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Here's some non-Square Enix news that you folks are likely to appreciate: Nippon Ichi Software, sires of the well-regarded Disgaea series of tactical isometric RPGs (among other games), announced today that Phantom Brave about to be ported to Steam for Windows. Phantom Brave is a more under-the-radar title from NIS, though it's generally very well-regarded, with reviews of 8.6/10 and 9/10 from IGN and Eurogamer respectively. It's been released in the West before, first for PlayStation 2, then later for the original Wii, and finally for the PSP, with enhanced and expanded content each time. The Windows version will roll up all of the content into a new package to be released in July, specifically on the 25th.

It's worth noting while this post is going, by the way, that Phantom Brave will be the second PC port released here by NIS. It looks as if the first Disgaea (Afternoon of Darkness) is already here, which is something I completely missed. The version of Disgaea released to PC included upgraded graphics and Steamworks integration and is currently selling for $19.99, so one can expect the same from Phantom Brave this summer.

Source: Gematsu, Steam

Is it as grindy and stereotypically "anime" as Disgaea? I ran across it on Steam and I'm wondering whether I should be interested in picking it up.

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current games (2024-02-19):
Fairy Fencer F ADF
Pokémon Perfect Crystal

finished so far this year:
Gato Roboto
drowning, drowning
New Super Mario Bros.
TMNT 3: Radical Rescue

tabled: Lost Ruins

Quote (Glenn Magus Harvey @ 28th June 2016 21:14)

Is it as grindy and stereotypically "anime" as Disgaea? I ran across it on Steam and I'm wondering whether I should be interested in picking it up.

Maybe a little less? Disgaea is a little more high-energy and silly, while Phantom Brave is surprisingly melancholy. The character art and some basic stuff (i.e. menu navigation) is similar to Disgaea, but tonally and in how the maps are arranged, Phantom Brave is quite different. I don't like it as much as Disgaea, but I'm a fanboy. Not a reliable source there.

Grind-wise, I'm not so sure. I didn't make it far enough in Phantom Brave to necessitate a grind or explore the depths of its mechanics very much. I'd check a dedicated forum or HLTB for that.

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this is a blog mostly about comics and videogames
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Your mention of a "melancholy" tone actually does interest me more.

Gameplay-wise I'm not really concerned about the quality, just about preferences regarding what I'd like.

--------------------

current games (2024-02-19):
Fairy Fencer F ADF
Pokémon Perfect Crystal

finished so far this year:
Gato Roboto
drowning, drowning
New Super Mario Bros.
TMNT 3: Radical Rescue

tabled: Lost Ruins