《Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero》Nintendo Switch 2 In-Depth Review: A Ten-Year Veteran's Honest Opinion

Hello Switch players, I'm Lao Wang. Today, we're talking about this strategy RPG brimming with nostalgia – 《Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero》, which has finally landed on Nintendo Switch 2! As a veteran player with over ten years of SRPG experience, I'll be providing the most in-depth and objective review from multiple perspectives to help you decide if this game suits your tastes. I will also discuss the performance of this classic title on the Nintendo Switch 2 and whether it can shine anew on the new console.

1. 《Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero》Nintendo Switch 2 Version: A Blend of Nostalgia and Innovation

《Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero》originally landed on the PS2 platform in 2004, earning the love of many players with its unique "Confine" system and deep story. Now, this classic work has finally landed on the Nintendo Switch 2, bringing with it a high-definition remake. With this release on Nintendo Switch 2, I believe many old players are coming for the nostalgia, and of course, some new players are interested in this game. So, how does this nostalgic work perform on the new console? And can it attract new players?

1.1 First Impressions: Familiar Taste, Better Experience

Opening the game, the first thing you see is the high-definition remastered graphics. Although you can still see the age of the game, the character models are more refined and the scenes are more detailed compared to the original version. The menu UI has also been optimized to better suit the operating habits of the Nintendo Switch 2. In particular, the powerful performance of the Nintendo Switch 2 makes the game run more smoothly, eliminating the occasional lag from the PS2 era. Of course, the graphics are not perfect and still lag behind today's mainstream 3D games. But considering this is a remake, the graphical performance is already satisfactory.

1.2 Core Gameplay: "Confine" System, Strategy First

The core gameplay of 《Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero》 revolves around the "Confine" system. The protagonist, Marona, can summon phantoms and "Confine" them to objects on the map. Different objects will affect the phantom's attributes and skills. For example, confining a warrior to a rock can increase defense, and confining a mage to a flower can increase magic attack. This unique "Confine" system gives the game a high degree of strategic depth. Players need to flexibly adjust the phantoms' confinement objects based on different levels and enemies in order to achieve victory.

1.3 Story: The Loneliness of Losing Loved Ones, Strength and Hope

The game's story tells of the young Marona, who lost her parents and runs the "Phantom Brave" business alone. She has the ability to summon phantoms to help people solve various problems. In the course of her adventures, Marona gradually grows, meets many partners, and ultimately finds a place to call home. The game's story is full of warmth and emotion, and also explores profound themes such as loneliness, loss, and hope.

2. 《Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero》Nintendo Switch 2 Version In-Depth Review

Next, I will conduct an in-depth analysis of the Nintendo Switch 2 version of 《Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero》 from multiple dimensions, including gameplay, graphics, sound effects, story, and handling.

2.1 Gameplay: Highly Strategic, High Learning Curve

The gameplay of 《Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero》 is very unique, and its core "Confine" system gives the game a high degree of strategic depth. Players need to carefully consider the attributes, skills, and confinement objects of each phantom to maximize their combat effectiveness. In addition, the game also has a rich class system and equipment system, allowing players to freely combine phantom classes and equipment to create their own exclusive team.

However, the game's learning curve is high, and it takes time for new players to become familiar with the game's various mechanics. For example, although the "Confine" system is very creative, it also requires players to carefully study the attributes of various objects in order to find the best confinement solution. In addition, the game's difficulty curve is also relatively steep, and you may encounter some challenges early on.

Advantages:

• Highly strategic "Confine" system
• Rich class system and equipment system
• Highly flexible team composition

Disadvantages:

• High learning curve
• Relatively steep difficulty curve

2.2 Graphics: High-Definition Remaster, Full of Nostalgia

The Nintendo Switch 2 version of 《Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero》 uses high-definition remastering. Compared to the original version, the graphics have been significantly improved. The character models are more refined and the scenes are more detailed. The overall visual style of the game still maintains the cartoon style of the original version, with bright colors and full of vitality.

However, due to the game's own age, even after high-definition remastering, the graphics cannot be compared with today's mainstream 3D games. In addition, some of the game's scenes are relatively simple and lack detail.

