History VideoGame / PhantomBreaker

* DropTheHammer: Itsuki's weapon, a battle hammer named Maggie.

''Phantom Breaker'' is a 2D {{fighting game}} produced by MAGES. (formally [=5pb.=]) and co-developed by Delta Factory and Release Universal Network, released for UsefulNotes/{{Xbox 360}} and subsequently UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 3}}. It is a CreatorDrivenSuccessor to the ''VideoGame/Asuka120Percent'' series originally developed by Fill-in-Café. The game was designed by Masatoshi Imaizumi and Masaki Ukyo, whom previously also worked on fighting and beat 'em up games such ''VideoGame/MadStalkerFullMetalForce'' and ''VideoGame/PanzerBandit'' as well as ''Asuka 120%'', while the game's character art was illustrated by Hiro Suzuhira of ''VisualNovel/YosugaNoSora'' and ''VisualNovel/{{Shuffle}}'' fame, and its music was composed by Takeshi Abo, the composer behind music of ''VisualNovel/MemoriesOff'' and the first four ''VisualNovel/{{Infinity}}'' visual novels.

An UpdatedRerelease titled ''Phantom Breaker: Extra'' has later released on September 2013 in Japan for Xbox 360 and [=PlayStation=] 3, featuring a new "Extra" style, rebalanced gameplay, new playable characters, extra stages, updated graphics, a Situation Battle mode in place of the Story Mode, and online multiplayer spectating support. Unlike the original ''Phantom Breaker'', this version is also region-free on Xbox 360. Another updated port of ''Phantom Breaker'' based on its ''Extra'' version, titled ''Phantom Breaker: Omnia'', was co-developed by MAGES. and [=GameLoop=] (the latter also went on to co-develop ''VideoGame/MeltyBlood: Type Lumina'') and published by Rocket Panda Games was released on March 15, 2022 for [=PlayStation=] 4, UsefulNotes/{{Xbox One}}, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam. This re-release of the game, on top of being released worldwide for the first time in 11 years since the original game, includes dual-audio support for Japanese and English voice-acting, features addition of a new "Omnia" style in place of the "Extra" style, two new playable characters (Maestra and Artifactor), further gameplaying rebalancing, a remixed soundtrack along with the option for the original soundtrack, as well as the Story and Situation Battle Modes respectively from both the original ''Phantom Breaker'' and its ''Extra'' re-release. The official trailer can be seen [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKM3fJ7HWYI here]], and a gameplay trailer [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duojb6yMst4 here]]. A "First Contact" manga was also published by Rocket Panda Games and can be found [[https://phantombreakeromnia.com/manga/ here]]. The game's [[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8vMr-spGqnnfMbkxTOB0WR_aqV3Xncqh remixed]] and [[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8vMr-spGqnk_rkOsRu_cWYX_VqIwIXZX original]] soundtrack can also be heard on Rocket Panda Game's [=YouTube=] channel.

A {{Retr|aux}}o-styled SuperDeformed {{spin|Off}}-off developed by [=Division2=], titled ''Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds'', was released on February 27, 2013 on UsefulNotes/XboxLive to tie potential fans over after the original plans of localizing ''Phantom Breaker'' was canceled at the time. It is a BeatEmUp that takes the gameplay of its parent game while taking some cues from the likes of ''Panzer Bandit'' and ''VideoGame/GuardianHeroes'' where players can fight hordes of enemies between interchangeable 2D planes with RPGElements that allows players to level up their characters to increase their stats and unlock abilities such as {{double jump}}ing, extending their autocombos, and unlock the new All Range Attack. The game stars [[ElegantGothicLolita Mikoto]], [[{{Miko}} Waka]], [[NinjaMaid Itsuki]], and [[HighlyVisibleNinja Yuzuha]] as the main characters while other characters such [[CosplayOtakuGirl Cocoa]] and [[TheDragon Infinity]] are reserved for the Arcade, Co-op, and Battlegrounds versus modes. There's also a [[DownloadableContent DLC]] that adds ''VisualNovel/SteinsGate''[='=]s Kurisu Makise as a playable character (except for Story Mode), a bump in the characters' level cap from Level 50 to 99, and extra Achievements for $5. A port of the game was released for the UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation Vita}} in 2014, with customizable controls and adds Nagi, Waka's kidnapped younger sister, to the playable roster. It was later ported to PC through UsefulNotes/{{Steam}} on January 23, 2015; it is also available on Creator/HumbleBundle. On November 17, 2016, a second [=DLC=] added ''VisualNovel/RoboticsNotes''[='=]s Frau Koujiro as a playable character, who also features a level cap bump similarly to Kurisu's DLC and adds new achievements. MAGES. later went on to develop a spiritual successor of ''Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds'' in the form of ''Ogre Tale'' and was released on August 20, 2020 for PC through Steam; console versions were also announced, but they [[{{Vaporware}} remain to be released]].

An enhanced port of the game titled ''Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Overdrive'' was later released for UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 4}}, featuring expanded RPGElements, branching paths, and rebalanced gameplay. A port of ''Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Overdrive'' was later released for the UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch on December 7, 2017, which stripped out the branching paths introduced in the [=PlayStation=] 4 version, but also comes bundled all of the previously released [=DLCs=] to make up for the initial lack of online multiplayer features prior to the launch of the Nintendo Switch Online service. Another updated re-release titled ''Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate'' was announced by Rocket Panda games and will be released in 2024 for all modern platforms and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store. It is a remastered version of ''Battle Grounds'', rebuilt from the ground up using Unreal Engine 5, and expanding multiplayer up to 8 players locally and online with cross-platform support. The entire playable cast from the ''Overdrive'' version also will make a return, along with possible new characters added to ''Battle Grounds Ultimate''.

** You'll find an ad for a [[UsefulNotes/Nintendo3DS 4DS]] in the Akihabara stage. There's also various things around Ikebukuro such as ''Jenny's'' and ''King of Burger''.

