Phantom Brigade Review Summary

Tactical mech combat praised: Players consistently highlight the tactical mech combat as a standout feature, comparing it favorably to games like Battletech and Mechwarrior. The combat is described as dynamic, fast-paced, and top-notch, with a unique blend of turn-based and real-time elements.

Version 2.0 improvements: The 2.0 update is highly praised for addressing issues from the original release and significantly improving the game. Players note that it is a major overhaul that makes the game more interesting and enjoyable.

Fun and enjoyable gameplay: Many players express that the game is fun and enjoyable overall. The combat system, battles, and general gameplay are frequently described as fun and engaging.

Pilot customization and progression: Players appreciate the extensive customization options for pilots, including cosmetic changes, traits, and skill specialization. The pilot progression system, which includes leveling up and potential injuries or deaths, adds depth to the gameplay.

Well-implemented combat mechanics: The combat mechanics are frequently described as well-implemented, detailed, and fantastic. Players find the combat system unique, fun, and exciting.

Weak narrative and storytelling: The game lacks a compelling storyline, voice acting, and cutscenes, making the story feel simplistic and bare bones. Players report a lack of plot, random events, and endgame content.

Weapon and game balance issues: There are significant balance problems, particularly with certain weapons being overpowered and others being underpowered, affecting gameplay fairness.

Poor user interface design: The UI is frequently described as confusing, inconsistent, and difficult to use. Players find it underwhelming and poorly designed, affecting overall usability.

Lack of variety in enemies and maps: Players note a lack of enemy variety, limited map variety, and repetitive combat maps, leading to a monotonous gaming experience.

Inadequate pilot progression: The pilot progression system is criticized for being lackluster and not offering meaningful development or customization options.

Turn-based and real-time hybrid combat: The game features a unique blend of turn-based and real-time strategy elements. Players engage in turn-based missions with simultaneous turn mechanics, where actions are planned and executed in real-time intervals, often within 5-second turns.

Predictive combat mechanics: The combat system includes a prediction mechanic that allows players to anticipate enemy movements and plan their strategies accordingly. This adds a layer of tactical depth and strategic planning to the turn-based combat.

Pilot management and customization: The game includes a pilot system with various customization options, such as classes, talent trees, and traits. Players can manage pilot experience, fatigue, and specialization, adding depth to the gameplay.

Variety in builds and gameplay: There is a wide variety of builds, weapons, and equipment available, allowing for diverse gameplay experiences. Players can experiment with different weapon types, mech parts, and strategies to suit their preferences.

Progression and difficulty settings: The game features a progression system with mission advancements and weapon unlocks. Additionally, there are adjustable difficulty settings to cater to different player skill levels, providing a challenging and rewarding experience.

Good performance and stability: Many players report that the game runs well with good optimization, smooth performance, and stability. Some players also noted that the software performance and stability are acceptable.

High system requirements: The game has demanding graphics settings and runs poorly on old hardware. It also has issues with optimization and tends to consume a lot of computer resources.

Game lag and crashes: Players experience game lag and system crashes. There are also reports of the game causing issues with the user's PC.

Performance issues on Steam Deck: The game is not well optimized for Steam Deck, leading to high battery usage and potential crashes. However, some players report it works fine when locked at 30fps.

Visual and control issues: Players report difficulty playing on small screens and issues with bright and washed-out visuals causing vision problems. There are also controller support issues.

Recommended for turn-based and mech fans: The game is highly recommended for fans of turn-based tactics, mechs, and sci-fi combat. It is particularly appealing to those who enjoy games like XCOM and other tactical strategy games.

Worth the price: Many reviewers agree that the game is worth buying at full price, especially for fans of mecha strategy games. Some suggest waiting for a sale, but overall, it is considered a good value.

Recommended despite issues: The game is recommended by many reviewers, even though some acknowledge that it has certain issues. The overall experience seems to outweigh the problems for most players.

Comparisons to other games: The game is often compared to other popular titles like XCOM, Darkest Dungeon, FTL, and Battletech. These comparisons help potential buyers understand the gameplay style and appeal.

Suggestions for improvements: Reviewers have suggested various improvements such as adding more maps, enemy aces, vendors, voice acting, and improving the story. These suggestions indicate areas where the game could be enhanced.

Community fair range: $15.00 - $30.00.

Game completion: 60.0h.

The game initially feels repetitive and frustrating due to the tutorial and early missions, but becomes more enjoyable and dynamic once players start customizing their mechs and pilots.

Reported time to anchor: 2h.

Friction: Repetitive tutorial and early missions; Initial learning curve; Lack of early variety.

Unlock drivers: Customization of mechs; Customization of pilots; Understanding game mechanics.

Tactical Strategist: Plans and executes strategies carefully, appreciates complex mechanics and customization. Motivation: Enjoys deep tactical and strategic gameplay. Stance: buy.

Customization Enthusiast: Experiments with different builds and strategies, enjoys tweaking and optimizing their mechs and pilots. Motivation: Enjoys deep customization and personalization options. Stance: buy.

Aesthetic Appreciator: Appreciates the game's aesthetic qualities, enjoys the overall atmosphere and is willing to invest time into the game. Motivation: Enjoys immersive and visually appealing experiences. Stance: sale.

Steam Deck: The game faces several technical barriers on the Steam Deck, including small text and UI scaling issues, optimization and performance problems, control difficulties, and significant overheating issues. These factors collectively impact the user experience, requiring additional effort and adjustments to play the game effectively on the Steam Deck.

Linux and Proton: The game generally works well on Linux with minor loading delays reported.

Monetization: The reviews indicate a highly positive reception to the game, with users expressing a strong desire for additional content and a willingness to support the developers through the purchase of DLC. There are no indications of predatory monetization practices, and the overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive.

External guides: The primary issue identified from user feedback is the lack of instructional data, including in-game explanations and detailed wikis. This significantly impacts the user experience, as players struggle to understand game mechanics and item properties. Additionally, the absence of strategy sites and rough edges in the game contribute to a less enjoyable gameplay experience.

Personal connection to theme: Players expressed a personal connection to the game's theme, particularly as Ukrainians.

Enjoyable on Steam Deck: Players found the game fun to play on the Steam Deck.

Disclaimer about characters: Some reviews mentioned a disclaimer about 'woke' characters, but noted that it had a low impact on their experience.