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The renowned Japanese developer Nippon Ichi Software is best known for the iconic tactical RPG series Disgaea. However, another exceptional SRPG from the studio, Phantom Brave, originally released a year after the first Disgaea on PS2, deserves equal recognition for its innovative mechanics and compelling gameplay. Following the trend of bringing classic console titles to PC, NIS America has released Phantom Brave PC on Steam. This review explores whether Phantom Brave PC lives up to its legacy and delivers a captivating tactical RPG experience.

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Free-Flowing Tactical Combat

Fans of Disgaea will find familiar elements in Phantom Brave PC‘s tactical RPG gameplay. Starting from a designated point, players maneuver their characters across the battlefield, taking turns to eliminate enemies. However, Phantom Brave PC introduces a refreshing layer of freedom to this familiar formula. Instead of restricting movement to a grid, characters can move freely within a certain range. This allows for greater tactical flexibility, enabling players to reposition characters after attacking, regroup with allies, and devise more dynamic strategies.

Phantom Brave PC breaks free from the constraints of grid-based movement, offering a more fluid and dynamic combat experience.

The “Confine” mechanic is another innovative element that adds depth and challenge to the gameplay. Players must strategically utilize the main character, Marona, to summon phantoms using the Confine mechanic. These phantoms are summoned by binding them to objects on the battlefield, such as rocks or trees. Each object can only be used once per battle, and summoned phantoms have a limited number of turns they can remain active. This time constraint forces players to carefully plan their summons and consider the timing of their actions, preventing mindless spamming of the Confine ability.

Furthermore, battlefield objects can be equipped as weapons, each with unique skills and properties. Linking objects together can grant additional advantages to characters, adding another layer of tactical consideration. The game also features other familiar mechanics like Lift/Throw, skill leveling, and item equipping, offering a wealth of options for players to explore.

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Extensive Character Customization

Phantom Brave PC boasts a diverse roster of character classes, each with unique roles and abilities. This variety allows for immense strategic creativity, enabling players to tailor their party composition to their preferred playstyle. Starting with a limited selection, players unlock new classes as they progress through the game. With over 50 character classes, each possessing distinct traits and specializations, there’s ample opportunity to experiment with different team builds and avoid being locked into a single strategy.

Character creation involves a monetary investment, with stronger characters requiring a higher cost. The amount spent determines the number of stat points available for allocation, allowing players to fine-tune their characters’ attributes. Phantom Brave PC also allows for grinding on previously completed stages. This provides a way to power up specific characters or skills by repeatedly replaying earlier battles.

Phantom Brave PC offers extensive character customization with a wide variety of classes and strategic options.

The Confine mechanic also plays a crucial role in character customization. Binding a character to a specific object influences their stats. For example, confining a character to a rock can significantly boost their defense and HP but may reduce their attack power or movement speed. This interplay between character classes, stat allocation, and the Confine mechanic creates a deep and engaging customization system.

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A Quality Port with Minor Drawbacks

Unlike some other ports that have suffered from technical issues, Phantom Brave PC is a well-executed and polished rendition of the original game. It runs smoothly at 60 frames per second with no noticeable stuttering or audio glitches. Crashes are also rare, ensuring a consistent and enjoyable gameplay experience. The user interface has been updated with higher resolution visuals, and the game supports multiple screen resolutions. Phantom Brave PC includes all content from the original PS2 release, as well as the expansions from the Wii and PSP versions.

Phantom Brave PC delivers a high-quality port with smooth performance and updated visuals.

Despite the improved UI, the character models remain unchanged from the PS2 version, retaining their low-resolution 2D appearance. While completely revamping the character models would have been a significant undertaking, the dated visuals might deter some newcomers unfamiliar with the game’s charm. Another minor flaw is the lack of a restart option within battle stages. If players make a critical mistake, they must exit to the main menu and reload the game, which can be slightly inconvenient.

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Conclusion

Phantom Brave PC successfully brings a classic SRPG to a new audience with its engaging free-flowing combat, deep customization options, and a well-executed port. While the dated character models and lack of a restart option are minor drawbacks, they don’t detract significantly from the overall experience. For fans of tactical RPGs, especially those who enjoy the unique style of Nippon Ichi Software, Phantom Brave PC is a must-play.