2022 is the year of the fighting game community and with so many exciting titles to play it can be difficult to pick just one. If you’re like me then you probably just play every game you can get your hands on, but for those with a more discerning palette, I am charged with giving you all the facts to aid in your quest for fighting game glory.
Phantom Breaker Omnia has a robust starting roster and most people will find a character that fits their playstyle. Ria was the first character I picked mainly because I’m a sucker for any character with dual blades and she just looks so cool. The purple hair also pulled me in, but luckily there are more than a few colors to pick from when choosing one’s character. Also of note are the 3 fighting styles each with their own pros and cons. If this sounds a bit overwhelming the good news is that the execution barrier is low for most special moves and supers only requiring a combination of a direction and a button or two. That is not to say that Phantom Breaker Omnia is a simple game, it is easy to pick up but will take many hours to master due to the intricacies of the battle engine. For example, when using quick style or omnia style there is a dodge mechanic that can be employed by pressing toward an opponent at the moment the attack should make contact with you, but the same input has a different result when using hardstyle. For those familiar with SF III’s parry mechanic this has a similar utility.
Story mode is intense and while not all storylines are as intriguing as others, many are compelling and made me want to keep fighting to see what would happen next. The text is accompanied by a talented voice acting cast that makes each persona feel different and alive somehow. For those looking for PVP, there is online available and I recommend a solid internet connection for the best experience as this game does have delay-based netcode. The fights that I got were pretty fun and I even managed to get some cool clips for my Twitter feed. The combat is fast and furious and requires quick reactions in order to keep from being overwhelmed by the flurry of attacks that most mashers will throw out constantly. The power-up mode for hardstyle is useful for these types of opponents as it essentially offers unlimited armor at the cost of some meter. For the unindoctrinated, this will bring their assault to a grinding halt unless they are aware and alter their strategy. Fighting games have always been a battle of wits and knowledge checks, and while they certainly can be played for fun, at the highest level they require diligent practice and studying of characters and system mechanics. The training mode is sufficient for such purposes, although I would have liked to see a combo trial mode or something else that explained the main combos for each character.
If you’re looking for fast-paced anime-style fighting with some unique combat options, then Phantom Breaker: Omnia is definitely the game for you. The gameplay is solid, the soundtrack is really good (there is even a lo-fi remix soundtrack on youtube from the developer!), and I had no issues finding opponents to tangle with in ranked mode for those looking for a challenge. Crossplay is available between PS4 & PS5 but unfortunately, Steam is once again left out in the cold. I would like to see more games allow for proper cross-platform play so that great games like this can continue to see success over longer periods of time. If you’re still on the fence about the game you can stop by my Twitch channel and see some VOD’s or even catch a Livestream and ask any questions you may have about the game! Rocket Panda Games made something really cool here and with cameo appearances from popular anime like Steins; Gate, it will be making a big splash.