Gameplay-wise, ''Phantom Breaker'' is a weapons-based fighting game that borrows gameplay elements from its spiritual predecessor while utilizing defensive and evasive maneuvers. Each character in the game has two different fighting styles (or three in the updated versions): a Quick style that focuses on mobility and quick attacks for combos, and a Hard style focusing on defense and countering attacks. The game uses three buttons for standard Light, Medium, and Heavy attacks, each with simple directional variations, and a fourth Special Attack button dedicated to performing special moves or actions. By pressing a combination of two of these attack buttons, players can perform a "light" version of their special attacks, spend 100% of their Burst Gauge to perform an EXSpecialAttack, enter an [[SuperMode Overdrive]] state that grants the user temporary BulletTime (Quick) or [[ImmuneToFlinching Super Armor]] (Hard) while recovering a portion of lost health, or perform a devastating [[LimitBreak Phantom Break]] or All Range Attack (Omnia) against their opponent. Not only attacks can be strung together through [[LagCancel canceling]] one into another to form combos, but other actions such as blocking an opponent's attack can also be canceled through special maneuvers as well. As players battle and clash their attacks against each other, a Tension Gauge underneath the timer also builds that, once filled, temporarily grants both combatants an attack power boost and their Burst Gauge constantly filled up to half of their maximum capacity. Compared to other fighting games of the genre, the ''Phantom Breaker'' takes an "easy to learn, hard to master" approach to its gameplay that offers a low skill floor for causal players to easily pick up the basics of the game while doing away with complex motion inputs to perform special attacks and autocombos for basic attacks, while offering a high skill ceiling for veterans with combo potential of varying degrees based on their chosen Style and a risk-and-reward system that encourages players exploit openings in their opponent's attacks to turn the tables on them.

While the potential for a localization of the original ''Phantom Breaker'' has fallen through, a {{Retr|aux}}o-styled SuperDeformed {{spin|Off}}-off developed by [=Division2=], titled ''Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds'', was released on February 27, 2013 on UsefulNotes/XboxLive to tie potential fans over. It is a BeatEmUp that takes the gameplay of its parent game while taking some cues from the likes of ''Panzer Bandie'' and ''VideoGame/GuardianHeroes'' where players can fight hordes of enemies between interchangeable 2D planes with RPGElements that allows players to level up their characters to increase their stats and unlock abilities such as {{double jump}}ing, extending their autocombos, and the new All Range Attack. The game stars [[ElegantGothicLolita Mikoto]], [[{{Miko}} Waka]], [[NinjaMaid Itsuki]], and [[HighlyVisibleNinja Yuzuha]] as the main characters while other characters such [[CosplayOtakuGirl Cocoa]] and [[TheDragon Infinity]] are reserved for the Arcade, Co-op, and Battlegrounds versus modes. There's also a [[DownloadableContent DLC]] that adds ''VisualNovel/SteinsGate''[='=]s Kurisu Makise as a playable character (except for Story Mode), a bump in the characters' level cap from Level 50 to 99, and extra Achievements for $5. A port of the game was released for the UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation Vita}} in 2014, with customizable controls and adds Nagi, Waka's kidnapped younger sister, to the playable roster. It was later ported to PC through UsefulNotes/{{Steam}} on January 23, 2015; it is also available on Creator/HumbleBundle. On November 17, 2016, a second [=DLC=] added ''VisualNovel/RoboticsNotes''[='=]s Frau Koujiro as a playable character, who also features a level cap bump similarly to Kurisu's DLC and adds new achievements. MAGES. later went on to develop a spiritual successor of ''Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds'' in the form of ''Ogre Tale'' and was released on August 20, 2020 for PC through Steam; console versions were also announced, but they [[{{Vaporware}} remain to be released]].

Gameplay-wise, ''Phantom Breaker'' is a weapons-based fighting game that borrows gameplay elements from its spiritual predecessor, yet emphasizes on utilizing defensive and evasive maneuvers. Each character in the game has two different fighting styles (or three in the updated versions): a Quick style that focuses on mobility and quick attacks for combos, and a Hard style focusing on defense and countering attacks. The game uses three buttons for standard Light, Medium, and Heavy attacks each with simple directional variations and a fourth Special Attack button dedicated to performing special moves or actions. By pressing a combination of two of these attack buttons, players can spend 100% of their Burst Gauge perform an EXSpecialAttack, enter an [[SuperMode Overdrive]] state that can grant the user temporary BulletTime (Quick) or [[ImmuneToFlinching Super Armor]] (Hard) while recovering a portion of their lost health, or perform a devastating [[LimitBreak Phantom Break]] or All Range Attack (Omnia) against their opponent. Not only attacks can be strung together through [[LagCancel canceling]] one into another to form combos, but other actions such as blocking an opponent's attack can also be canceled through special maneuvers as well. As players clash their attacks against each other, a Tension Gauge also builds that, once filled, temporarily grants both combatants an attack power boost and a full Burst Gauge charge. Compared to other fighting games of the genre, the game takes an "easy to learn, hard to master" approach that offers a low skill floor for causal players to easily pick up the basics of the game while doing away with complex motion inputs to perform special attacks, while offering a high skill ceiling for veteran fighting game players with combo potential of varying degrees based on their chosen Style and a risk-and-reward system that encourages players exploit openings in their opponent's attacks to turn the tables on them.

The game was originally released exclusively in Japan on June 2, 2011 for the Xbox 360. It was picked up for an English localization by [=7sixty=], a subsidiary of [=SouthPeak=] Interactive, for an early 2012 release, but after various delays, cancelations, and publisher issues, it was quietly canceled and never saw a release anywhere else.[[note]]Except the only times the English version of ''Phantom Breaker'' was seen and/or playable in some way was at [[https://www.facebook.com/178760112213329/photos/?tab=album&album_id=267094590046547 Anime Matsuri]] 2011 in Houston, Texas, a preview of the game from Website/ScrewAttack, various trailers of the English version over at [=7sixty=]'s [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlTr2MjBdxQ&list=PLAC036FBDABCE3FA0 YouTube channel]], and review copies given out to reviewers. The game is already in a completed and localized in physical form, but was never released due to [=7sixty=] constantly delaying the game's release up until its ultimate cancelation after Southpeak Interactive going under in 2013, which didn't see light of day for the general public save for the lucky few that actually have the game (as two sets of achievement lists for both the Japanese and English versions of the game exists). However, the only official ''Phantom Breaker'' merchandise to ever make it stateside was the English artbook of the game translated by Udon.[[/note]] The game was later ported to arcades in Japan on the Creator/{{Sega}} [=RingEdge=] 2 arcade board as ''Phantom Breaker: Another Code'' on April 4, 2013, with a later v1.1 revision released on June 2013 that added Infinity to its playable roster with gameplay rebalancing and a new opening sequence. An UpdatedRerelease titled ''Phantom Breaker: Extra'' has later released on September 2013 in Japan for Xbox 360 and [=PlayStation=] 3, featuring a new "Extra" style, rebalanced gameplay, new playable characters, extra stages, updated graphics, and online multiplayer spectating support. Unlike the original ''Phantom Breaker'', this re-release is also region-free on Xbox 360.

