Phantom Brave

 PlayStation 2
Phantom Brave Image
Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 40 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 30 Ratings

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  • Summary: Phantom Brave is the spiritual successor to 2003's strategy role-playing game "Disgaea: Hour of Darkness." Enter thirteen-year-old orphan Marona who lives alone on Phantom Isle Island. Marona isn't your average child, as she has the uncanny ability to see and manipulate spirits, one of whomPhantom Brave is the spiritual successor to 2003's strategy role-playing game "Disgaea: Hour of Darkness." Enter thirteen-year-old orphan Marona who lives alone on Phantom Isle Island. Marona isn't your average child, as she has the uncanny ability to see and manipulate spirits, one of whom happens to be Ash, a swordsman who died alongside Marona's mother and father. Ash serves as a companion and guardian to Marona, counseling her as she works to help people in the surrounding islands who rely on her abilities. Key Phantom Brave features include: No more grids! Free-roaming battle system allows you to strategically place your characters anywhere you want on the battle field; Create and customize the jobs of your soldiers with over 400 different skills and magical spells; Step-by-step tutorials will have even the novice player up and running in no time; Experience 20 heart-warming episodes spread over 100 hours of game play; Dual language option! Select either the original Japanese voices or the all new English dub. [Atlus Software]… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 40
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 40
  3. Negative: 0 out of 40
  1. Just RPG
    93
    It is amazing how many different stats go into the Phantom Brave.
  2. GamePro
    90
    May not have the best control scheme or huge production values, but it does have heart - this one pays like a labor love. Crazy, wacky, weird, mad love. [Oct 2004, p.110]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Warcry
    87
    As for best in the pseudo-series, it's a tossup between this and "Disgaea," and will likely come down to a debate over the free-roaming battle system and the confinement system.
  4. AceGamez
    80
    The amount of variety and options in and out of battle will keep you playing far longer than the typical game, while there are enough differences in the combat system to make it feel fresh and new.
    All this publication's reviews
  5. GMR Magazine
    80
    Ambitiously niched and infinitely flexible, giving players a battle system of unparalleled depth that's as innovative as it is daunting - even for crusty veterans of the genre. [Oct 2004, p.112]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. GameSpy
    80
    Far too hardcore to serve as an introduction to the genre, but fans of the genre are in for a treat once they accustom themselves to the game's mind-bendingly unique and tactical paradigms.
  7. Cheat Code Central
    50
    Phantom Brave is a game of methodical persistence. There's very little here to reward smart players.
    All this publication's reviews

See all 40 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 7
  3. Negative: 2 out of 7
  1. RoyJ.
    Jan 20, 2005
    10
    This is the best RPG I've played in a long time. Instead of concentrating on a dramatic entrancing storyline like Final Fantasy, Phantom This is the best RPG I've played in a long time. Instead of concentrating on a dramatic entrancing storyline like Final Fantasy, Phantom Brave creates depth in gameplay. Despite the dated graphics and the clumsyness of some of the gameplay this game proves to be rewarding.… Expand
  2. WilliamM.
    Jan 22, 2005
    10
    Nice game.
  4. bunnymaster3000
    Jul 27, 2009
    10
    I loved this game, not because of the story which was very mediocre but because of the gameplay and fighting mechanic. How you were not I loved this game, not because of the story which was very mediocre but because of the gameplay and fighting mechanic. How you were not confined to little squares but instead had a full 360 range of motion, great art style too.… Expand
  5. TryptoniteVancouver
    Sep 5, 2004
    9
    I've logged just over 15 hours of gameplay on Phantom Brave so far. Once you get down the game mechanics which is easy if you've I've logged just over 15 hours of gameplay on Phantom Brave so far. Once you get down the game mechanics which is easy if you've played any of Nippon Ichi's other releases, the gameplay becomes very in depth. Here's a quick breakdown: Story: N/A Won't comment on something like this until I finish a game. Graphics: The graphics for this SRPG is the most colorful and vivid of all NIS's games. Battle effects and sprite animation are well done. Gameplay:If you enjoy tactical combat and team management, you'll fall in love with the plethora of things to do. No-more grid system takes getting used to, but overall its been a positive addition. "Confine" system of managing your roster adds an excellent challenge to battles. Unlimited random dungeons generated is a must-have for SRPG titles and Phantom Brave does it well. Audio: Music is pretty good, but its basically similar to their past titles. Not quite as catchy/memorable as the Disgaea music. Voice audio for both Japanese and English is well done. My personal prefernce is Japanese, but surprisingly the English voice acting is pretty good when compared to the rest of the market. Tons of stuff to do and having your own little island that you can kind of customize with your "employees" is fun. Definitely an excellent addition if you've enjoyed Disgaea and La Pucelle. Even if you're new to this game and genre, try it out, you'll be hooked. peace Tryptonite … Expand
  6. thedarkorb
    Sep 22, 2010
    7
    Phantom Brave has a great battle system, nice visual style, and the story had a lot of potential. Unfortunately it's battle system, visuals,Phantom Brave has a great battle system, nice visual style, and the story had a lot of potential. Unfortunately it's battle system, visuals, and music are too similar to that of other (better) games and the story ends up being extremely weak. Die hard fans of tactical RPGs will likely find a things to enjoy here, especially fans of similar games like Disgaea, La Pucelle, or the excellent Soul Nomad & The World Eaters. If your new to strategy RPGs you'll have to put up with the steep learning curve pretty much every game in the genre has. Veteran players of games like Disgaea and Final Fantasy Tactics will likely be disappointed by it's poor story and it's close resemblance to other (better) NIS games. That said if your new to Strategy RPGs or want another game to scratch your strategy RPG itch your better off playing Disgaea or NIS's 2007 Soul Nomad and the World Eaters which is superior to Phantom Brave in literally every way.… Expand
  7. keller
    Apr 17, 2005
    2
    Ugh. Big Disgaea fan, couldn't wait for this, but sorely disappointed. Imagine regular battles, but your characters vanish after 5 Ugh. Big Disgaea fan, couldn't wait for this, but sorely disappointed. Imagine regular battles, but your characters vanish after 5 turns. Keep in mind it'll probably take you that long to walk across the map and suddenly the whole thing seems pointless. The story is atrocious, a mess of cutesy little-girl's-princessy-story nonsense and poor VA. It's as if aimed at 4 year olds. None of Disgaea's charm or humour, pointless battles as your army vanishes way before the real fight, and a story so bad it isn't worth continuing on.… Expand
  8. EricL
    Oct 10, 2009
    0
    This game is SO MONOTONOUSE!! The summoning of characters feels redundant, and the removal of the grid system makes it so everyone just makes This game is SO MONOTONOUSE!! The summoning of characters feels redundant, and the removal of the grid system makes it so everyone just makes a beeline for the enemy. The story is somewhat boring. I can't believe these are the same people who made the Disgaea series. There are some simmilar elements like the random dungeon maps (which I never liked) and the vast character selection (which i did like!). Look elsewhere for a fun SRPG, the only reason to own this is because it's rare.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

41
#41 Best PS2 Game of 2004