Here at Pocket Gamer, we strive to bring you the latest on the mobile gaming scene, but occasionally, a gem like Dynabytes' Fantasma slips through the cracks. I had the chance to discover this game at Gamescom Latam last week, and it's an augmented reality multiplayer GPS adventure that's a mouthful to say, but definitely worth exploring.
Fantasma made a splash at the show not only to raise awareness but also to celebrate its latest update, which introduces support for Japanese, Korean, Malay, and Portuguese—fitting, given the event's Brazilian venue. But Dynabytes isn't stopping there; they've promised to roll out Spanish, Italian, and German in the coming months, ensuring even more players can join the fun.
So, what's the deal with Fantasma? You're on a mission to track down and battle the titular enemies, who are causing quite the stir in the real world. To lure them in, you'll deploy portable electromagnetic fields—think of it as bait, but without the fishing rod. Once these paranormal-like entities are enticed, you'll engage them in augmented reality combat. This means you'll be swinging your phone around your surroundings, whether it's your bedroom or a local park, keeping the Fantasma in your sights as you tap the screen to shoot energy balls at them. After depleting their health, you can capture them in specialized bottles.
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The Fantasmas you encounter appear based on your real-world location, encouraging you to explore your surroundings to find more. However, deploying sensors can expand your radar, drawing these entities from further away. And you don't have to go it alone; teaming up with other players adds a social element to the experience.
Fantasma is now available on the App Store and Google Play, and it's free-to-play with in-app purchases. If you're intrigued, you can download it for your preferred platform using the links below.
If you're a fan of this genre, don't miss our list of some of the best AR games available for iOS.