While the potential for a ''Phantom Breaker'' localization has fallen through, a [[SuperDeformed cutesy]] [[{{Retraux}} retro-styled]] [[BeatEmUp beat 'em up]] {{spin|Off}}-off developed by [=Division2=], titled ''Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds'', was released on February 27, 2013 on UsefulNotes/XboxLive to tie potential fans over. It stars [[ElegantGothicLolita Mikoto]], [[{{Miko}} Waka]], [[NinjaMaid Itsuki]], and [[HighlyVisibleNinja Yuzuha]] as the main characters while other characters such [[CosplayOtakuGirl Cocoa]] and [[TheDragon Infinity]] are reserved for the Arcade, Co-op, and Battlegrounds versus modes. There's also a [[DownloadableContent DLC]] that adds ''VisualNovel/SteinsGate''[='=]s Kurisu Makise as a playable character (except for Story Mode), a bump in the characters' level cap from Level 50 to 99, and extra Achievements for $5. A port of the game was released for the UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation Vita}} in 2014, with customizable controls and adds Nagi, Waka's kidnapped younger sister, to the playable roster. It was later ported to PC through UsefulNotes/{{Steam}} on January 23, 2015; it is also available on Creator/HumbleBundle. On November 17, 2016, a second [=DLC=] added ''VisualNovel/RoboticsNotes''[='=]s Frau Koujiro as a playable character, who also features a level cap bump similarly to Kurisu's DLC and adds new achievements. An enhanced port of the game titled ''Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Overdrive'' was later released for UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 4}}, featuring expanded RPGElements, branching paths, and rebalanced gameplay. A port of ''Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Overdrive'' was later released for the UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch on December 7, 2017, which stripped out the branching paths introduced in the [=PlayStation=] 4 version, but also comes bundled all of the previously released [=DLCs=] to make up for the initial lack of online multiplayer features prior to the launch of the Nintendo Switch Online service. ''Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds'' also received a spiritual successor of its own in the form of ''Ogre Tale''. An updated re-release titled ''Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate'' will be released in 2024 on all modern platforms, it is a remaster of ''Battle Grounds'' made under Unreal Engine 5 built from the ground up, and will support up to 8 players online via cross-platform play. The entire playable cast from the ''Overdrive'' version will make a return, along with possible new characters added to ''Battle Grounds Ultimate''.

Another updated port of ''Phantom Breaker'' based on its ''Extra'' version, titled ''Phantom Breaker: Omnia'', was co-developed by MAGES. and [=GameLoop=] (the latter also went on to co-develop ''VideoGame/MeltyBlood: Type Lumina'') and published by Rocket Panda Games was released on March 15, 2022 for [=PlayStation=] 4, UsefulNotes/{{Xbox One}}, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam. This re-release of the game, on top of being released worldwide for the first time in 11 years since the original game, includes dual-audio support for Japanese and English voice-acting, features addition of a new "Omnia" style in place of the "Extra" style, two new playable characters, further gameplaying rebalancing, a remixed soundtrack along with the option for the original soundtrack, as well as the Story and Situation Battle Modes respectively from both the original ''Phantom Breaker'' and its ''Extra'' re-release. The official trailer can be seen [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKM3fJ7HWYI here]], and a gameplay trailer [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duojb6yMst4 here]]. A "First Contact" manga was also published by Rocket Panda Games and can be found [[https://phantombreakeromnia.com/manga/ here]]. The game's [[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8vMr-spGqnnfMbkxTOB0WR_aqV3Xncqh remixed]] and [[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8vMr-spGqnk_rkOsRu_cWYX_VqIwIXZX original]] soundtrack can also be heard on Rocket Panda Game's [=YouTube=] channel.

While the potential for a ''Phantom Breaker'' localization has fallen through, a [[SuperDeformed cutesy]] [[{{Retraux}} retro-styled]] [[BeatEmUp beat 'em up]] {{spin|Off}}-off developed by [=Division2=], titled ''Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds'', was released on February 27, 2013 on UsefulNotes/XboxLive to tie potential fans over. It stars [[ElegantGothicLolita Mikoto]], [[{{Miko}} Waka]], [[NinjaMaid Itsuki]], and [[HighlyVisibleNinja Yuzuha]] as the main characters while other characters such [[CosplayOtakuGirl Cocoa]] and [[TheDragon Infinity]] are reserved for the Arcade, Co-op, and Battlegrounds versus modes. There's also a [[DownloadableContent DLC]] that adds ''VisualNovel/SteinsGate''[='=]s Kurisu Makise as a playable character (except for Story Mode), a bump in the characters' level cap from Level 50 to 99, and extra Achievements for $5. A port of the game was released for the UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation Vita}} in 2014, with customizable controls and adds Nagi, Waka's kidnapped younger sister, to the playable roster. It was later ported to PC through UsefulNotes/{{Steam}} on January 23, 2015; it is also available on Creator/HumbleBundle. On November 17, 2016, a second [=DLC=] added ''VisualNovel/RoboticsNotes''[='=]s Frau Koujiro as a playable character, who also features a level cap bump similarly to Kurisu's DLC and adds new achievements. An enhanced port of the game titled ''Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Overdrive'' was later released for UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 4}}, featuring expanded RPGElements, branching paths, and rebalanced gameplay. A port of ''Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Overdrive'' was later released for the UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch on December 7, 2017, which stripped out the branching paths introduced in the [=PlayStation=] 4 version, but also comes bundled all of the previously released [=DLCs=] to make up for the initial lack of online multiplayer features prior to the launch of the Nintendo Switch Online service. ''Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds'' also received a spiritual successor of its own in the form of ''Ogre Tale''. An updated re-release titled ''Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate'' will be released in 2024 on all modern platforms, it is a remaster of Battle Grounds made under Unreal Engine 5 built from the ground up, and will support up to 8 players online via cross-platform play. The entire playable cast from the OverDrive version will make a return, along with possible new characters added to Battle Grounds Ultimate.

