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[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

Publisher NIS America and developer Nippon Ichi Software have announced strategy RPG Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Switch, and PC (Steam). It will launch in 2025.

Here is an overview of the game, via NIS America:

Set sail to save the day in this grid-less tactical turn-based challenge from the creators of the Disgaea series. Join Marona—a gifted young girl with the power to speak to Phantoms—and her loyal Phantom companion, Ash, as she traverses the ocean world of Ivoire, providing aid to those in need. When a fleet of ghost pirates attack, it’s up to Marona and her new friend Apricot to assemble the legendary crew that once defeated these spectral foes. Recruit Phantoms, bind them to objects, combine them with Gadgets, even merge them with Marona herself to unleash show-stopping abilities and sink the Shipwreck Fleet. With over 50 characters and 300 skills to master, prepare for an unforgettable journey.

Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero announced for PS5, PS4, Switch, and PC

Publisher NIS America and developer Nippon Ichi Software have announced strategy RPG Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Switch, and PC (Steam). It will launch in 2025.

www.gematsu.com

 

[Bring Back Scalebound]

This is the last game I expected sequel to, wow.

Nippon Ichi's art-style is as beautiful as it has always been. Really looking forward to this one.

 

[graywolf323]

This is the last game I expected sequel to, wow.

Nippon Ichi's art-style is as beautiful as it has always been. Really looking forward to this one.

yeah honestly I would have expected another one with Larl and friends or a sequel to La Pucelle before Phantom Brave

 

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

Hmm... for some reason the trailer from the JP Nintendo Direct is considerably smoother than the NA trailer I've put in my OP.

 

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

Noisy Pixel did a preview on the game:

Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero continues the beloved series in the world of Ivoire, blending classic tactical RPG mechanics with innovative features like the Confriend system. Set for a 2025 release, players will navigate a rich narrative involving Marona, Ash, and new characters like Apricot. With over 50 unit types and stunning hand-drawn visuals, this game promises a nostalgic yet fresh adventure. Available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam, Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero is a must-play for fans and newcomers alike.

 

[Danjin44]

Noisy Pixel did a preview on the game:

I never played Phantom Brave games but playing Jeanne d’arc is making me crave more SRPGs and watching this preview imade me interested……do I need to play previous Phantom Brave or all them have self contain story?

 

[graywolf323]

I never played Phantom Brave games but playing Jeanne d’arc is making me crave more SRPGs and watching this preview imade me interested……do I need to play previous Phantom Brave or all them have self contain story?

this is only the second Phantom Brave game and I’m not sure if they’ve really said much about the story? but Marona & Ash were in the first one so it likely wouldn’t hurt to play it

 

[Danjin44]

this is only the second Phantom Brave game and I’m not sure if they’ve really said much about the story? but Marona & Ash were in the first one so it likely wouldn’t hurt to play it

Yeah I might do that, I think the first game also available on switch, right?

 

[graywolf323]

Yeah I might do that, I think the first game also available on switch, right?

yeah though only part of a bundle with Soul Nomad as far as I can tell, which does happen to be on sale for 75% off at the moment making it $9.99

Prinny Presents NIS Classics Volume 1: Phantom Brave: The Hermuda Triangle Remastered / Soul Nomad & the World Eaters for Nintendo Switch - Nintendo Official Site

Buy Prinny Presents NIS Classics Volume 1: Phantom Brave: The Hermuda Triangle Remastered / Soul Nomad & the World Eaters and shop other great Nintendo products online at the official My Nintendo Store.

www.nintendo.com

 

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

Gematsu has reported that the game will launch early next year on January 30 (I'll ask a mod to update the thread title):

Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero will launch for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Switch on January 30, 2025 worldwide, followed by PC via Steam in spring 2025, publishers NIS America and Nippon Ichi Software announced. A demo is planned for release in 2024.

In Japan, Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero will be priced at 7,200 yen (7,920 yen with tax). A limited edition will also be available for 9,980 yen (10,978 yen with tax), which includes a copy of the game, two-disc soundtrack CD, special box, 40-page art book, an exclusive acrylic coaster, and a download code for Ash and Marona’s “Ghost Island” outfits. First-print copies of either edition include Patty’s “Minty” costume.

 

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

I don't think there's much interest here on GAF to warrant a separate thread, so I'll just be dropping the reviews down below.

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Game Information

Game Title: Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero

Platforms:

• Nintendo Switch (Jan 30, 2025)
• PlayStation 5 (Jan 30, 2025)
• PlayStation 4 (Jan 30, 2025)

Review Aggregator:

OpenCritic - 80 average - 78% recommended

Critic Reviews


COGconnected - James Paley - 70 / 100

If you’ve somehow gotten here with no Disgaea in your history and a love of complex strategy RPGs, The Lost Hero will be an excellent adventure. Otherwise, I’m simply not so sure.

Cubed3 - Eric Ace - 7 / 10

Some parts of the game are undeniably charming, such as the story, the character art and the bright colours. However, reusing a dated system really shows a lot of its age. Along with design choices that are simply confusing, it drags down the experience along with the 3D models. While there is certainly a level of 'too much' going on, this also applies to battles in a good way if a player is ready for it. The craziness is part of the charm and many of the battles are surprisingly hard, short of power leveling.

DualShockers - Murillo Zerbinatto - 7 / 10

The sequel, Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero, expands on the original's mechanics. It introduces new ways to employ the phantoms and their quirks in strategic combat and also adds fresh methods to strengthen and progress characters. However, a lackluster and overly childish story might turn off players uninterested in grinding to astronomical levels, potentially putting the series back into a long hiatus or even ending it for good in favor of NIS's more acclaimed tactical RPGs.

