Ships Ahoy
A sequel could be a dangerous enterprise. For each Scream 2 and The Godfather Part 2, which surpass expectations, we additionally get served with slop like Jaws 2 or The Rage: Carrie 2. It was a pleasing shock when NIS America introduced a remaster of the primary Phantom Brave practically twenty years after the sport’s launch on the PlayStation 2, whereas the precise launch was a reasonably unpleasant shock. For these causes, the chances appeared stacked towards Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero when it was introduced in June 2024. This belated sequel largely retreads acquainted and uninspired story beats. Mechanically, nonetheless, it’s a slick and energetic refresh, bringing the sequence into an period of modernity that bodes properly for the longer term.
Like the primary recreation, The Lost Hero is about within the oceanic world of Ivoire and follows Marona — a woman capable of see Phantoms. Marona works as a Chroma, taking over harmful requests to unravel issues. Six months after the occasions of the primary recreation, Marona and her Phantom companion Ash are attacked by the ghostly Shipwreck Fleet, throughout which Marona’s powers are stolen. After washing ashore with out Ash, Marona encounters a Phantom lady named Apricot, who’s in search of her father, the captain of the Argento Pirate Crew. Marona and Apricot set off to search out the Argento Pirate Crew, with Marona hoping to get better Ash within the course of.
The story takes some time to get into gear, with a variety of false begins and pretend outs through the seek for Argento. During this time, gamers get to know Apricot, who suffers in her characterization as a mild-mannered, younger pirate ghost. As the pair journey round and resolve points for numerous islanders, deeper themes are very evenly touched upon. Marona’s new base of Skullrock Island is perhaps sunny and colourful, however its denizens are virtually fully useless. Despite what needs to be a morose material, the plot is usually lighthearted and thematically scattershot, with no actual narrative arc all through the majority of the sport.
While they’re ostensibly looking for individuals, Marona and her undead youngster buddy’s quest takes them on a handful of jaunts to numerous islands the place they sometimes find yourself discovering an issue ready for them to unravel. It appears like a low stakes kids’s cartoon, missing the emotional depth and poignancy current within the first recreation. Fans of the primary recreation, nonetheless, will kind of really feel at house with the framing of the story.
Battles are turn-based and happen on a gridless map. Marona is the chief, and every battle opens with Marona as the only pleasant unit on the sector. Apricot and all of the Phantoms must be summoned by means of the returning Confine system, the place Marona channels the unit’s spirit to manifest by means of rocks, bushes, timber, and extra. Players want to concentrate, nonetheless, because the confining merchandise impacts the stats of the summoned Phantom. For occasion, summoning a phantom by means of a rock will enhance protection, however cut back assault and velocity.
Prepare to spend a while in these menus.
While there isn’t any restrict to the variety of phantoms allowed on the sector at any time, there’s one caveat: every phantom has quite a lot of turns earlier than they’re faraway from the merchandise and rendered unusable for the rest of that battle. An keen participant could frontload a struggle with their hardest models, solely to finish up with a subject of inanimate pebbles on the finish of the battle. The Confine system is definitely novel and provides a contact of planning to the proceedings, nevertheless it’s exhausting to flee a way of being overwhelmed at instances each out and in of fight.
There are simply so many programs to juggle in The Lost Hero. There are phantoms to summon from finally dozens of lessons, all of whom will want gear in an effort to be viable in fight. Yes, there are some wild weapons once more on this recreation, together with motor autos and pottery. Each unit also can change their assigned Title, an adjective that confers stat bonuses, buffs, and different perks. While the sport gently onboards these programs, the opening chapters are slowed down by these prolonged tutorials. It could take a number of ranges, or replays of the opening maps, in an effort to totally acquaint oneself with these mechanics. When they work, although – like throwing enemies out of bounds off a map – they completely ship.
Outside of fight, there are extra alternatives for administration. Each unit learns abilities from their geared up weapon, offering a bunch of customization choices. While on Skullrock Island, Marona can go to numerous services to additional develop the staff: models may be despatched out on missions to gather assets; Marona can degree up underserved models by means of the Juice Bar; and afterward, gamers are even capable of indulge themselves as a dungeon grasp with the Dungeon Creator function. There is seemingly countless content material right here for individuals who need to totally immerse themselves, together with randomly generated dungeons and the flexibility to degree models as much as 9999. Players much less can skate previous it for essentially the most half, even when which means not partaking with a number of the extra nuanced mechanics of the sport.
Quirky fight returns on this sequel.
The unique Phantom Brave featured 2D sprite characters towards 3D environments, which was well-drawn and gave the sport a traditional really feel. It has been changed this time round with chibi 3D fashions, that are sharply drawn with an enthralling aesthetic. The Lost Hero definitely appears and feels up to date, offering crisper and brisker visuals. Fans lamenting the change from sprite work ought to nonetheless be capable to respect the visible aptitude dropped at the person models and characters, together with the engaging portrait artwork that dominates the display throughout cutscenes. The serviceable however forgettable soundtrack options loads of island and pirate-esque themes in addition to breezy fight tracks. There is loads of voice appearing, with Marona’s voice actor particularly being well-suited for the position. However, gamers ought to count on to listen to a variety of the identical strains from particular person models or assets on the island, which can shortly grate.
Fans of the primary Phantom Brave know simply what to anticipate with the sequel, and it delivers on these grounds. Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero brings the very best gameplay mechanics from the primary title and evenly refreshes them for a brand new period, with crisp graphical updates and slight enhancements which can be positive to please followers of the style or developer. While the story lacks the narrative depth of its predecessor, Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero is a sequel that is aware of what it’s good at, and leans into it, delivering a sharper and extra refined expertise.
Disclosure: This evaluation relies on a free copy of the sport offered by the writer.
Updated graphics presentation
Fully voiced cutscenes
Extensive, seemingly countless customization…
…Almost overwhelmingly so
Narrative is underwhelming
Forgettable music
The submit Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero Review appeared first on RPGamer.