While the potential for a ''Phantom Breaker'' localization has fallen through, a [[SuperDeformed cutesy]] [[{{Retraux}} retro-styled]] [[BeatEmUp beat 'em up]] {{spin|Off}}-off developed by [=Division2=], titled ''Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds'', was released on February 27, 2013 on UsefulNotes/XboxLive to tie potential fans over. It stars [[ElegantGothicLolita Mikoto]], [[{{Miko}} Waka]], [[NinjaMaid Itsuki]], and [[HighlyVisibleNinja Yuzuha]] as the main characters while other characters such [[CosplayOtakuGirl Cocoa]] and [[TheDragon Infinity]] are reserved for the Arcade, Co-op, and Battlegrounds versus modes. There's also a [[DownloadableContent DLC]] that adds ''VisualNovel/SteinsGate''[='=]s Kurisu Makise as a playable character (except for Story Mode), a bump in the characters' level cap from Level 50 to 99, and extra Achievements for $5. A port of the game was released for the UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation Vita}} in 2014, with customizable controls and adds Nagi, Waka's kidnapped younger sister, to the playable roster. It was later ported to PC through UsefulNotes/{{Steam}} on January 23, 2015; it is also available on Creator/HumbleBundle. On November 17, 2016, a second [=DLC=] added ''VisualNovel/RoboticsNotes''[='=]s Frau Koujiro as a playable character, who also features a level cap bump similarly to Kurisu's DLC and adds new achievements. An enhanced port of the game titled ''Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Overdrive'' was later released for UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 4}}, featuring expanded RPGElements, branching paths, and rebalanced gameplay. A port of ''Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Overdrive'' was later released for the UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch on December 7, 2017, which stripped out the branching paths introduced in the [=PlayStation=] 4 version, but also comes bundled all of the previously released [=DLCs=] to make up for the initial lack of online multiplayer features prior to the launch of the Nintendo Switch Online service. ''Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds'' also received a spiritual successor of its own in the form of ''Ogre Tale''.

** One of Frau's normal moves has her summoning Junna, who is wearing [[MartialArtsUniform a Karate gi]], and striking baddies in front of her. Very appropiate because Junna practices Karate in her home game.

!!The Fire in Your Heart is Burning! Phantom Duel, Round 1! Fight!

* ColonyDrop: Kurisu's Phantom Break, Choice of the Steins Gate, involves dropping a [[spoiler:time machine]] [[DeathFromAbove from space]] on her enemies.

* ElegantGothicLolita: Mikoto and Cocoa.

* ImmuneToFlinching: Hard style's Overdrive gives you temporary SuperArmor, among other benefits.

* MultiPlatform: The original ''Phantom Breaker'' was an Xbox 360-exclusive title, and a Japanese-only and region-locked one at that. The UpdatedRerelease, on the other hand, is available for both Xbox 360 and [=PlayStation=] 3 as well as being import-friendly for the former. ''Phantom Breaker: Omnia'' also followed suit, being released on [=PlayStation=] 4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC through Steam, and was released world-wide to boot.

** The game then decides to crank it up a notch with 2 1/2 bosses at the end of the following stage, Shinjuku, in a fight against M, Cocoa, and [[MakesJustAsMuchSenseInContext a Phantom illusion's gigantic fists.]] Simultaneously.
* EarlyGameHell: Bosses are a pain in the ass without ForcedLevelGrinding; not only can they all [[DamageSpongeBoss soak a lot of damage]], they're also ridiculously cheap and are fans of abusing the same tactics repeatedly to make your death quick. For example, White Mikoto, the ''first true boss'', will only ever do three things: Gestrichen into a spike followed by another Gestrichen, Schneidend spam, or, if given the chance, ''corner poking the hell out of you.''
* EliteMook: ''Battle Grounds'' ''loves'' this type of enemy, and more variants are added every single stage. They first start out with perfectly normal, oversized brutes whose kick attack hurts significantly. Then you get to the bomb-tossing brutes, pie-throwing brutes, [[MakesJustAsMuchSenseInContext muscular guys in Speedos spouting]] GratuitousEnglish [[MakesJustAsMuchSenseInContext and trying to leap on top of you,]] then various kinds of aliens equipped with claws, large limbs, and [[WaveMotionGun laser eye cannons.]]

* FlunkyBoss: The first Cocoa fight looks like it's going to be a straightforward fight as was White Mikoto. Then a commuter train arrives in the background. Now it's a fight against Cocoa and at least twenty other {{Mooks}}.
* {{Foreshadowing}}: When you arrive at the Gym in Stage 1, a Red Mikoto is confronting a White Mikoto, who then takes off after you arrive. [[spoiler:This is the Mikoto of the Demonsphere, who is supposedly allied with Phantom.]]

* MechanicallyUnusualFighter: [[spoiler:Both Mikoto W (White Mikoto) and L are unlockable fighters. While their moves are identical to their counterparts, their standard attacks do not auto-chain into each other[[note]]All other characters have auto-combos that chain as L->M->H attacks[[/note]], instead being wholly isolated combos that need to be manually chained by mixing up L, M, and H inputs.]]

* WakeUpCallBoss: White Mikoto in Stage 1 will show you how powerless you are without your fancy Level Infinity.

----

The story is set in modern day Japan, where a mysterious man named Phantom has arranged a [[TournamentArc fighting tournament]] in Tokyo, and granting a wish to the winner. In order for the winner's wish to come true, each contestant of the tournament, referred to as "Duelists", must wield weapons known as "F.A.s" (Fu-mension Artifacts), weapons said to grant their users mystical powers and even distort reality. Amidst their battles, clashing steel with one another as they shake the very fabric of space and time, the Duelists of Phantom's tournament began to wonder: what is it that they desire so much that they would put their very lives on the line, what is Phantom's motive behind arranging a life-or-death tournament in the middle of Tokyo, and who will be the last one standing to see their wish come true?

Another updated port of ''Phantom Breaker'' based on its ''Extra'' version, titled ''Phantom Breaker: Omnia'', was co-developed by MAGES. and [=GameLoop=] and published by Rocket Panda Games was released on March 15, 2022 for [=PlayStation=] 4, UsefulNotes/{{Xbox One}}, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam. This re-release of the game, on top of being released world-wide for the first time in 11 years since the original game, includes dual-audio support for Japanese and English voice-acting, features addition of a new "Omnia" style in place of the "Extra" style, two new playable characters, further gameplaying rebalancing, a remixed soundtrack along with the option for the original soundtrack, as well as the Story and Situation Battle Modes respectively from both the original ''Phantom Breaker'' and its ''Extra'' re-release. The official trailer can be seen [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKM3fJ7HWYI here]], and a gameplay trailer [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duojb6yMst4 here]]. A "First Contact" manga was also published by Rocket Panda Games and can be found [[https://phantombreakeromnia.com/manga/ here]]. The game's [[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8vMr-spGqnnfMbkxTOB0WR_aqV3Xncqh remixed]] and [[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8vMr-spGqnk_rkOsRu_cWYX_VqIwIXZX original]] soundtrack can also be heard on Rocket Panda Game's [=YouTube=] channel.