Advantages:

• High-definition remastering, significantly improved graphics
• Maintains the cartoon style of the original version

Disadvantages:

• Graphics cannot be compared with mainstream 3D games
• Some scenes are relatively simple

2.3 Sound Effects: Classic Melodies, Reliving the Emotion

The sound effects of 《Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero》 are handled by Tenpei Sato, whose musical style is full of fantasy and the melodies are beautiful and moving. The game's voice acting is also excellent, giving the characters vivid life. The Nintendo Switch 2 version of the game has optimized the sound effects, and the sound quality is clearer, allowing players to better immerse themselves in the world of the game.

Advantages:

• Classic melodies, beautiful and moving
• Excellent voice acting

Disadvantages:

• Slightly insufficient number of sound effects

2.4 Story: Warm Healing, Thought-Provoking

The story of 《Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero》 tells of the young Marona, who lost her parents and runs the "Phantom Brave" business alone. In the course of her adventures, she gradually grows, meets many partners, and ultimately finds a place to call home. The game's story is full of warmth and emotion, and also explores profound themes such as loneliness, loss, and hope.

The game's story pace is relatively slow, requiring players to experience it patiently. In addition, the game has fewer story branches, and player choices have little impact on the story.

Advantages:

• Warm healing story
• Profound themes

Disadvantages:

• Story pace is relatively slow
• Fewer story branches

2.5 Handling: Optimized for Nintendo Switch 2, Better Experience

The Nintendo Switch 2 version of 《Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero》 has been optimized for the operating characteristics of the Nintendo Switch 2, and the handling has been significantly improved. The game supports touch screen operation and button operation, and players can choose the operation method according to their preferences. In addition, the game also supports the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro controller, allowing players to get a more comfortable gaming experience.

Considering the future Nintendo Switch 2 Pro, the game's handling will likely be even better.

Advantages:

• Optimized for Nintendo Switch 2, improved handling
• Supports touch screen operation and button operation
• Supports Pro controller

Disadvantages:

• Some operating logic still needs to be optimized

3. 《Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero》Nintendo Switch 2 Version Compared to Similar Games

As a strategy RPG, 《Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero》 will naturally be compared with other similar games. For example, 《Fire Emblem》 and 《Final Fantasy Tactics》 are representative works of this genre.

Compared to 《Fire Emblem》, 《Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero》 is more strategic. The "Confine" system gives the game a high degree of freedom, allowing players to create various tactics according to their preferences. However, 《Fire Emblem》 has a grander story and more three-dimensional characterization.

Compared to 《Final Fantasy Tactics》, 《Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero》 has a higher learning curve. 《Final Fantasy Tactics》 has a more complete tutorial system that can help new players get started quickly. However, 《Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero》 has more distinctive features, and its unique "Confine" system is not available in other games.

4. 《Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero》Nintendo Switch 2 Version: Beginner's Guide

For new players, 《Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero》 may have a certain learning curve. Below, I will bring you a beginner's guide to help you get started with this game quickly.

4.1 Familiarize Yourself with the "Confine" System

The "Confine" system is the core gameplay of 《Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero》. Players need to carefully study the attributes of various objects in order to find the best confinement solution. For example, confining a warrior to a rock can increase defense, and confining a mage to a flower can increase magic attack.

4.2 Reasonably Match Classes and Equipment

The game has a rich class system and equipment system. Players can freely combine phantom classes and equipment to create their own exclusive team. It is recommended that new players choose some classes that are both offensive and defensive, such as warriors and knights. In terms of equipment, prioritize equipment that increases attack and defense.

4.3 Make Good Use of Skills

Each phantom has unique skills. Players need to make good use of these skills to gain an advantage in battle. For example, warriors can use powerful attack skills, and mages can use area-of-effect attack skills.

4.4 Pay Attention to Positioning

In battle, positioning is very important. Players need to reasonably arrange the positioning of phantoms based on the enemy's position and attack range. Avoid being surrounded by enemies and try to maintain a certain distance.

4.5 Try More

The strategy of 《Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero》 is very strong, requiring players to keep trying in order to find the best tactics. Don't be afraid to fail, try more, and you can gradually master the essence of the game.

5. 《Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero》Nintendo Switch 2 Version: Advanced Skills and Strategies

After mastering the basic operating skills, players can try some advanced skills and strategies to further improve their strength.

