{"id":333,"date":"2021-07-06T14:55:02","date_gmt":"2021-07-06T14:55:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/engadget.vip\/?p=333"},"modified":"2021-07-06T14:55:02","modified_gmt":"2021-07-06T14:55:02","slug":"phoenix-point-technical-review-simple-and-barebones-yet-still-functional","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/engadget.vip\/?p=333","title":{"rendered":"Phoenix Point technical review \u2013 Simple and barebones, yet still functional"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>

Phoenix Point<\/em> is a brand new game from Julian Gollop, creator of the original XCOM<\/em> titles (or UFO<\/em> as they were known then). It has a few settings to consider, and we\u2019ll dive right into these in our technical review. \u201cDive into it,\u201d get it? It\u2019s because we\u2019re fighting lots of crab people. Okay, enough.<\/p>\n

Note:<\/strong> You can also check out our official review of Phoenix Point<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\"Phoenix<\/p>\n

Phoenix Point: System Requirements<\/h2>\n

Windows Minimum<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  • OS: Win 10, 8 and 7 SP1+ (64 bit)<\/li>\n
  • Processor: Intel Core i3 \/ AMD Phenom II X3<\/li>\n
  • Memory: 8 GB RAM<\/li>\n
  • Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 660 \/ AMD Radeon R9 270<\/li>\n
  • DirectX: Version 11<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Windows Recommended<\/strong><\/p>\n

      \n
    • OS: Win 10, 8 and 7 SP1+ (64 bit)<\/li>\n
    • Processor: Intel Core i5 3GHz \/ AMD FX series 3.2GHz<\/li>\n
    • Memory: 16 GB RAM<\/li>\n
    • Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 \/ AMD Radeon R9 390X<\/li>\n
    • DirectX: Version 11<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Mac Minimum<\/strong><\/p>\n

        \n
      • OS: Mac OSX 10.11 64bit<\/li>\n
      • Processor: Intel Core i3<\/li>\n
      • Memory: 8 GB RAM<\/li>\n
      • Graphics: Radeon Pro 555<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Mac Recommended<\/strong><\/p>\n

          \n
        • OS: Mac OSX 10.11 64bit<\/li>\n
        • Processor: Intel Core i5<\/li>\n
        • Memory: 16 GB RAM<\/li>\n
        • Graphics: AMD Radeon Pro Vega 64<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Author\u2019s<\/strong><\/p>\n

            \n
          • OS: Windows 10 (64-bit)<\/li>\n
          • Processor: Intel Core i7-7700 4.2 GHz<\/li>\n
          • Memory: 16GB RAM<\/li>\n
          • Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 Ti (8 GB)<\/li>\n
          • DirectX: Version 12<\/li>\n
          • Storage: Samsung SSD 800 EVO 500 GB<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            The system requirements come from Phoenix Point<\/em>\u2018s official FAQ. I\u2019m well above the recommended specs for Windows PC players, so everything should be fine. Most players shouldn\u2019t have a problem provided you\u2019ve got a decent rig. Let\u2019s move on to the graphics.<\/p>\n

            \"Pptr<\/p>\n

            Video and graphics settings<\/h2>\n

            Phoenix Point<\/em> only has a handful of video settings which you can see above. You\u2019ll be able to change your resolution, enable v-sync, and choose which monitor the game is displayed in.<\/p>\n

            As for the graphics settings, you\u2019ll see these below:<\/p>\n

            \"Pptr<\/p>\n

            You\u2019ve got your video presets ranging from \u201cvery low\u201d to \u201cultra.\u201d You can also set levels for texture, shader, and particle quality. You\u2019ll be able to toggle shadows on or off as well as shadow distance.<\/p>\n

            There are more options that you can toggle on or off. You\u2019ve got ambient occlusion, depth of field (DOF), bloom, chromatic aberration, and the like.<\/p>\n

            \"Pptr<\/p>\n

            Graphics comparisons<\/h2>\n

            I\u2019ve added two sets of images from Phoenix Point<\/em>\u2018s tutorial mission. I\u2019ve used three different configurations \u2014 ultra @ 4K UHD, low @ 4K UHD, and ultra @ 1080p. As usual, click on each image for a larger view.<\/p>\n

            Tactical battle area<\/strong><\/p>\n

            \"Phoenix<\/p>\n

            Ultra preset @ 4K UHD<\/p>\n

            \"Phoenix<\/p>\n

            Low preset @ 4K UHD<\/p>\n

            \"Phoenix<\/p>\n

            Ultra preset @ 1080p<\/p>\n

            Targeting close-up<\/strong><\/p>\n

            \"Phoenix<\/p>\n

            Ultra preset @ 4K UHD<\/p>\n

            \"Phoenix<\/p>\n

            Low preset @ 4K UHD<\/p>\n

            \"Phoenix<\/p>\n

            Ultra preset @ 1080p<\/p>\n

            You\u2019ll notice that shadows have disappeared and textures look a lot more drab if you lower the settings. Textures and character models also don\u2019t look as polished, and certain features on the map were also no longer rendered (such as foliage).<\/p>\n

            In later cases, blood and dismemberment effects wouldn\u2019t look as striking unless you\u2019re picking higher presets or with every setting enabled. Also, if we downscale to 1080p, the quality suffers slightly, though you\u2019ll mostly notice a darker and rougher tint.<\/p>\n