Another updated port of ''Phantom Breaker'' based on its ''Extra'' version, titled ''Phantom Breaker: Omnia'', was co-developed by MAGES. and [=GameLoop=] and published by Rocket Panda Games was released on March 15, 2022 for [=PlayStation=] 4, UsefulNotes/{{Xbox One}}, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam. This re-release of the game, on top of being released world-wide for the first time in 11 years since the original game, includes dual-audio support for Japanese and English voice-acting, features addition of a new "Omnia" style in place of the "Extra" style, two new playable characters, further gameplaying rebalancing, a remixed soundtrack along with the option for the original soundtrack, as well as the Story and Scenario Modes respectively from both the original ''Phantom Breaker'' and its ''Extra'' re-release. The official trailer can be seen [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKM3fJ7HWYI here]], and a gameplay trailer [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duojb6yMst4 here]]. A manga adaptation of ''Omnia'' is also in production, and its trailer can be found [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piwZ3MSYWmg here]]. The game's [[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8vMr-spGqnnfMbkxTOB0WR_aqV3Xncqh remixed]] and [[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8vMr-spGqnk_rkOsRu_cWYX_VqIwIXZX original]] soundtrack can also be heard on Rocket Panda Game's [=YouTube=] channel.

* BlindIdiotTranslation: The U.S. version of the series art book makes a blatant mistake in Mikoto's profile and claims she is the one rendered deaf by an accident rather than her adoptive uncle who lost his hearing from illness.

** Omnia Style is the JackOfAllStats: an intermediate between Quick and Hard styles, the characters are fairly balanced in attack and speed, they retain their autocombos and the ability to evade, but they can't perform Phantom Breaks or Overdrives. Instead of that, the Burst Gauge reaches 4 levels instead of 2, after which the character can perform a devastating All Range Attack, first seen in the ''Battle Grounds'' spin-off.

* TheMaker: ''Omnia'' introduces the Reverants, a race of cosmic beings who are the original creators of the universe, and the ones who created the F.A.. Artifactor is the only one known in existence.

''Phantom Breaker'' is a 2D {{fighting game}} produced by MAGES. (formally [=5pb.=]) and co-developed by Delta Factory and Release Universal Network, released for UsefulNotes/{{Xbox 360}} and subsequently UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 3}}. The game is a CreatorDrivenSuccessor to the ''VideoGame/Asuka120Percent'' series originally developed by Fill-in-Café. The game was designed by Masatoshi Imaizumi and Masaki Ukyo, whom previously also worked on fighting and beat 'em up games such ''VideoGame/MadStalkerFullMetalForce'' and ''VideoGame/PanzerBandit'' as well as ''Asuka 120%'', while the game's character art was illustrated by Hiro Suzuhira of ''VisualNovel/YosugaNoSora'' and ''VisualNovel/{{Shuffle}}'' fame, and its music was composed by Takeshi Abo, the composer behind music of ''VisualNovel/MemoriesOff'' and the first four ''VisualNovel/{{Infinity}}'' visual novels.

The story is set in modern day Japan, where a mysterious man named Phantom has arranged a [[TournamentArc fighting tournament]] in Tokyo, and granting a wish to the winner. Each contestant of the tournament, referred as "Duelists", must wield dimensional-altering weapons known as "F.A.s" (Fu-mension Artifacts) as [[DeadlyGame they must fight to the death]]. Amidst their battles, clashing steel with one another as they shake the very fabric of space and time, the Duelists of Phantom's tournament began to wonder: what is it that they desire so much that they would put their very lives on the line, what is Phantom's motive behind arranging a life-or-death tournament in the middle of Tokyo, and who will be the last one standing to see their wish come true?

Gameplay-wise, ''Phantom Breaker'' borrows gameplay elements from its spiritual predecessor, yet emphasizes on utilizing defensive and evasive maneuvers. Each character in the game has two different fighting styles (or three in the updated versions): a Quick style that focuses on mobility and quick attacks for combos, and a Hard style focusing on defense and countering attacks. The game uses three buttons for standard Light, Medium, and Heavy attacks each with simple directional variations and a fourth Special Attack button dedicated for performing special moves or actions. By pressing a combination of two of these attack buttons, players can spend 100% of their Burst Gauge perform an EXSpecialAttack, enter an [[SuperMode Overdrive]] state that can grant the user temporary BulletTime (Quick) or [[ImmuneToFlinching Super Armor]] (Hard) while recovering a portion of their lost health, or perform a devastating [[LimitBreak Phantom Break]] or All-Range Attack (Omnia) against their opponent. Not only attacks can be strung together through [[LagCancel canceling]] one into another to form combos, but other actions such as blocking an opponent's can also be canceled through special maneuvers or attacks as well. As players deal damage and clash their attacks against each other, a Tension Gauge also builds that, once filled, temporarily grants both combatants an attack power boost and a full Burst Gauge charge. Compared to other fighting games of the genre, the game takes an "easy to learn, hard to master" approach that offers a low skill floor for causal players to easily pick up the basics of the game while doing away with complex motion inputs, but it also offers a high skill ceiling for veteran fighting game players with combo potential of varying degrees based on their chosen Style and a risk-and-reward system that encourages players exploit openings in their opponent's attacks to turn the tables on them.

The game was originally released exclusively in Japan on June 2, 2011 for the Xbox 360. It was picked up for an English localization by [=7sixty=], a subsidiary of Southpeak Interactive, for an early 2012 release, but after various delays, cancelations, and publisher issues, it was quietly canceled and never saw a release anywhere else.[[note]]Except the only times the English version of ''Phantom Breaker'' was seen and/or playable in some way was at [[https://www.facebook.com/178760112213329/photos/?tab=album&album_id=267094590046547 Anime Matsuri]] 2011 in Houston, Texas, a preview of the game from Website/ScrewAttack, various trailers of the English version over at [=7sixty=]'s [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlTr2MjBdxQ&list=PLAC036FBDABCE3FA0 YouTube channel]], and review copies given out to reviewers. The game is already in a completed and localized in physical form, but was never released due to [=7sixty=] constantly delaying the game's release up until its ultimate cancelation after Southpeak Interactive going under in 2013, which didn't see light of day for the general public save for the lucky few that actually have the game (as two sets of achievement lists for both the Japanese and English versions of the game exists). However, the only official ''Phantom Breaker'' merchandise to ever make it stateside was the English artbook of the game translated by Udon.[[/note]] The game was later ported to arcades in Japan on the Creator/{{Sega}} [=RingEdge=] 2 arcade board as ''Phantom Breaker: Another Code'' on April 4, 2013, with a later v1.1 revision released on June 2013 that added Infinity to its playable roster with gameplay rebalancing and a new opening sequence. An UpdatedRerelease titled ''Phantom Breaker: Extra'' has later released on September 2013 in Japan for Xbox 360 and [=PlayStation=] 3, featuring a new "Extra" style, rebalanced gameplay, new playable characters, extra stages, updated graphics, and online multiplayer spectating support. Unlike the original ''Phantom Breaker'', this re-release is also region-free on Xbox 360.

