With it being labeled a "Remaster" of the original Phantom Breaker Battlegrounds, I was very excited to think that it would play just like the original with some added features.
Although there are features such like playing as enemy NPCs; the game still chose to keep some gimmicks and mechanics from the Phantom Breaker: Overdrive version of the game, which I myself was not too fond of.
The game is fun if you are looking to play with friends in story or arcade mode, but after all is done and leveled up; playing Battle Grounds mode is the end-game entertainment, or would have been if the mechanics can be adjusted to have more traditional fighting game fundamentals. Making Battlegrounds mode more balanced can ensure that players continue playing the game even after story mode is finished, otherwise, there is not much replay ability.

-Some characters have major priority with certain attacks when clashed with an enemy's attack when they shouldn't. Normally, either both players will get hit and knocked back, or the more logical attack that has consecutive hits would strike after the clash and win priority.
-Some character's grab range surprisingly reaches out further than others despite them both being close-range fighters.
-Recovery, Emergency Mode, Block Canceling(forward-step and back-step), and wake-up does not give you a long enough Invulnerability or give you positive frames to fight back or escape.
-Air recovery takes too long to recover compared to it's original, which can leave players stuck in an infinite air combo.
-Neutral Auto Air Block does not block all the time. When jumping in the air and not performing any directions or buttons, characters are supposed to air block. Occasionally an enemy's attack will still land.
-Special attacks on some characters can't be punished if they are blocked or missed/dodged. Normally, if an attack is blocked or missed. These should leave the attacker open for a counter by the enemy, but instead allows the attacker to perform more attacks freely.

I understand that not everything can be adjusted or fixed, but if an effort can be made to create a more balanced and complete versus mode experience; I would be very pleased and continue supporting the series, and change my review.
This game series is special to both myself and many others who grew up with the game.

I plan to update my review if the game sees some improvements. Thank you none the less Rocket Panda for taking up Phantom Breaker and keeping it alive for the time being. I hope there will be improvements in the future.

This is my favorite beat-em-up. The biggest 2 draws for me are:

1. Lanes. My biggest struggle with most beat-em-ups is lining up my character so my hits actually connect to the enemy. This game has just 2 lanes to jump between that eliminates almost all of that headache. (I say almost because it's not always 100% clear which lane the enemy is in)

2. Fighting-game style combos. Doing a 9 hit combo canceled into a super, and canceling that into an EX super just feels so good.