It’s not unheard of for a game to only be released in Japan, but it is unusual when it’s spin-off manages to land stateside. That’s the case for Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds. While the main game of the series is a fighter, this one is a cutesy side-scroller complete with chibi styled characters. There are even light RPG elements, adding some depth to an otherwise shallow pool.
While everything in this game is wonderfully solid, I found it impossible to follow along. Without any context the story is nigh impossible to decipher. Fortunately the combat makes up for this, if just barely. Local co-op adds re-playability to the package if only the characters were interesting to play as. Each of the four selectable characters are generic, sporting the usual anime archetypes. I’m sure there’s more to them, but the game never tries to prove that.
Phantom Breaker Battle Grounds is a fairly decent distraction that unfortunately plops you in the middle of the story expecting you to care. Without any context this game is whittled down to nothing more than an ok side-scroller filled with cookie cutter anime heroines.
Phantom Breaker Battle Grounds Gameplay First Stage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUaOKm4XKbM
Phantom Breaker Battle Grounds Gameplay Second Stage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPQIk68Ekvs