Another updated port of ''Phantom Breaker'' based on its ''Extra'' version, titled ''Phantom Breaker: Omnia'', was co-developed by MAGES. and [=GameLoop=] and published by Rocket Panda Games was released on March 15, 2022 for [=PlayStation=] 4, UsefulNotes/{{Xbox One}}, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam. This re-release of the game, on top of being released world-wide for the first time in 11 years since its original release along with dual-audio support for Japanese and English voice-acting, features addition of a new "Omnia" style in place of the "Extra" style, two new playable characters, further gameplaying rebalancing, a remixed soundtrack along with the option for the original soundtrack, as well as the Story Mode from both the original ''Phantom Breaker'' and its ''Extra'' re-release. The official trailer can be seen [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKM3fJ7HWYI here]], and a gameplay trailer [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duojb6yMst4 here]]. A manga adaptation of ''Omnia'' is also in production, and its trailer can be found [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piwZ3MSYWmg here]]. The game's [[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8vMr-spGqnnfMbkxTOB0WR_aqV3Xncqh remixed]] and [[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8vMr-spGqnk_rkOsRu_cWYX_VqIwIXZX original]] soundtrack can also be heard on Rocket Panda Game's [=YouTube=] channel.

* BlindIdiotTranslation: The US version of the series art book makes a blatant mistake in Mikoto's profile and claims she is the one rendered deaf by an accident rather than her friend.
* BloodKnight: M pretty much fights solely for the lust of battle.

** Quick Style is the FragileSpeedster: it sacrifices sheer strength for speed, gives the characters the ability to perform autocombos by pressing one button three times, and allows characters to Evade attacks by pressing forward the moment the attack is about to connect. Overdrives greatly increase the speed of the character while reducing that of the opponent's, allowing for long and painful combos.

** Omnia Style is the JackOfAllStats: an intermediate between Quick and Hard styles, the characters are fairly balanced in attack and speed, they retain their autocombos and the ability to evade, but they can't perform Phantom Breaks or Overdrives. Instead of that, the Burst Gauge reaches 4 levels instead of 2, after which the character can perform a devastating All-Range Attack, first seen in ''Battle Grounds''.

* EyepatchOfPower: M has one on her.

* ImmuneToFlinching: Hard style's Overdrive gives you temporary SuperArmor, among other things.

* LimitBreak: Phantom Breaks can be executed in either Quick or Hard Styles, with 2 bars of the Burst Gauge. Omnia Style has the powerful Range Attack from ''Battle Grounds'', which requires 4 bars.

* SpritePolygonMix: The main game has 2D hand-drawn sprites with 3D scenery.

* SuperMovePortraitAttack: Executing your Phantom Break does this.

* TokenMiniMoe: Fin's easily the youngest and the cutest.

* TotallyRadical: ''Phantom Breaker: Omnia'' received a "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrOnmrpc5lk Spicy Edition]]" update that adds two new gag announcer voice types (Spicy and Extra Spicy) who goes out of his way to tell players how radical the game is during gameplay along while spouting famous internet memes and catchphrases from other popular video games.

* YouKilledMyFather: Ria's motive for joining the tournament is to get revenge on her mother's murderer who was killed in Phantom's tournament.

''Phantom Breaker'' is a 2D {{fighting game}} produced by MAGES. (formally [=5pb.=]) and co-developed by Delta Factory and Release Universal Network, released for UsefulNotes/{{Xbox 360}} and subsequently UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 3}}. The game is a CreatorDrivenSuccessor to the ''VideoGame/Asuka120Percent'' series originally developed by Fill-in-Café. The game's character art was also illustrated by Hiro Suzuhira of ''VisualNovel/YosugaNoSora'' and ''VisualNovel/{{Shuffle}}'' fame, while the music was composed by Takeshi Abo whose previous work includes ''VisualNovel/MemoriesOff'', ''VisualNovel/Never7'', ''VisualNovel/Ever17'', and ''VisualNovel/Remember11''.

The story is set in modern day Japan, where a mysterious man named Phantom has arranged a [[TournamentArc fighting tournament]] in Tokyo, and granting a wish to the winner. Each contestant of the tournament, referred as "Duelists", must wield dimensional-altering weapons known as "F.A.s" (Fu-mension Artifacts) as [[DeadlyGame they must fight to the death]]. Amidst their battles, clashing steel with one another as they shake the fabric of space and time, the Duelists of Phantom's tournament began to wonder: what is it that they desire so much that they would put their very lives on the line, what is Phantom's motive behind arranging a life-or-death tournament in the middle of Tokyo, and who will be the last one standing to see their wish come true?

Gameplay-wise, ''Phantom Breaker'' borrows gameplay elements from its spiritual predecessor, yet emphasizes on utilizing defensive and evasive maneuvers. Each character in the game has two different fighting styles (or three in the updated versions): a Quick style that focuses on mobility and quick attacks for combos, and a Hard style focusing on defense and countering attacks. The game uses three buttons for standard Light, Medium, and Heavy attacks each with simple directional variations and a fourth Special Attack button dedicated for performing special moves or actions. By pressing a combination of two of these attack buttons, players can spend 100% of their Burst Gauge perform an EXSpecialAttack, enter an [[SuperMode Overdrive]] state that can grant the user temporary BulletTime (Quick) or [[ImmuneToFlinching Super Armor]] (Hard) while recovering a portion of their lost health, or perform a devastating [[LimitBreak Phantom Break]] or All-Range Attack (Omnia) against their opponent. Not only attacks can be strung together through [[LagCancel canceling]] one into another to form combos, but other actions such as blocking an opponent's can also be canceled through special maneuvers or attacks as well. As players deal damage and clash their attacks against each other, a Tension Gauge also builds that, once filled, temporarily grants both combatants an attack power boost and a full Burst Gauge charge. Compared to other fighting games of the genre, the game takes an "easy to learn, hard to master" approach that offers a low skill floor for causal players to easily pick up the basics of the game while doing away with complex motion inputs, but it also offers a high skill ceiling for veteran fighting game players with combo potential of varying degrees based on their chosen Style and a risk-and-reward system that encourages players exploit openings in their opponent's attacks to turn the tables on them through evasion, parries, or counterattacks.