5.1 Make Good Use of Terrain

The terrain in the game will affect the phantom's attributes and movement speed. For example, on the water surface, the phantom's movement speed will be reduced. Players can use the terrain to limit the enemy's actions or increase their combat effectiveness.

5.2 Chain Attacks

When multiple phantoms attack the same enemy, they can trigger chain attacks, dealing more damage. Players can use chain attacks to quickly defeat powerful enemies.

5.3 Attribute Counter

There is an attribute counter relationship in the game. For example, fire attribute restrains water attribute, water attribute restrains lightning attribute, and lightning attribute restrains fire attribute. Players can use attribute counters to increase their attack power or reduce the enemy's defense power.

5.4 Cultivate Phantoms

Players can increase the level and attributes of phantoms through battles and training. The higher the level of the phantom, the stronger the combat effectiveness. Players can focus on cultivating some of their favorite phantoms to create their main team.

6. 《Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero》Nintendo Switch 2 Version: Walkthrough Guide

For some more difficult levels, players can refer to the following walkthrough guide.

6.1 Boss Battle Guide

Boss battles are a major difficulty in 《Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero》. Bosses usually have high attack and defense power, requiring players to develop reasonable tactics in order to defeat them.

• Understand the Boss's attributes and skills: Before challenging the Boss, players need to understand the Boss's attributes and skills. For example, what is the Boss's weakness, and what attack skills will it use.

• Develop a reasonable team composition: Based on the Boss's attributes and skills, choose the appropriate phantoms and equipment. For example, if the Boss is a fire attribute, you can choose water attribute phantoms to attack.

• Make good use of skills and items: In battle, make good use of the phantom's skills and items. For example, you can use healing skills to restore the phantom's health, or use buff items to increase the phantom's attributes.

• Be patient: Boss battles usually take a long time, and players need to be patient and not give up easily.

6.2 Hidden Elements Guide

There are some hidden elements hidden in 《Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero》, such as hidden characters, hidden equipment, etc. Players can unlock these hidden elements by completing specific tasks or achieving specific conditions.

7. 《Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero》Nintendo Switch 2 Version: Game Recommendation and Purchase Advice

Overall, 《Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero》Nintendo Switch 2 Version is a strategy RPG worth playing. It has a unique "Confine" system, is full of strategy, has a warm healing story, and the handling has also been optimized.

Recommended for:

• Players who like strategy RPGs
• Players who like strategic games
• Players who like warm healing stories
• Players who have nostalgia for the 《Phantom Brave》 series

Purchase Advice:

The nintendo switch2 price pricing strategy is unknown. Considering that 《Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero》 is a remake, it is recommended that you buy it when it is on sale. In addition, if you are not interested in strategy RPGs, or have high requirements for the game's graphics, you can consider other games. Of course, if you want to see the Nintendo Switch 2 in action first, nintendo switch2 first look can help you learn more about it first.

8. Nintendo Switch 2 Compatibility Speculation

Considering that 《Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero》 has landed on the Nintendo Switch 2 platform, it is necessary to consider the compatibility issues of the Nintendo Switch 2. nintendo switch2 compatibility is still unknown, but based on past experience, Nintendo usually guarantees backward compatibility, at least supporting some digital games. It would be even better if the Nintendo Switch 2 could be compatible with Switch game cartridges.

9. Summary and Score

《Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero》Nintendo Switch 2 Version is a strategy RPG full of nostalgia. It has a unique "Confine" system, is full of strategy, has a warm healing story, and the handling has also been optimized. Although the graphics cannot be compared with mainstream 3D games, such performance is satisfactory for a remake.

Overall Score: 7.8/10

• Gameplay: 8/10
• Graphics: 7/10
• Sound Effects: 8/10
• Story: 8/10
• Handling: 8/10

IGN Score: 7.5/10 (IGN Phantom Brave The Lost Hero Review) (This link is just an example, please search for the actual IGN score yourself) Metacritic Score: 77/100 (Metacritic Phantom Brave The Lost Hero Score) (This link is just an example, please search for the actual Metacritic score yourself)

Overall, if you are a strategy RPG lover or have nostalgia for the 《Phantom Brave》 series, then this game is definitely worth playing. Even if you are not interested in strategy RPGs, you can try it, maybe it will bring you surprises. After all, being able to relive the classics on the Nintendo Switch 2 is also a very beautiful thing. I hope this review can help everyone, thank you for watching!