Phantom Brave PC

I just cannot get into the game, too much effort for small incremental boosts until you break the game and while the gameplay is pretty smooth, i just don't want to invest the time in the game to get to that level. I tried looking at some guides to maximize my character growth but i am not feeling it, i got other games i want to play. I think this game hits a really solid niche but I just do not like the progression it has to make your characters stronger. This game does not deserve a negative rating but i would give it a neutral option if steam had one... The game is interesting and i might watch the cutscenes later on.

The devs of this game don't respect your time. It's loaded with bits that will make you pull out your hair and want to throw your controller at the screen. Eventually, I'll be able to put it down lol. I'm talkin spend 45 minutes running through a random dungeon and doing great, only to have the last level have a boss character that's 2x the level of everyone before that point, you do 1-2 pts of damage when you hit, and who'll head straight for your weakest characters (probably your game-critical summoner and your dungeon emergency-exit characters) and turn that last hour or so into a total waste. The first 30 hours of so I played, I tried to play 'without breaking the game' (ie, minimal grinding and no trying to break the game with 'failure fusions' to clear entire maps with Marona alone), and lost probably 10 hours of that to gameovers with no progress saved because of 'exciting' things the devs setup that often feel downright mean spirited. Eventually, I said "if the devs aren't gonna respect my time, I'm not gonna respect their intended level progressions either" and instantly had a far less frustraiting, and way more fun time. I mean... I was already having enough 'fun' to keep on playing for 30+ hours... but there have been a lot fewer hair-pulling moments since then.

Şimdi Oyunun Ana Hikayesini bitirdim ve bu oyunu aslında tamamen bitirdim DLC gibi bir şey var onuda sonra oynayacam 15 gün ara veriyorum onuda 15 gün sonra oynayıp bitirecem şimdi deneyimlerimi paylaşayım garip bir nokta var benden başka türkçe inceleme yazan olmamış şimdi deneyimlerimi paylaşayım. 1.Oyunun 2D falan olmasına bakmayın sıra tabanlı oyunların atası sayılabilecek kalitede bir oyun karmaşık denecek bir yapısı var oyunu 80 saat oynamışım ki bunu benden başkada kimse 80 saat oynamazdı ama oyunu öğrenmem ve tamamen ilerlemeye başlamam minumum 30 saat sürdü inanılmaz derece karışık , zor ve detaylı bir oyun. 2.Oyunun karakter çeşitliliği oldukça iyi çok farklı karakterler ve her karakterinin kendine ait özellikleri var hele ki bu özellikleri önemseyerek ekibinizi kurarsanız çok kaliteli olur tabii başta bunu yapamıyorsunuz oyunun tutorial kısmı detaylı ve güzelde buna bakarak bile alışmanız minumum 25-30 saat arası sürüyor. 3.Şimdi bir oyun özellikle japon rol yapma oyunuysa ya da japonların yaptığı herhangi bir rol yapma oyunuysa şunu kesinlikle düşünmenizi öneririm uzun süren bir oyun olacağını , zor olacağını ve çok fazla detay olacağını bilmeniz gerekiyor hele ki bu oyun 3D değilde 2D ise işte o zaman hayattan soğumanıza sebep olacak kadar zor ve yorucu olacağını bilmeniz gerekiyor bunları özümseyip kabullendikten sonra başlarsanız bazı şeyler çok daha kolay olur sizler için ama dediğim gibi bu oyuna dair youtube videolar kısıtlı bırak türkçeyi ingilizce kaynaklar dahi o kadar kısıtlı ki ispanyolca ve portekizce kaynakları falan google translate sayesinde çevirip okuyarak öğrendim hele oynarsanız ve tavsiyeye ihtiyacınız olursa bana yazın yardımcı olurum ama koskocaman bir boşluğun ortasında çırpınıyorsunuz. 4.Oyunun hikayesi oldukça güzel ve keyifli olmuş ara sahnelerin çok olması beni bir noktadan sonra rahatsız etti ama isterseniz ara sahneleri izlemeden geçebilirsiniz ama geçersende hikayeden uzaklaşıyorsunuz dayanabildiğiniz kadar izlemenizi kesinlikle öneririm. 5.Oyunda her geçtiğiniz dungeonlardan sonra oyunu kaydetmeyi sakın unutmayın 10 saatlik emeğim oyunu kaydetmediğim için heba oldu her geçtiğiniz dungeon ve macera sonrası kaydedin çünkü oyunda otomatik kaydetme özelliği yok. 6.Kısaca ifade etmem gerekirse zor bir japon rol yapma oyunu ve sıra tabanlı bir oyun arıyorsanız kesinlikle öneririm yok ben gireyim eğleneyim keyif alayım diye girecekseniz önermiyorum oyunun ortalama bitme süresi 100 saat gibi bir süreye sahip bunu da göz önünde bulundurarak oynamaya başlamanızı öneririm ama ben ortalama gamer insanlar için bu oyunu önermiyorum benim gibi kasıntı ve zor oyun seven insanlara ise kesinlikle öneriyorum

