Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero is the Sequel Fans Will Want to Play – Tokyo Game Show 2024

The Battle Returns: Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero

Twenty years have passed since Nippon Ichi Software first introduced the world to Phantom Brave, and its unique blend of strategy and role-playing elements. Now, the Japanese developer is revisiting the series with Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero, and fans of the original couldn’t be more thrilled. As someone who has fond memories of playing the original, I was excited to dive back into the series and see what changes awaited me.

A New Take on the Classic "Confine" System

One of the most significant upgrades in Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero is the refinement of the "confine" system. In this iteration, protagonist Marona can now "confriend" any ally phantom, allowing her to temporarily adopt their abilities. This twist opens up new possibilities for strategy and experimentation, and I’m eager to explore it further. Alas, I didn’t get a chance to try it out during the Tokyo Game Show 2024 demo, but I’m sure I’ll be able to appreciate its nuances once the full game is released.

Movement Radius: A Shift in Tactical Approach

The movement radius, a mechanic that’s more commonly seen in tabletop war games, is another standout feature of Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero. Instead of the traditional grid-based movement found in similar games, you’re free to move Marona and her phantoms within a designated range, as long as there are no obstacles in your path. This adds a new layer of complexity and depth to the game’s strategy, as you must carefully consider your phantoms’ movements and deployments. I’m particularly excited to see how this will play out in multiplayer and online battles.

What’s Missing: A Closer Look at the Demo

Unfortunately, the TGS demo was relatively lacking in terms of story exposition and grind-related gameplay elements. While attendees were given a taste of the new battle mechanics, we weren’t privy to any significant story moments or previews of the game’s late-game content. As fans of Nippon Ichi Software are well aware, the grind is a crucial aspect of many of their games, and the absence of it in this demo left me wanting more. We’ll have to wait until the full game’s release to see if Nippon Ichi has something up their sleeves.

Conclusion

As I played through the Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero demo, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia wash over me. The game’s unique mechanics and attention to detail are a testament to Nippon Ichi Software’s dedication to crafting an unforgettable experience. With the refines "confine" system and innovative movement radius, Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero has the potential to be one of the most engaging strategy RPGs of the year. Until its release, I’ll be eagerly counting down the days until I can sink my teeth into the full game.

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