A new open playtest for the upcoming cooperative shooter Phantom Line will run from March 3 through March 10, 2026, giving players an early look at new gameplay systems, enemies, and environments. The week-long test introduces a major overhaul of core mechanics along with fresh story elements set in a post-nuclear Europe.
Developers say the new build significantly reworks the game’s movement, camera, and interaction systems while adding a training facility and expanded world content.
A New Open Playtest Begins March 3
The latest playtest places players in the role of elite special-operations soldiers working for Mortfield Industries, a powerful megacorporation tasked with investigating paranormal threats hidden from the public.
According to the game’s premise, nuclear chaos has recently erupted across Europe. Players are deployed to investigate a facility that has suddenly gone dark following their previous mission months earlier.
During the March 3–10 testing period, players will also gain access to Mortfield’s newly constructed training facility. The location serves as a hub where operators can practice mechanics, test equipment, and prepare for missions under simulated conditions.
The playtest also introduces new anomalies, enemy types, mysteries, and mission challenges designed to expand the game’s cooperative experience.
Major Gameplay Improvements Since Last Year
Players who participated in the previous playtest should notice significant changes immediately.
Developers say the game’s “3Cs”—character movement, camera systems, and controls—have been rebuilt from the ground up. Updates include:
- New character animations
- A redesigned movement and interaction system
- Improved camera mechanics
- Advanced spatial audio
- Updated environmental biomes and weather effects
The development team also addressed player feedback from earlier tests, fixing numerous bugs and improving networking performance.
While the game is still in development, the studio says the new version is “sharper, smoother, and punchier” than earlier builds.
What Phantom Line Is About
A Cooperative Post-Nuclear Shooter
Phantom Line is a cooperative shooter that supports one to four players. Set on a devastated European continent following nuclear war, the game blends tactical combat with paranormal investigation.
Players explore an open world filled with dynamic events while searching for and containing dangerous supernatural phenomena known as “anomalies.”
The H.U.S.K. Operator Program
Players assume the role of operators recruited by Mortfield Industries and enrolled in the H.U.S.K. Operator Simulation Program.
Through this system, a character’s consciousness can be transferred between artificial bodies called “husks.” These husks can be deployed strategically during missions—for scouting areas, distracting enemies, or acting as decoys.
The mechanic introduces tactical flexibility, allowing players to experiment with multiple approaches during encounters.
Paranormal Threats and Anomalies
The world of Phantom Line is populated by anomalies—paranormal creatures and phenomena believed to leak into reality through fractures in the space-time continuum.
These unpredictable threats pose a growing danger to humanity, requiring specialized operators to investigate and contain them before they escalate.
A Mobile Base and Customization
Players operate from a nuclear-powered icebreaker ship that serves as their central base.
From this hub, players can:
- Customize their husks and living quarters
- Display weapons and armor collections
- Modify gear and augment their artificial bodies
- Receive mission briefings before heading into the field
The icebreaker functions as both a strategic command center and a social space for teams preparing for their next mission.
Surviving the Iron Corridor
Most of the game takes place in a dangerous region known as the Iron Corridor—an Eastern European warzone left lawless and resource-starved after nuclear conflict.
Operators working in this environment must scavenge equipment, search for food, and improvise constantly. The world is unpredictable, and threats—both human and supernatural—can emerge at any moment.
Players must carefully study their surroundings, plan their tactics, and adapt quickly to survive.
Humanity’s War Against the Unknown
As the paranormal threat grows, operators must rely on experimental technology and exotic materials recovered from anomalies themselves.
Augmentations derived from these encounters allow players to enhance their capabilities, gradually transforming into powerful hunters capable of confronting increasingly dangerous phenomena.
Looking Ahead
The March 3–10 open playtest offers players an opportunity to experience a major evolution of Phantom Line while helping developers refine gameplay ahead of release. With expanded mechanics, a revamped core system, and new environments to explore, the test marks a significant milestone in the game’s development as it moves closer to launch.
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