Phantasmagoria 2: A Puzzle of Flesh

The main pros of the game

• Engaging Story and Mystery: The game features a compelling narrative that unravels over time, keeping players intrigued about the protagonist's identity and circumstances.
• Strong Character Development: Users appreciate the depth of characters and the quality of acting, which is noted to be better than in many other FMV games of the time.
• Interactive Choices: The game allows for more player choices compared to other FMV titles, impacting the story's outcome and providing a sense of agency.
• Atmospheric Presentation: The sets, ambiance, and seamless integration of video with gameplay graphics create an immersive experience.
• Cultural Relevance: The game is praised for its representation of queer themes, which were groundbreaking for its time.

The main cons of the game

• Limited Gameplay Mechanics: Many reviews describe the gameplay as more of an interactive movie than a traditional game, with minimal puzzles and overly simplistic interactions.
• Frustrating Puzzles: Some puzzles are criticized for being illogical or overly complex, detracting from the overall experience.
• Technical Issues: Users report frequent crashes and difficulties with saving progress, often attributing these problems to the reliance on outdated technology like DOSBox.
• Variable Quality: The video quality is noted to be grainy and less impressive by modern standards, which may detract from the experience for some players.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

• More Robust Puzzle Design: Players express a desire for more engaging and logically structured puzzles to enhance the gameplay experience.
• Improved Technical Performance: Users wish for better optimization and stability, as well as modernized saving options to prevent crashes and data loss.
• Remastering: There is a call from fans for a remastered version of the game to improve graphics, performance, and overall experience while preserving the original charm.

Summary

• Overall, *Phantasmagoria 2: A Puzzle of Flesh* is seen as a unique and memorable entry in the FMV genre, with a mix of engaging storytelling and significant flaws that could benefit from modern updates.

Summary generated on: November 23, 2025