Phantom Brave: The Hermuda Triangle Remastered on the PlayStation 5 is a reintroduction to Marona and her loyal phantom companion, Ash, a duo whose adventure is both charming and melancholy. Developed by Nippon Ichi Software and originally released years ago, Phantom Brave brings a fresh coat of visual polish and technical improvements to the console while keeping the heart of its story and tactical gameplay intact. The story centers on Marona, a young girl with the ability to summon Phantoms, a skill that makes her both useful and ostracized in the world of Ivoire. As she takes on various missions to earn a living and achieve her dreams, Marona must navigate the prejudice that surrounds her “possessed” status while staying true to her optimistic nature.
One of Phantom Brave’s most distinctive features is its Confinement system, which replaces traditional RPG classes with summoned spirits bound to objects in the environment. This unique approach offers an unusual level of strategic depth, as each object alters a summoned character’s stats and lifespan on the battlefield. It’s an engaging and rewarding twist, though it also introduces challenges. Because phantoms are confined for a limited number of turns, each decision feels high-stakes, forcing you to balance risk and reward. For some players, the system may feel overly restrictive, but those who enjoy a challenging layer of strategy will certainly find it intriguing.
The remaster introduces several technical enhancements, including support for 120 FPS, faster (near-instant) load times, and improved textures and rendering quality. The added CRT shader brings a nostalgic feel that nods to its classic origins and inspirations. The graphical improvements are particularly noticeable in character models and landscapes, though Phantom Brave remains stylistically retro, which might feel limited and even dated compared to other modern remasters. The anti-aliasing and anisotropic filtering, however, do enhance the presentation, creating a cleaner, more polished aesthetic that complements the game’s imaginative world design.
Gameplay-wise, Phantom Brave retains its signature turn-based tactical combat, but its freeform movement and lack of a grid make it distinct from traditional tactics games. This approach creates fluidity in positioning and strategy, but it also requires precision and forethought. The system can be both liberating and cumbersome in that sense, as without clear placement boundaries, players may find it challenging to line up attacks or maneuver effectively. It’s a double-edged sword that adds to the game’s complexity but may frustrate players who prefer the structure of grid-based tactics they might be more familiar with.
The controls on the PS5 are responsive and intuitive, though navigating some of the menus can still feel clunky. The quality-of-life updates, such as quicker saves and loads, alleviate some of the pacing issues that have previously bogged down the gameplay, especially during longer sessions. However, the interface feels like it could use more streamlining, as it still reflects its older design origins, which may come off as dated to today’s players.
On the audio front, the game’s soundtrack is a high point, mixing beautiful melodies with upbeat tunes that match the game’s blend of lighthearted and somber themes. The music creates an atmospheric backdrop that enriches the journey, while the voice acting, though limited, adds depth to key characters like Marona and Ash. Some players may find the audio experience more nostalgic than anything, as it largely retains its original sound design without major updates.
Ultimately, Phantom Brave: The Hermuda Triangle Remastered is a rewarding revisit for fans and an interesting option for newcomers looking to explore a unique tactical RPG. The game’s themes of resilience and kindness shine through in Marona’s journey, and while its gameplay innovations are both inventive and occasionally challenging, they give the game a distinctive identity in the genre. The remaster’s graphical and performance upgrades make it accessible to a new generation, though some of its dated mechanics may not appeal to everyone. Still, for those drawn to the story’s emotional depth and the tactical challenge of its unique Confinement system, Phantom Brave remains a memorable and worthwhile experience on the PS5.
Score: 7.8/10
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