First impressions are not good. Like the company's better known series (Disgaea) this is a turn based strategy game. Unlike Disgaea, it does not use a grid. This is not the bad. Good news is you get a bigger team than Disgaea's 10 man team (16 in this one) The bad is that each character can only be summoned for so many turns (best I have so far is 5 turns most are 3-4) which drastically limits individual unit build options. Most Disgaea games you can get through the main story without much grinding. Upon reaching the first boss of this game, my team was not up to beating him, as I estimate around 15 or more turns to clear the boss (4-5 turns with my best fighter) and his minions (9 slimes, 1-3 turns each) and I ran out of units before I reached turn 10. What levels I had access to were not ones I wanted to spend time replaying to upgrade my units, or to expand my roster I want to like it, I love the Disgaea series, but like I said, first impressions for this one were not good.

Such an incredible game. I've never played anything quite like it. The gameplay is some of the most in-depth and thought-provoking that I've ever experienced. The story is very touching and heartfelt with great set-up and pay-off, mundane introductions serve the plot even when you think what's being shown won't be relevant in the moment. The characters, especially Marona and Ash, are very charming and sincere. The dynamic between the two made me smile throughout the entire game. The game's combat system is extremely dense with intricacies and customization that felt a bit daunting when I jumped in blind - but once the story hooked me I did everything I could to brute force my way into understanding all of it. I'm so glad I did, because I don't think there's any other game out there like Phantom Brave. I loved every minute of the game. The story, the characters, the gameplay - all of it. It's a really special game. If you're looking for a heartfelt and extremely tactical SRPG to play, I would recommend giving this one a shot. The game doesn't do a great job at explaining every system mechanic to you, but I don't think that should be a reason to not experience it for yourself. Once the gameplay clicks, it is impossible to put down.

Phantom Brave PC is a tactical RPG built around free-movement positioning rather than grid-based strategy, giving every battle a more fluid and improvisational feel. Characters can move anywhere within their range and push or throw objects and enemies, which creates a system where the terrain matters as much as raw stats. This freedom allows for clever tactics but also introduces a level of chaos that defines the game’s identity. The core mechanic revolves around Marona, a young girl who summons phantom allies by “confining” them to objects on the battlefield. Each object affects the summoned unit’s stats, encouraging experimentation with different combinations. Because phantoms can only stay active for a limited number of turns, the player must plan deployments carefully instead of relying on static party formation. Marona’s story is unusually heartfelt for a strategy RPG. It follows her effort to help people despite constant mistrust and isolation caused by her powers. The narrative focuses heavily on empathy, selflessness, and emotional resilience, giving the game a softer tone compared to other titles from Nippon Ichi Software. Progression is built around deep customization. Units can be strengthened through fusion, item enhancement, and leveling systems that offer extreme flexibility. This depth allows for highly optimized builds but can also feel overwhelming to newcomers due to the amount of micromanagement available. Battlefields are diverse and include environmental quirks such as slippery tiles, stat-altering zones, and movable objects. Combined with the free-movement system, these elements encourage creative solutions rather than straightforward trading of attacks. Fights often turn into puzzles where positioning and turn limits matter more than brute force. The PC version includes improved performance, higher resolutions, and all previously released content, making it the most complete edition of the game. While the visuals reflect its early-2000s origins, the art direction remains charming, and the soundtrack contributes significantly to the game’s emotional tone. Phantom Brave PC stands out as a flexible, inventive strategy RPG that rewards creativity and long-term planning. Its combination of free-form battles, robust customization, and a surprisingly earnest story makes it a distinctive experience within the genre, especially for players who enjoy unconventional tactical mechanics.

