weak points from a first-person perspective. The word “sh*t” is heard in the game.
Content Warnings:
Blood, Language, Violence
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Parental Notes
While many parents praise the gameplay experience, they caution that Phoenix Point is not suitable for younger kids. The game includes mild profanity, with the word “sh*t” being heard. The level of violence is intense, featuring blood-splatter effects and cries of pain as players use firearms and explosives against alien creatures. The ability to target specific body parts adds a graphic element to the combat. The game’s post-apocalyptic setting and themes of a mutating alien threat contribute to a mature atmosphere. Many parents recommend it for teens 13 and older due to its violent content and dark themes.
Why Your Kid Might Like Phoenix Point
Teens enjoy "Phoenix Point" for its strategic depth and challenging gameplay. The game offers a unique blend of turn-based tactical combat and strategic management, which keeps players engaged as they lead the Phoenix Project against the alien threat. The dynamic narrative and procedural generation ensure that each playthrough is different, providing endless replayability. Teens appreciate the need for careful planning and adaptation, as they customize soldiers, vehicles, and equipment to tackle the ever-evolving threats posed by the Pandoravirus.
The game's post-apocalyptic setting and the need to form alliances with various human factions add layers of complexity and intrigue. Players are drawn to the decision-making aspect, where choices can significantly impact the outcome of the game. The combination of exploration, research, and combat keeps the experience fresh and exciting. While "Phoenix Point" may not be for everyone, those who enjoy strategy games find it rewarding and challenging, making it a popular choice among teens who appreciate a more cerebral gaming experience.