Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero

Released

Release Date: January 30, 2025

A sequel of the tactical jRPG from 2004. In Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero the main focus is on turn-based battles and they take place on areas devoid of grids. We can summon phantoms capable of becoming various items and objects, as well as taking over their characteristics.

7.9

OpenCritic

8.7

Steam

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Ratings

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Images: 6 

Gameplay
Story
Graphics

Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero is a sequel of the tactical jRPG titled Phantom Brave, released in 2004 on PlayStation 2. It was developed by the creators of the first game under this brand, namely the company Nippon Ichi Software.

Gameplay

Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero does not introduce revolutionary changes in mechanics compared to the original.

Fantasy adventures and recruiting companions

We watch the action in isometric view and experience adventures in various locations, have conversations with independent characters, and also recruit Phantoms, which are the spirits of characters who during their lifetime became famous for their heroic deeds.

As we progress, we nurture relationships with our astral companions. Establishing friendships with them is important because they constitute our main force on the battlefield. Moreover, the protagonist gains access to special attacks thanks to them.

Turn-based battles and phantom helpers

Marona, the main character, often encounters opponents. The battles take place in a turn-based mode, on arenas without a grid, which we can freely move around.

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Similar to the original, the game allows us to summon our phantom helpers onto the battlefield. Similar to the last time, Phantoms are associated with specific items and objects. This means that in addition to their own characteristics, they take on the strengths and weaknesses of the things they embody.

In total, several dozen types of units were made available to us. Additionally, as we progress, we develop Marona, so that over time she can face increasingly greater challenges.

Story

Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero takes us to the fantasy land of Ivoire. The main character of the game is Marona, known from the first game under this brand, who sails around the world in the company of the spirit Ash and helps the inhabitants. After the couple is attacked by a ghostly fleet, leading to their separation, Marona sets out on a journey to find her lost companion and discover a way to defeat the enemies.

Our protagonist is not doomed to a lonely journey - she is helped by her new friend Apricot, as well as a squad of heroic phantoms created by her, who once managed to defeat the crew of ghost ships.

Graphics

The graphic design of Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero is maintained in a manga style.

Platforms:

PC Windows April 24, 2025

PlayStation 4 January 30, 2025

Nintendo Switch January 30, 2025

PlayStation 5 January 30, 2025

Developer: Nippon Ichi Soft.

Publisher: NIS America

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Game Series

4GAMES

Phantom Brave Game Series

Features

System Requirements

System Requirements for Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero Video Game:

PC / Windows

Minimum System Requirements:
Intel Core i3-10100, 4 GB RAM, graphic card 2 GB GeForce GT 1030, 6 GB HDD, Windows 10/11 64-bit.

Recommended System Requirements:
Intel Core i5-12400, 8 GB RAM, graphic card 4 GB GeForce GTX 1650, 6 GB HDD, Windows 10/11 64-bit.

Ratings

Game Ratings for Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero Video Game.

7.9

OpenCritic Rating

Game is Recomended by 75% of Critics. There are 46 Critic Reviews.

OpenCritic

MKAU Gaming: 8 / 10 by Sammy Hanson

Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero is packed with content and provides about 10 hours plus many more for the completionists. Despite its negatives, Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero is the sequel that fans have been waiting for, which has been worth it.

Full Review

PlayStation Universe: 8 / 10 by Garri Bagdasarov

Tactical RPGs are always a hit and miss with gamers but Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero is a fun and accessible title for anyone looking to get into the genre and those who already enjoy it. With a fun cast of characters and entertaining, if somewhat simplistic combat, I found myself addicted and had a hard time putting it down.

Full Review

Twisted Voxel: 7.5 / 10 by Ali Haider

A long-awaited sequel that delivers charm, tactical depth, and heart—even if it plays it safe. The inventive Confine/Confire/Confriend mechanics shine, and Marona’s journey strikes a perfect balance between whimsy and emotional weight. While not as expansive as some Nippon Ichi epics, its accessibility and polished combat make it a worthy return to Ivoire.

Full Review

87%

STEAM Score

All Reviews: Positive (15)

STEAM

Reviews Summary generated by AI

The main pros of the game

Unique Gameplay Mechanics: Many players appreciate the revamped mechanics and strategic depth of the game, including the ability to combine Phantoms with objects and Gadgets.
Nostalgic Elements: Fans of the original "Phantom Brave" find familiar elements that evoke nostalgia, such as character interactions and the overall charm of the game.
Character Variety: The game features a wide array of characters, skills, and weapon types, allowing for creative team-building and gameplay.
Cute Art Style: The visual style, including 3D models and animations, is generally well-received, contributing to the game’s charm.
Engaging Combat: The combat system is seen as enjoyable and strategic, with room for both casual play and more serious tactical planning.
Voice Acting: The English voice acting has received positive for being decent and fitting the game’s tone.

The main cons of the game

Technical Issues: The game suffers from numerous bugs, including game-breaking crashes, infinite animation loops, and soft locks that hinder gameplay. Many players report having to restart the game frequently due to these issues.
Poor Optimization: s have noted significant performance problems, including low frame rates and stuttering, especially in areas with many characters on screen.
AI Pathfinding Issues: The AI can struggle with basic navigation, leading to frustrating situations where characters get stuck or fail to execute simple movements.
Overpriced DLC: Many reviewers feel that the content locked behind DLC is overpriced, especially given the existing technical issues.
Weak Story: Some players criticized the plot for being lackluster and not as engaging as the original, with repetitive themes and a childish tone.

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

Quality of Life Improvements: Players expressed a desire for features like the ability to skip or speed up animations, which are common in modern SRPGs.
Diverse Terrain Mechanics: The original game's unique terrain effects are largely absent, reducing strategic variety in map navigation.
Reincarnation Mechanics: The reincarnation feature is now limited by a scarce resource, which detracts from the freedom of character development that was present in the original.
Interface Improvements: The UI is considered messy and lacking in necessary information, making it difficult to manage items and skills effectively.
More Robust Testing: Players feel that the game was not adequately playtested before release, leading to the numerous bugs and issues that have been reported.

Summary

Overall, while "Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero" has elements that fans of the series enjoy, the overwhelming technical issues and perceived lack of polish have led to a mixed reception among s. Many recommend waiting for patches or sales before purchasing.

Summary generated on: May 19, 2025

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