なんか４月くらいに出た「幽霊船団と消えた英雄」はいろいろ言われてますが… この作品は本当にいいものなのでやってほしい。 個人的にはちょっと思うところあるストーリー部分もあるけど… おおむねいい物だと言えます。 もう９年前のゲームなので、不便な面もあるけど、戦いの抜け道はいくらでもあるので無双もできちゃいます。 とことん極めたい人ならば特にお勧め。やろうと思えばいくらだって強化可能なので。 なお、自分は新作のほうはプレイしていません。 ですが…高い金出してあちら買うくらいなら、こっちを買ってくれ！

Phantom Brave PC, developed by Nippon Ichi Software and PH3 GmbH and published by NIS America, is a tactical role-playing game that brings a unique and imaginative approach to the genre. Originally released for the PlayStation 2 in 2004, this PC edition, released in 2016, updates the classic with enhanced visuals and additional content drawn from the PSP port Phantom Brave: Hermuda Triangle. The game stands out in the crowded tactical RPG landscape with its innovative mechanics, whimsical narrative, and deep customization options, offering both longtime fans and new players an engaging strategic experience. The story of Phantom Brave PC follows Marona, a young girl with the extraordinary ability to see and communicate with phantoms, and her loyal companion, Ash. Together, they undertake missions across a fantastical world where humans and spirits coexist. The narrative balances lighthearted humor with moments of genuine emotional depth, presenting a cast of memorable characters and charming interactions. While the plot may not reinvent storytelling in RPGs, it provides a strong, heartfelt framework that motivates players to engage with the game’s battles and exploration, and it is enriched by quirky side quests and character-driven narratives that reward attentive play. The game’s combat system is a standout feature, eschewing traditional grid-based movement for a fully gridless tactical environment. This freedom of movement allows for nuanced positioning, creative strategies, and more dynamic encounters. One of the most distinctive mechanics is the ability to bind phantoms to objects in the environment—such as flowers, rocks, or other items—granting them unique abilities and altering their stats. This system encourages experimentation, as players must carefully consider which objects to use and how to best leverage their phantoms’ strengths. Coupled with an extensive customization system, including weapon upgrades, skills, and class development, the game offers considerable strategic depth and replayability. Visually, the PC version of Phantom Brave improves upon the original with higher-resolution character models and richer environments, while preserving the game’s distinctive, charming art style. The expressive character designs and colorful, imaginative locales create a world that is both enchanting and inviting. The soundtrack, composed by Tenpei Sato, is another highlight, featuring memorable and emotive themes that enhance both combat intensity and narrative moments. Limited but well-executed voice acting adds personality to key characters and complements the game’s whimsical tone, further drawing players into the world. While Phantom Brave PC has many strengths, it is not without minor drawbacks. Some players may find the lack of an autosave function frustrating, particularly during longer sessions or challenging battles, as progress can be lost if the game closes unexpectedly. Additionally, certain battles and story segments can feel slow or drawn out, which may test the patience of players seeking a faster-paced tactical experience. Despite these issues, the depth, creativity, and charm of the game more than compensate, making it a rewarding experience for those willing to engage with its mechanics. Overall, Phantom Brave PC is a distinctive and memorable entry in the tactical RPG genre. Its innovative combat system, heartfelt story, and rich character customization set it apart from more conventional strategy games, while its upgraded visuals and soundtrack enhance the classic experience for modern players. The game’s combination of strategy, whimsy, and emotional storytelling makes it a must-play for fans of tactical RPGs and those looking for a unique, character-driven adventure that rewards thoughtful planning and creative problem-solving. Rating: 8/10

I swear one of these days I'll get past the point I was at on the Playstation version and actually beat this ridiculous game.

This game requires an insane amount of grinding. Moreover, it's a strategy game so doing one random battle takes about 20 minutes. Only 14% of people have the achievement for clearing the first chapter. Everything else is interesting and pleasant (I really like the pixel sprites), but I couldn't in good conscience recommend that people spend their time on this.