Final Weapon - Angelus Victor - 3.5 / 5

Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero is a good sequel to a beloved series that introduces a lot of good ideas. Still, it's a game that falls flat in its storytelling, going a bit too over the top, resulting in something that is hard to get engaged with.

GameBlast - João Pedro Boaventura - Portuguese - 7.5 / 10

[...]Marona's, Ash's and Apricot's adventure is yet another worthy entry in Nippon Ichi Software's catalogue and a memorable experience for fans of the company or those who like a borderline experimental touch to the tactical RPG genre.

GameGrin - Mike Crewe - 9 / 10

Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero is a superb SRPG that every fan of the genre needs to play. Its complex battle system and engaging story make this an absolute blast to play through!

God is a Geek - Lyle Pendle - 8.5 / 10

Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero is a charming tactics game with a lot of depth, but its Switch performance leaves a lot to be desired.

LadiesGamers.com - Yvonne van Geloven - Liked-a-lot

This is truly a tactical RPG that you can play any way you like. You decide which Phantoms to take into battle, how to deploy them, which equipment to use and more. Now, that is true for more games like this, but the sheer number of possibilities is quite something. Add the gridless battlefield to that and the special abilities Marona has, and you’ll have many hours of gaming fun with Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero.

MonsterVine - Spencer Legacy - 4 / 5

Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero is a strong sequel to what was perhaps Nippon Ichi’s most unique title. The characters are charming, the gameplay is robust and tactical, and while the unlockable methods of powering up may be slightly overwhelming, newcomers should manage just fine playing through.

NintendoBoy - Marcos Vinícius - Portuguese - 8 / 10

The Lost Hero is a honorable sequel that doesn't limit itself to the past and wants to offer to the player something refreshing while keeping it faithful to the original. It's a title that innovates in its systems and abuses them in the right way; it's especially challenging enough for SRPG fans, but also accessible in the same manner for those who aren't as keen in the genre. Its story is equally accessible, offering a simple narrative, but well structured and tight with a colorful and fun cast.

Noisy Pixel - Azario Lopez - 8 / 10

Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero offers a refreshing take on the SRPG genre with its unique gridless combat and deep customization. While the slow pacing and complex systems may deter newcomers, fans of tactical games will revel in its rewarding gameplay and intricate strategies.

PS4Blog.net - EdEN - 8.5 / 10

A solid sequel 20 years in the making...

PSX Brasil - Thiago de Alencar Moura - Portuguese - 80 / 100

Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero brings its own approach to SRPGs, and with it, a freshness worthy of the best sea breeze. With a light and pleasant story, as well as engaging gameplay, we have very good waters to navigate for fans of the genre.

Pizza Fria - Matheus Jenevain - Portuguese - 8.5 / 10

Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero manages to bring many iconic ideas from the previous game, such as the confinement system, while also injecting new life and ideas to make the formula even more refined and appealing to the new generation of players.

RPG Fan - Sean Cabot - 86%

Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero may not be the most unique JRPG in recent memory, but there’s still not much out there that can capture the specific charm of its gameplay. It’s a delight if you’ve never played a Nippon Ichi RPG or if you’re a veteran, and as one of those veterans, I’m so glad that this series has returned from the dead. Seems to be a theme.

Shacknews - Lucas White - 7 / 10

Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero is a clumsy-feeling game, but its scatterbrained energy comes from an admirable place of bucking standardized gameplay conventions in a genre that doesn’t budge often.

TechRaptor - William Worrall - 8 / 10

Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero revives a two-decades-old series with aplomb, all while managing to stay accessible to not only newbies but also relevant to long-time fans.

The Outerhaven Productions - Scott Adams - 5 / 5

Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero is an amazing experience and story that rides the experience from the first game well. There can be some technical hiccups with the free movement features, but it doesn't lessen the experience in combat.

TheSixthAxis - Miguel Moran - 8 / 10

Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero is an absolute gem that shines whether you're a returning fan or a newcomer. It takes a while for the very many mechanics of the game to make sense and click, but once they do, you're in for an unforgettable experience.

Video Chums - A.J. Maciejewski - 8.4 / 10

I absolutely loved my time with Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero and hope that it marks the start of many more sequels as I'm excited to see where Marona's adorable adventures take her next.

Worth Playing - Chris "Atom" DeAngelus - 8 / 10

Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero is a surprising sequel that does a good job of living up to its predecessor, but it doesn't exactly tread new ground for the franchise. A cute but forgettable plot, solid gameplay, and a near-infinite amount of grinding potential give the game a solid amount of value. The only thing holding it back are the unimpressive visuals and poor performance. If you're a fan of the Nippon Ichi games or the original Phantom Brave, there's a lot of fun to be had in this sequel.

ZTGD - Jae Lee - 8 / 10

Given a choice, I’m sure I would pick a different game from NISA’s illustrious PS2 JRPG lineup that I would rather have a sequel of, but all things said, Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero is a great sequel that improves on the original in almost every way, providing a fun, tactically satisfying RPG that I’m very glad made a return.

oprainfall - Steve Baltimore - 4 / 5

All and all, I had a pretty good time with Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero. The story and characters are great, and the music is very fitting for the game, overall. If you are a fan of other NIS strategy titles, picking this up is a no brainer at $59.99 price tag, you’re gonna find a lot to love here. This is a good entry point for newcomers as well since the story is self contained and you really need no knowledge of the previous game to have a good time here. Now if you will excuse me, I have some more random levels to attend to.