The game was originally released exclusively in Japan on June 2, 2011 for the Xbox 360. It was picked up for an English localization by [=7sixty=], a subsidiary of Southpeak Interactive, for an early 2012 release, but after various delays, cancelations, and {{executive meddling}}s, it was quietly canceled and never saw a release anywhere else.[[note]]Except the only times the English version of ''Phantom Breaker'' was seen and/or playable in some way was at Anime Matsuri 2011 in Houston, Texas [[https://www.facebook.com/178760112213329/photos/?tab=album&album_id=267094590046547]], a preview of the game from Website/ScrewAttack, various trailers of the English version over at [=7sixty=]'s [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlTr2MjBdxQ&list=PLAC036FBDABCE3FA0 YouTube channel]], and review copies given out to reviewers. The game is already in a completed and localized in physical form, but was never released due to [=7sixty=] constantly delaying the game's release up until its ultimate cancelation after Southpeak Interactive going under in 2013, which didn't see light of day for the general public save for the lucky few that actually have the game (as two sets of achievement lists for both the Japanese and English versions of the game exists). However, the only official ''Phantom Breaker'' merchandise to ever make it stateside was the English artbook of the game translated by Udon.[[/note]] The game was later ported to arcades in Japan on the Creator/{{Sega}} [=RingEdge=] 2 arcade board as ''Phantom Breaker: Another Code'' on April 4, 2013, with a later v1.1 revision released on June 2013 with gameplay rebalancing and adds a new opening sequence. An UpdatedRerelease titled ''Phantom Breaker: Extra'' has later released on September 2013 in Japan for Xbox 360 and [=PlayStation=] 3, featuring a new "Extra" style, rebalanced gameplay, new playable characters, extra stages, updated graphics, and online multiplayer spectating support. Unlike the original ''Phantom Breaker'', this re-release is also region-free on Xbox 360.

''Phantom Breaker'' is a 2D {{fighting game}} produced by MAGES. (formally [=5pb.=]) and co-developed by Delta Factory and Release Universal Network, released for UsefulNotes/{{Xbox 360}} and subsequently UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 3}}. The game is a CreatorDrivenSuccessor to the ''VideoGame/Asuka120Percent'' series originally developed by Fill-in-Café. The game's character art was also illustrated by Hiro Suzuhira of ''VisualNovel/YosugaNoSora'' and ''VisualNovel/{{Shuffle}}'' fame.

The story is set in modern day Japan, where a mysterious man named Phantom has arranged a [[TournamentArc fighting tournament]] in Tokyo, and granting a wish to the winner. Each contestant of the tournament, referred as "Duelists", must wield dimensional-altering weapons known as "F.A.s" (Fu-mension Artifacts) as [[DeadlyGame they must fight to the death]]. Amidst their battles, clashing steel with one another as they shake the fabric of space and time, the Duelists of the tournament began to wonder: what is it that they desire so much that they would put their very lives on the line, what is Phantom's motive behind arranging a life-or-death tournament in the middle of Tokyo, and who will be the last one standing to see their wish come true?

Gameplay-wise, ''Phantom Breaker'' borrows elements from its spiritual predecessor, yet focuses on parrying and countering attacks while utilizing defensive or evasive maneuvers. Each character in the game has two different fighting styles (or three in the updated versions): a Quick style that focuses on quick attacks for combos, and a Hard style focusing on defense and countering attacks. The game uses three buttons for standard Light, Medium, and Heavy attacks along with a fourth Special Attack button dedicated to perform special moves similarly to the likes of ''Franchise/BlazBlue'', although the special moves execution is simplified to simple forward, back, and crouching motions. By pressing a combination of two of these attack buttons, players can spend a portion of their Burst Gauge perform an EXSpecialAttack, enter an [[SuperMode Overdrive]] state that can grant the user temporary BulletTime (Quick) or [[ImmuneToFlinching Super Armor]] (Hard), or perform a devastating [[LimitBreak Phantom Break]] or All-Range Attack (Omnia) against their opponent. As players deal damage and clash their attacks against each other, a Tension Gauge builds that grants both combatants a full Burst Gauge charge and a temporary attack power boost.

The game was originally released in Japan on June 2, 2011 for Xbox 360. It was picked up for an English localization by [=7sixty=], a subsidiary of Southpeak Interactive, for an early 2012 release, but was quietly canceled and never saw a release anywhere else.[[note]]Except the only times the English version of ''Phantom Breaker'' was seen and/or playable in some way was at Anime Matsuri 2011 in Houston, Texas [[https://www.facebook.com/178760112213329/photos/?tab=album&album_id=267094590046547]], a preview of the game from Website/ScrewAttack, various trailers of the English version over at [=7sixty=]'s [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlTr2MjBdxQ&list=PLAC036FBDABCE3FA0 YouTube channel]], and review copies given out to reviewers. The game is already in a completed and localized in physical form, but was never released due to [=7sixty=] constantly delaying the game's release (and was most likely why [=7sixty=] folded not long after the game's cancellation), which didn't see light of day for the general public save for the lucky few that actually have the game (as two sets of achievement lists for both the Japanese and English versions of the game exists). However, the only official ''Phantom Breaker'' merchandise to ever make it stateside was the English artbook of the game translated by Udon.[[/note]] The game was later ported to arcades in Japan on the Creator/{{Sega}} [=RingEdge=] 2 arcade board as ''Phantom Breaker: Another Code'' on April 4, 2013, with a later v1.1 revision released on June 2013 that {{promote|dToPlayable}}s [[TheDragon Infinity]] to playable status, gameplay rebalancing, and adds a new opening sequence. An UpdatedRerelease titled ''Phantom Breaker: Extra'' has later released on September 2013 in Japan for Xbox 360 and [=PlayStation=] 3, featuring a new "Extra" style, rebalanced gameplay, new playable characters, extra stages, updated graphics, and online multiplayer spectating support. Unlike the original ''Phantom Breaker'', this re-release is also region-free on Xbox 360.