            Performance and screenshots<\/h2>\n

            Given that Phoenix Point<\/em> is currently an Epic exclusive, it\u2019s also DRM-free if you run it using the executable; you won\u2019t even need a launcher. Still, I opted to run it using Steam by adding the executable as a non-Steam game. This is to add more functionality, especially with screenshots.<\/p>\n

            By default, taking screenshots using Steam would require you to hit F12. You\u2019ll want to rebind that under Steam -> Settings -> In-game. This is because hitting F12 while playing Phoenix Point<\/em> brings up the bug report panel.<\/p>\n

            Phoenix Point<\/em>, when using the ultra preset and 4K UHD resolution, nets me around 35-45 FPS. This can be a downer if you\u2019re expecting constant 60 FPS. Then again, this is a turn-based tactical strategy game, one that emphasizes a slower, more methodical approach. We won\u2019t be hurrying to get extremely high framerates anytime soon. Still, there were a handful of stutters here and there, mostly when using the Fallout 4<\/em> VATS-esque limb-targeting system.<\/p>\n

            There\u2019s also a particular crash that may worry you, assuming that you\u2019re also running the executable via Steam. If you launched the game using the EGS and Steam at various points in time, you\u2019d have two configuration files. In turn, this can cause wonky crashes if in case those configurations don\u2019t match.<\/p>\n

            To fix this, go to \\AppData\\LocalLow\\Snapshot Games Inc\\Phoenix Point\\EGS\\LocalData. This is the folder for your Steam config. Delete the \u201coptions.jopt\u201d file therein and relaunch the game.<\/p>\n

            \"Pptr<\/p>\n

            Gameplay and audio settings<\/h2>\n

            There\u2019s not much to say with regards to Phoenix Point<\/em>\u2018s settings for gameplay (above) and audio (below). The options only allow you to toggle free-cam and disable gameplay data collection \u2014 conveniently named \u201ccollect anonymous telemetry.\u201d As for the audio, you\u2019ve got your usual volume controls and that\u2019s that.<\/p>\n

            \"Pptr<\/p>\n

            Interface and control settings<\/h2>\n

            The interface panel has more options, though, since it also has the control layouts. You can also select the game\u2019s language and enable subtitles from here:<\/p>\n

            \"Pptr<\/p>\n

            Here are the keybinds in Phoenix Point<\/em> which you can\u2019t change at all:<\/p>\n

            \"Pptr<\/p>\n

            They follow the usual and common keybindings for most other turn-based tactical titles, at least, so you should feel right at home. The only oddity here is that scrolling up and down with your mouse tends to be inverted (with regards to zoom functions), and you can\u2019t change this as well:<\/p>\n

            \"Pptr<\/p>\n

            The gamepad layout \u2014 which, likewise, can\u2019t be changed \u2014 is also functional and it works well enough. I have a Logitech F310 and I haven\u2019t come across any problems\u2026 yet. Still, I\u2019d prefer using a mouse and keyboard setup.<\/p>\n

            Anyway, these are the gamepad controls during a mission:<\/p>\n

            \"Pptr<\/p>\n

            Meanwhile, these are the corresponding gamepad buttons when you\u2019re navigating the Geoscape\/world map:<\/p>\n

            \"Pptr<\/p>\n

            Saving<\/h2>\n

            One last thing of note is Phoenix Point<\/em>\u2018s auto-save system. You can manually save at any point in time during a mission or while you\u2019re viewing the Geoscape. However, auto-saving only works prior to launching a mission.<\/p>\n

            Since the game doesn\u2019t automatically save each turn, you ought to be careful. Then again, this could lead to a lot of \u201csave scumming\u201d if you\u2019re a stickler for perfect runs. You\u2019ll find your save file directory in \\AppData\\LocalLow\\Snapshot Games Inc\\Phoenix Point\\EGS\\LocalData.<\/p>\n

            \"Sniper<\/p>\n

            Phoenix Point: At a technical glance<\/h2>\n

            There\u2019s something to be said about Phoenix Point<\/em>\u2018s barebones options. On one hand, you can certainly criticize it for a lack of customization and tweaks that\u2019d be normal in PC titles. On the other, everything does seem functional at a glance. If you\u2019re used to certain turn-based tactical strategy titles, then you\u2019d get used to this one.<\/p>\n

            The graphics and environmental detail won\u2019t necessarily overwhelm you, but they\u2019re passable. Optimization does need to be addressed since being well above the recommended specs still leads to subpar framerates. Then again, the genre doesn\u2019t emphasize that fast-paced and frenetic action, so the flaw isn\u2019t as egregious. Just watch out for some random stutters and split-second freezes when you\u2019re targeting crab people, as these can happen from time to time.<\/p>\n

            \n

            Phoenix Point<\/em> is available via the Epic Games Store. You can also check out our official review.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

            Phoenix Point is a brand new game from Julian Gollop, creator of the original XCOM titles (or UFO as they were known then). It has a few settings to consider, and we\u2019ll dive right into these in our technical review. \u201cDive into it,\u201d get it? It\u2019s because we\u2019re fighting lots of crab people. Okay, enough. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":334,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[464,465],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/engadget.vip\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/333"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/engadget.vip\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/engadget.vip\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/engadget.vip\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/engadget.vip\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=333"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/engadget.vip\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/333\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/engadget.vip\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/334"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/engadget.vip\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=333"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/engadget.vip\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=333"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/engadget.vip\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=333"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}