Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero | |||
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Gameplay & Story | Release Date | Pre-Order & DLC | Review |
Join Marona, Apricot, and their crew on an adventure as they confront the Shipwreck Fleet in Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero! Read our review to see what it did well, what it didn't do well, and if it's worth buying
Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero Review Overview
What is Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero?
Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero, developed by Nippon Ichi Software, will be released for consoles (Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and PlayStation 4) on January 30, 2025, with a PC version planned for release in Spring 2025. This marks the return of the tactical RPG series twenty years after the original Phantom Brave debuted on the PlayStation 2 in 2004.
This sequel returns to the world of Ivoire, where players once again assume the role of Marona, a young woman with the ability to communicate with Phantoms—the lingering souls of the departed. A new threat emerges in the form of the Shipwreck Fleet, prompting Marona, alongside her Phantom companion Ash and a new character named Apricot, to seek out the Argento Pirate Crew, the only ones who ever stood victorious against the said ghost ship fleet.
Marona’s power extends beyond merely communicating to Phantoms. In combat, she can bind allied Phantoms’ souls to objects in the environment to have them join the fight. Players can also customize and strengthen their characters through various methods, including merging Phantoms with Marona herself.
Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero features:
⚫︎ Turn-Based Strategy RPG with Gridless Map
⚫︎ "Confine" Units to Objects
⚫︎ Hours Upon Hours of Post-Game Content
⚫︎ Fusions, Titles, Gadgets, and More
⚫︎ Over 50 Different Units Types to Create
For more gameplay details, read everything we know about Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero’s gameplay and story.
Steam | Nintendo | PlayStation | ||||||
Wishlist Only | $59.99 |
Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero Pros & Cons
Pros | Cons |
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Plenty of Mechanics and Facilities to Tinker With
Still Full of Humor and Heart
Colorful Visuals Fill the Screen |
A Lot of Pacing Issues
Shallow Character Development
Lack of Variety in the Maps Within Chapters
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Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero Overall Score - 82/100
It’s genuinely exciting that Nippon Ichi Software has finally given Phantom Brave some proper attention beyond just cameos and remasters. Calling it a sequel feels earned, as the game expands on the core systems that made the first so beloved. The transition to 3D, the addition of new mechanics, and the added depth to its gameplay all serve to capture what made the first game so captivating. Although its story isn't as good as the original's, the mere existence of this sequel is enough to make fans of the series optimistic for the future. If The Lost Hero is any indication, Nippon Ichi has more in store for this series, and that’s a win in itself.
Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero Story - 6/10
Unfortunately, Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero’s story just doesn’t have the same weight or lasting impact the first game had. Conflicts pop up and get resolved so quickly that they don’t really leave a mark. These conflicts also tend to be isolated to single islands, making the overall journey feel disjointed rather than cohesive. Apricot's crew especially suffer from this structure, with their potential for more growth being cut short. But even with its narrative shortcomings, the game at least still has the original’s charm. There’s a warmth and humor to The Lost Hero that’s genuinely appealing. I mean, who can resist a groan and a laugh at a place called "Basic Beach"? Little details like that give the game personality, even when the main plot feels underwhelming.
Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero Gameplay - 10/10
While The Lost Hero may falter in its storytelling, its gameplay more than compensates. There's surprising complexity in how you can approach each island and its challenges, and it's really up to you to figure out what works best. Whether you prefer to plan out every move or bombard enemies with your army of phantoms, the game accomodates both styles. My heart has a soft spot for games that offer depth for players who want to dig into its mechanics, but also don't punish those who prefer a simpler experience. The game strikes a great balance that makes it enjoyable for a wider range of players. For those who like mix-maxing, however, there are dungeons somewhat reminiscent of the Item World from Disgaea that provides a wealth of content long after the credits roll.
Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero Visuals - 9/10
It’s a good thing that Disgaea 6 was a learning experience for NIS’ move to 3D, as Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero definitely reaps the rewards. While I’ll always have a soft spot for the original’s 2D sprites, the sequel’s 3D models have a distinct vibrancy that is hard to ignore. The colors pop off the screen in a way that gives the world a fresh feel, and the concepts of each island are as imaginative as ever. The one thing that really holds it back is the repetitive map designs; having to fight through waves of enemies in the same-looking areas five times a chapter gets old fast.
Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero Audio - 8/10
Nippon Ichi Software has a knack for creating audio that perfectly fits their unique game worlds, and Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero is another strong example. The soundtrack captures the vibe of the islands and grounds the game in its setting. However, while the music is excellent, the voice acting is inconsistent. Traditionally, NIS games like Disgaea have featured above-average voice work, often with a quirky, almost campy style that adds to their humor and charm. The Lost Hero's voice cast mostly does a solid job to bring the characters to life with energy. However, some performances, especially during emotional scenes, feel flat. This is particularly noticeable with one of the series' iconic characters. It's a small blemish in an otherwise strong audio presentation, but one that occasionally pulls you out of the immersion that the music and sound design work hard to create.
Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero Value for Money - 8/10
It's hard to recommend any game at full price, especially Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero. NIS games have always appealed to a niche audience, and this one is no different. At $60, The Lost Hero offers a substantial amount of content, with much of its challenge and additional features (including NIS cameos) unlocking later in the game and post-game. Fans of the original Phantom Brave, NIS titles, or strategy RPGs in general will likely enjoy it. Newcomers might also find it appealing, though the price tag warrants consideration. Despite the cost, there's a lot to discover here for those who do decide to take the plunge.
Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero Review: A Phantom of What Was
Truth be told, I understand the sentiment of those who believe Phantom Brave didn’t need a sequel. The original game delivered a beautifully self-contained story, with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Marona and Ash’s journey felt complete. But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t thrilled when the announcement trailer dropped, and I saw those two familiar faces again. Sure, the nostalgia was there, but there was also the excitement of Nippon Ichi Software finally turning its gaze away from its ever-favored child, Disgaea, to shine a light to another gem from their early 2000s repertoire. And not just another remaster or rerelease of the 2004 PS2 game—but a sequel. A real continuation to their story.
Of course, I was still cautious despite it all. Could they recapture the charm of what made the original special? I wanted to believe they could. I wanted to see what Nippon Ichi had up their sleeves for these beloved characters who had already endured so much and found their peace. After all, Marona and Ash’s tale had been tied up with a neat little bow—what more was there to say?
Turns out… not much.
That's not to say that the game isn't fun. On the contrary, I quite enjoyed my time with Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero and believe it to be a solid follow-up to a beloved game from two decades ago. That said, the legacy it inherits casts a long shadow, and comparisons are inevitable.
Shallow Waters Ahead
Let me begin with a short recap of the first Phantom Brave. The original game introduced players to Marona, a "cursed" Chroma who could summon phantoms (spirits of the departed) to her aid, and Ash, a ghostly warrior bound to her service. Together, they journeyed through a world that ostracized them, yet ultimately decided to still save it—even when the price of their choice was almost too heavy to bear. It was a story balanced by both humor and warmth that left little room—or need—for a sequel.
Yet here we are with Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero, set six months after the events of the first game. Following a sudden ambush by the Shipwreck Fleet, Marona and Ash are separated, thrusting her into unfamiliar waters. Marona soon encounters Apricot, a pirate phantom searching for her father—the legendary captain of the Argento Pirate Crew and the only man to ever defeat the Shipwreck Fleet. With the crew in shambles after his disappearance, Apricot’s mission is as much about rebuilding the said crew as it is about finding her father. Marona, ever the beacon of empathy, agrees to help her as she also searches for Ash.
Right from the outset, Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero strikes a noticeably different tone compared to its predecessor. Where the first game’s chapters delved into themes of human nature and the corrosive effects of prejudice, the sequel often feels like it’s content to skim the surface. Challenges arise, are swiftly resolved, and leave little lasting impact. The pacing sacrifices depth, as the story never lingers long enough for its conflicts to truly resonate. The result are journeys that feel fleeting, solved too easily as the crew sails from island to island.
Character development suffers under this approach, particularly for the deuteragonists. Many of them complete their arcs almost as soon as they are introduced and leave little room for growth. Instead of evolving with the plot, most characters remain somewhat static, with their personal struggles feeling inconsequential in the overarching plot. Even when the narrative touches heavier themes, resolutions feel too neat, as a single speech often resolves conflicts.
Predictability further compounds these issues. The game aims to explore themes of personal healing, but it does so in ways that feel formulaic. Plot twists feel the same, with one twist in particular so glaringly obvious that it drains the story of tension. It's frustrating when the characters take so long to reach a conclusion players likely figured out within the first few minutes of the game.
Out With the Old, In With the Apricot
Fortunately, the new cast of characters and their interactions more than compensate for this lack. The ensemble’s chemistry is undeniable, with each member bringing their own flair and personality to the group. It’s always a joy to see how they play off each other in cutscenes. The camaraderie between crew members is infectious, and their relationships, though not groundbreaking, are at least consistently charming.
One character amidst the group truly stands out: Apricot. Her character arc sees her grow from someone so timid to the captain of the Argento Pirate Crew, and it’s compelling enough to break through the otherwise predictable plot. It’s Apricot’s story that kept me pushing through the chapters, despite the game’s tendency to shy away from heavier themes.
In this sequel, Marona takes a backseat to allow Apricot to take the spotlight. Marona remains the ever-kind-hearted character players from the first game love—unchanged in all the best ways. She doesn't grow much as a character, and that’s okay. Her arc was essentially done in the first game, so she becomes more of a catalyst for Apricot’s journey here. It’s a bold choice, but one that risks diminishing the emotional weight that defined the original. While it’s refreshing to see new faces that could add depth to the franchise, it also raises the question of whether the story would have been more impactful if Marona had remained at its heart.
Thinking Outside the Grid
Phantom Brave is a strategy RPG at its core, but it’s definitely one of Nippon Ichi Software’s more daring titles. Whether that boldness works or not is probably a matter of taste, but I personally found it really exciting. The familiar trappings of the genre are present, but the game’s gridless map and three mechanics—Confine, Confire, and Confriend—set it apart in a way that feels refreshing.
