Has the hybrid turn-based & real-time tactics game caught your eye? Sure, it has an innovative timeline-based command system and a very nice presentation, but is it worth your hard-earned cash? Here are four things to consider before you buy Phantom Brigade (Steam Link):

#1: It’s a Unique Blend of Real-Time Strategy, Base Management, and “WeGo” Combat

Phantom Brigade attempts to meld many strategy sub-genres in a unique combination of almost conflicting game types.

First, you’ll be tasked with moving your mechs – and their mobile base – on a real-time strategy map. You’ll position your mobile base at various points of interest on the map to either take new territory, hold an acquired domain, or even respond to some dynamic events. It’s pausable real-time, so don’t worry too much if your reflexes aren’t what they used to be (cough cough Ben).

Between those missions, you’ll also be managing your mechs, upgrading them with parts scavenged through the various encounters you’ll have, repairing those mechs, and customizing them pretty extensively.

Combat utilizes a “WeGo” system, which is to say that both sides issue their orders ahead of each turn and then move at the same time. In Phantom Brigade, these turns are in five-second increments, with the clever catch here being that your forces have experimental technology that lets them see enemy movement 5 seconds in advance. Though this sounds overpowered, your squad will frequently be outnumbered and outgunned in battles so the prediction technology evens the playing field.

Each of these phases of the game is pretty different in its mechanics and skill sets, but somehow, Brace Yourself Games managed to make it all feel cohesive and easy to navigate. User interface icons are easy to figure out and the combat interface, while very different than most, quickly becomes easy to navigate and become proficient with.

Speaking of combat…

#2: Combat is Fun and Energetic, But The Controls Take Some Time to Figure Out

This is going to be a bit difficult to fully explain, so perhaps this video will help:

As you may have seen above, combat orders are set up in a way resembling a video editor. As you scrub through the editor, you’ll see the enemy movements as they will occur prior to execution. In turn, you issue commands to your mechs during that timeline that will look to intercept future movements, as you see this future before it happens.

What transpires is almost always fun to watch, as your mechs move in cinematic fashion, dashing as you’ve directed, firing on command, and working against the enemy with that slight edge given by seeing five seconds into the future. However, even the most careful planning can sometimes go awry due to the physics-based gameplay. As an example, an enemy tank could have a tread blown off while it is moving across the planned path of an enemy mech, causing the mech to trip on the tank and crash to the ground.

Working in tandem with the combat system, the level of mech customization present is truly astounding. There are so many different weapons, shields, and various mech parts to mix and match, with arms, legs, mech torsos, and more that you’ll be able to create the perfect mech for the job. The evolution of finding new and better parts feels akin to finding great loot in an ARPG like Diablo and Grim Dawn.

Once you get the hang of how to control combat, embrace the pandemonium that will ensue. Then enjoy the fruits of your labor with new mech parts and as your mechs become more and more capable, Phantom Brigade really starts to shine.

#3: The Narrative Starts, But Doesn’t Continue

Phantom Brigade begins with a rather heart-wrenching cinematic, a dramatic introduction to a world now conquered by a mysterious evil force. To its credit, it does a great job of drawing your attention to the world and even manages to illicit anger and a need for revenge.

As you play Phantom Brigade’s dynamic campaign, you’ll find some one-off story events from time to time, but the overarching narrative is disappointingly missing.

While I’m not looking for the narrative story of a role-playing game or even XCOM-level storytelling, some continuation of what was started in the entry cinematic would have really helped make the campaign feel more cohesive and, at least in the first run or two, provided some extra incentive to keep playing.

I’ll get greedy and hope for a dynamic story, too, that may reflect the current state of your campaign. As territories are won and lost, seeing different story events that reflect the current state of the war would be really immersive.

The fact that there isn’t any overarching narrative feels like a real opportunity lost and is disappointing in light of the quality and emotion of the opening story teaser. Because really, that’s all it is: a tease.

#4: Some Planned Features Didn’t Make It, Like Pilot Customization

Throughout the Early Access period on the Epic Games Store, one of the most often-requested features was a pilot customization system, wherein the pilots would gain levels with combat experience, adding a sense of connection with those mech pilots that you would develop over time and also allowing for focuses on different strengths for our pilots, providing more varied gameplay, and adding perhaps an RPG-like depth to pilot development.

The feature was often mentioned as being a mechanic in active consideration and there were even some hints that it would be fully developed. Unfortunately, it never made it and Phantom Brigade is less of a game for it, in my opinion. A system like this would have helped the player develop relationships and connections with their pilots, further increasing tension during battles, and adding “tactical retreat” as a more welcomed strategy in some cases, as a player will want to keep their better pilots alive.

Unfortunately, this wasn’t the only often-mentioned addition that didn’t make it for version 1.0, as a rival system, something akin to perhaps Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor’s Nemesis system, was another system that hasn’t made it to the release version.

While I’m not here to necessarily fault a game for not having systems that I simply *want*, it is a harder pill to swallow when those systems were often mentioned as likely additions while understanding the depth and sense of connection that systems like these would provide to Phantom Brigade, only to see that they didn’t make it into the end product.

To their credit, Brace Yourself Games have said that they still want to add those systems, depending on game sales, but many of us that have been following the development of Phantom Brigade since the beginning were really disappointed to see that it’s still not in the game.

So, if you’re looking for a story here to help tie all of the things you’re doing together narratively, then you’ll be pretty disappointed with Phantom Brigade.

Conclusion

Phantom Brigade is a unique tactics game with superb visuals. It’s incredibly fun to see how predictably unpredictable combat unfolds and just as much fun to upgrade your mechs with salvaged equipment from defeated enemy mechs.

If you’re getting Phantom Brigade for the sole purpose of enjoying frenetic, brutal, and cerebral tactical combat with some minor dabbling into strategic-level real-time scheming, alongside some RPG-like mech progression, then you’re likely going to enjoy Phantom Brigade.

If you’re looking for something a little deeper, with more profound customization among your pilots, a gripping narrative, or other systems found in comparable games, then you’re better off waiting for now. Phantom Brigade is a great game for the right player, but it may not offer enough for those looking for more game systems to meddle with.