While the original ''Phantom Breaker''[='=]s English localization plans fell through, a [[SuperDeformed cutesy]] [[{{Retraux}} retro-styled]] [[BeatEmUp beat 'em up]] {{spin|Off}}-off developed by [=Division2=], titled ''Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds'', was released on February 27, 2013 on UsefulNotes/XboxLiveArcade to tie potential fans over. It stars [[ElegantGothicLolita Mikoto]], [[{{Miko}} Waka]], [[NinjaMaid Itsuki]], and [[HighlyVisibleNinja Yuzuha]] as the main characters while other characters such [[CosplayOtakuGirl Cocoa]] and Infinity are reserved for the Arcade, Co-op, and Battlegrounds versus modes. There's also a [[DownloadableContent DLC]] that adds [[VisualNovel/SteinsGate Kurisu Makise]] as a playable character (except for Story Mode), a bump in the characters' level cap from Level 50 to 99, and extra Achievements for $5. An updated version of the game was ported to the UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation Vita}} and later UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 4}}, with customizable controls and adds Nagi, Waka's kidnapped younger sister, to the playable roster. It was later ported to PC via UsefulNotes/{{Steam}} on January 23, 2015; later, on November 17, 2016, a second [=DLC=] added [[VisualNovel/RoboticsNotes Frau Koujiro]] as a playable character, which can be selected in all modes, and adds new achievements; it is also available on Creator/HumbleBundle. A port of ''Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Overdrive'' was later released for the UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch on December 7, 2017, which also bundled all of the previously released [=DLCs=] to make up for the initial lack of online multiplayer features prior to the launch of the Nintendo Switch Online service. ''Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds'' also received a spiritual successor of its own in the form of ''Ogre Tale'' released on PC via Steam in 2020.

* TwoAndAHalfD: The game uses 2D anime sprites with 3D rendered background and effects.

* AbsurdlyHighLevelCap: Under normal circumstances, the level cap is 50, however, it can be raised to 99 by purchasing either Kurisu's. or Frau's DLC. However, your characters will be around level 60, or 70 when you beat the game in Nightmare difficulty.

* {{Retraux}}: The art of the game was done in 8-bit style of the old days of gaming à la ''[[VideoGame/ScottPilgrim Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game]]'', complemented with 8-bit styled music and arrangements of ''Phantom Breaker''[='=]s soundtrack.

* UpdatedRerelease: ''Battle Grounds'' was also re-released on the [=PlayStation=] Vita, [=PlayStation=] 4 and Nintendo Switch with updated visuals, customizable controls, additional contents in the Overdrive version ([=PS4=]/Switch) and promotes Waka's sister Nagi to playable status. The Switch version also bundles all of the game's [=DLCs=] as well but sacrifices the branching paths from the [=PlayStation=] 4 and online-related content such as the online multiplayer and Arcade Mode up until it was patched in later.

[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/phantom_breaker_7381.jpg]]
->''One question: How far would you go to grant one wish?''
-->--The game's {{tagline}}

''Phantom Breaker'' is 2D {{fighting game}} produced by MAGES. (formally [=5pb.=]) and co-developed by Delta Factory and Release Universal Network, released for UsefulNotes/{{Xbox 360}} and subsequently UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 3}}. The game is a CreatorDrivenSuccessor to the ''VideoGame/Asuka120Percent'' series originally developed by Fill-in-Café. The game's character art was also illustrated by Hiro Suzuhira of ''VisualNovel/YosugaNoSora'' and ''VisualNovel/{{Shuffle}}'' fame.

The story is set in modern day Japan, where a mysterious man named Phantom has arranged a [[TournamentArc fighting tournament]] in Tokyo, and granting a wish to the winner. Each contestant of the tournament, referred as "Duelists", must wield mystical weapons known as "F.A.s" (Fu-mension Artifacts) as [[DeadlyGame they must fight to the death]]. Amidst their battles, clashing steel with one another as they shake the fabric of space and time, the Duelists of the tournament began to wonder: what is it that they desire so much that they would put their very lives on the line, what is Phantom's motive behind arranging a life-or-death tournament in the middle of Tokyo, and who will be the last one standing to see their wish come true?

Gameplay-wise, ''Phantom Breaker'' borrows elements from its spiritual predecessor, yet focuses on parrying and countering attacks while utilizing defensive or evasive maneuvers. Each character in the game has two different fighting styles (or three in the updated versions): a Quick style that focuses on quick attacks for combos, and a Hard style focusing on defense and countering attacks. The game uses three buttons for standard Light, Medium, and Heavy attacks along with a fourth Special Attack button dedicated to perform special moves similarly to the likes of ''Franchise/BlazBlue'', although the special moves execution is simplified to simple forward, back, and crouching motions. By pressing a combination of two of these attack buttons, players can spend a portion of their Burst Gauge perform an EXSpecialAttack, enter an [[SuperMode Overdrive]] state that can grant the user temporary BulletTime (Quick) or [[ImmuneToFlinching Super Armor]] (Hard), or perform a devastating [[LimitBreak Phantom Break]] or All-Range Attack (Omnia) against their opponent.

While the original ''Phantom Breaker''[='=]s English localization plans fell through, a [[SuperDeformed cutesy]] [[{{Retraux}} retro-styled]] [[BeatEmUp beat 'em up]] {{spin|Off}}-off developed by [=Division2=], titled ''Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds'', was released on February 27, 2013 on UsefulNotes/XboxLiveArcade to tie potential fans over. It stars [[ElegantGothicLolita Mikoto]], [[{{Miko}} Waka]], [[NinjaMaid Itsuki]], and [[HighlyVisibleNinja Yuzuha]] as the main characters while other characters such [[CosplayOtakuGirl Cocoa]] and Infinity are reserved for the Arcade, Co-op, and Battlegrounds versus modes. There's also a [[DownloadableContent DLC]] that adds [[VisualNovel/SteinsGate Kurisu Makise]] as a playable character (except for Story Mode), a bump in the characters' level cap from Level 50 to 99, and extra Achievements for $5. An updated version of the game was ported to the UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation Vita}} and later UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 4}}, with customizable controls and adds Nagi, Waka's kidnapped younger sister, to the playable roster. It was later ported to PC via UsefulNotes/{{Steam}} on January 23, 2015; later, on November 17, 2016, a second [=DLC=] added [[VisualNovel/RoboticsNotes Frau Koujiro]] as a playable character, which can be selected in all modes, and adds new achievements; it is also available on the [[Creator/HumbleBundle Humble Store]]. A port of ''Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Overdrive'' was later released for the UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch on December 7, 2017, which also bundled all of the previously released [=DLCs=] to make up for the initial lack of online multiplayer features prior to the launch of the Nintendo Switch Online service. ''Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds'' also received a spiritual successor of its own in the form of ''Ogre Tale'' released on PC via Steam in 2020.

* YouKilledMyFather: Ria's motive for joining the tournament is to get revenge on her mother's murderer.

* UpdatedRerelease: ''Battle Grounds'' was also re-released on the [=PlayStation=] Vita, [=PlayStation=] 4 and Nintendo Switch with updated visuals, customizable controls, additional contents in the Overdrive version ([=PS4=]/Switch) and promotes Waka's sister Nagi to playable status. The Switch version also bundles all of the game's [=DLCs=] as well but sacrifices the branching paths from the [=PlayStation=] 4 and online-related content such as the online multiplayer and Arcade Mode being patched in later.