At the heart of the gameplay is Confine, a system where Marona binds phantom allies to objects on the map to give them temporary physical forms. However, these allies vanish after a set number of turns. Meanwhile, Confire allows Marona to bind her allies to Gadgets—things like tanks or zeppelins—that give them access to a variety of actions. Then there’s Confriend, which enables Marona to fuse with her phantom allies. This not only allows her to actively participate in combat, rather than simply acting as a spawn point, but also grants her access to the phantom’s skillset and a powerful fusion-exclusive ability. It’s a mechanic that feels as impactful as it is satisfying.
But there’s more to it than just that. The fact that these Confines are temporary really makes you think about the battlefield before you send your units in. Everything on the field, be it rocks or flower pots, has stats and can affect both your team and the enemy. Some items might boost an enemy’s defense, while others could make them completely invulnerable. And since these items are also invulnerable, it forces you to get creative in finding ways to deal with them. The most efficient way of doing so is by literally throwing the object off the map to remove the enemy’s advantage. This isn’t always easy, however. I remember one time when I had to use a specific Gadget to get around a sticky situation. It’s moments like these that show you how much depth is hidden in what seems like a straightforward battle system.
Outside of combat, the game really gives you a lot to tinker with. Facilities, for instance, allow you to upgrade your pirate ship to enhance your battle stats, fuse items to increase their level, and even bank some of your experience points to use on future units. You can even create your own dungeons—essentially an endless supply of endgame content that calls to mind Disgaea’s Item Worlds. Even though it’s not quite as expansive as the said series, it’s still a buffet of options for players who love to optimize and min-max.
I just wish that there is an option for auto-battles and sped-up animations. Without them, the grinding can really start to feel like a chore, especially if you don’t have a ton of time to play. Yes, I get that grinding is part of the experience in NIS games, and some people even enjoy it, but a little streamlining wouldn’t hurt anyone. It wouldn’t take anything away from the core gameplay, but it would definitely make things less tedious for those of us who just want to ease the post-game grind.
2D No More
When it comes to its visual design, Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero takes a pretty big leap, moving away from the 2D sprites the first game was known for and going full 3D. Now, the original game’s pixelated art is definitely a beloved part of NIS’ history, and a lot of fans are attached to it (rightfully so!), so switching to 3D was always going to be a risk. But I have to say, I was really impressed with how they handled it. It seems like they learned their lessons from the mixed reactions to Disgaea 6 and put a lot of care into this transition.
Of course, the original 2D art will always have a special place in fans’ hearts. But the 3D visuals bring their own charm, and honestly, they feel like the natural step forward for the series; they really grew on me the more I played. It helps that the characters are expressive, and colors pop with a similar vibrancy that brings life to the islands the crew visits. While I did notice a bit of frame rate dipping during some of the more elaborate battle animations, the overall experience remained smooth. Granted, I was playing on a PS5; players on less powerful hardware, such as the Switch, may experience more pronounced performance issues depending on the amount of things happening on the screen.
One area where the visuals could definitely use some improvement are the maps. I wish there were more variety in their designs. Battling in the same-looking areas over and over within a single chapter can get repetitive. I can only look at that cotton-candy ground for so long before it starts to feel monotonous. It's a shame, because the characters and effects look fantastic, but these repetitive environments really drag down the overall visual presentation.
Is Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero Worth It?
Yes, But Its Niche Nature Might Not Appeal to All
Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero caters to a specific taste in strategy RPGs, and its appeal will likely depend on whether you enjoy Nippon Ichi Software's particular brand of quirkiness coupled with deep customization. This niche focus, however, doesn't preclude newcomers from enjoying the experience. For long-time Phantom Brave fans and NIS devotees, the sequel is a treat that offers a satisfying evolution of the first game's mechanics while staying true to its cult classic status with plenty of nostalgic nods. Those new to the series, meanwhile, will find it more accessible than the original or the Disgaea titles.
Regardless of your experience with the series, the wealth of content, approachable mechanics, and engaging gameplay loop offer plenty to enjoy, provided you're willing to embrace the game's many quirks.
Steam | Nintendo | PlayStation | ||||||
Wishlist Only | $59.99 |
Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero FAQ
How Many Unit Types are There in Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero?
There are over 50 unit types for players to send in battle.
When Will Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero be Released on PC?
As of this writing, Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero is planned for a Spring 2025 release on Steam, though an exact date and time have yet to be announced.
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Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero Product Information
Title | PHANTOM BRAVE: THE LOST HERO |
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Release Date | NSW, PS4, PS5 January 30, 2025 (NA/EU) February 7, 2025 (AU/NZ) PC Spring 2025 |
Developer | Nippon Ichi Software |
Publisher | Nippon Ichi Software (Japan) NIS America (Worldwide) |
Supported Platforms | PC (via Steam) Nintendo Switch PlayStation 5 PlayStation 4 |
Genre | Adventure, RPG, Strategy |
Number of Players | Single-Player (1) |
ESRB Rating | ESRB Teen |
Official Website | Official Website for Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero |