Epic Battle Fantasy 5

About

"Epic Battle Fantasy 5" is a turn-based RPG adventure with over-the-top humor, strategic combat, and anime fanservice. The game offers 200+ enemies, 120 usable skills, and the ability to capture and summon monsters, even bosses. New mechanics include weather conditions and a cooldown system, allowing for devastating combo attacks. This installment is a great starting point for newcomers and has new features for series veterans.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

99%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,790 reviews

story170 positive mentions

grinding62 negative mentions

Epic Battle Fantasy 5 is a fantastic RPG that combines humor, engaging combat, and a charming art style, making it a must-play for fans of turn-based games.
The game features a deep and strategic battle system with a cooldown mechanic instead of MP, allowing for more varied and tactical gameplay.
With a wealth of content, including numerous side quests, collectibles, and a robust customization system, players can enjoy hours of exploration and challenge.

Some players may find the humor and dialogue to be dated or overly crude, which could detract from the overall experience.
The capture mechanic for enemies can be tedious, requiring players to weaken foes and apply debuffs to successfully capture them, which may frustrate completionists.
The game can experience performance issues on lower-end PCs, leading to lag during battles, especially when many animations are occurring simultaneously.

story
476 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
62%
2%
The story in "Epic Battle Fantasy 5" is characterized by its humorous and lighthearted tone, often breaking the fourth wall and filled with references and jokes that appeal to both new and returning players. While some reviewers found the narrative to be simple or lacking depth compared to previous entries, many appreciated the character interactions and comedic elements that kept the gameplay engaging. Overall, the story serves as a fun backdrop to the game's strategic combat, making it enjoyable despite not being the primary focus.
- “The story boldly breaks the fourth wall, packed with countless references and easter eggs that add charm.”
- “The story is simple but entertaining, the gameplay allows for so much strategy, the art style is very charming and it has one of my favorite OSTs of all time.”
- “The story is funny, the combat is great, and the difficulty curve makes it challenging if you're into that.”
- “But, after getting 100% of the achievements in this game and opened a secret room that required all achievements to be completed, the room and the afterword/story felt a bit anti-climactic.”
- “The story flows nicely despite lacking any real depth, and the game's writing highlights that throughout the playthrough.”
- “The story is passable but halfway through the game, I stopped reading it since it just became jokes and memes.”
gameplay
470 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
54%
1%
The gameplay of *Epic Battle Fantasy 5* is widely praised for its depth and strategic complexity, featuring a turn-based system that replaces traditional mana with a cooldown mechanic, encouraging players to think critically about their actions. The introduction of a monster capture system adds a unique twist, allowing for diverse combat strategies and enhancing replayability. Overall, players appreciate the polished mechanics, engaging character interactions, and the balance between accessibility for newcomers and challenge for veterans, making it a standout entry in the RPG genre.
- “The gameplay is extremely player-friendly while still offering deep exploration and engaging mechanics.”
- “The mechanics of games like early Final Fantasy, Pokémon, Dragon Quest, and Persona have been combined and honed to a razor's edge.”
- “The gameplay is just polished to the extreme, and the entire gameplay loop flows smoothly into itself.”
- “The battles get a bit stale towards the end, which the developer tried to balance out by using multiple enemies with unique mechanics, but that just wasn't enough for me to not feel tired after a slow, methodical fight through the waves.”
- “The capture mechanic took a bit of getting used to and sometimes was mildly frustrating, made a few playstyles a little less viable and at some point it feels like progression mechanics are just thrown at you, but the amount of effort put into the game is great and the result is a game that matches and breaks the ceiling placed by the prior games.”
humor
362 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in "Epic Battle Fantasy 5" is a standout feature, characterized by its lighthearted, irreverent tone and a blend of nostalgic references to early 2000s internet culture. While some jokes may feel dated or hit-or-miss, the witty dialogue, self-referential humor, and playful character interactions consistently elicit laughter, making it a charming experience for fans of turn-based RPGs. Overall, the game successfully balances comedic elements with engaging gameplay, appealing to those who appreciate quirky humor and clever writing.
- “It's a very lighthearted turn-based RPG that doesn't take itself seriously at all, with writing that is both satirical and funny.”
- “The game constantly breaks the fourth wall, delivering witty dialogue and self-referential humor that adds layers to the storytelling.”
- “The humor is great, the plot is completely insane, and the characters all make you love them by the end.”
music
358 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
38%
1%
The music in "Epic Battle Fantasy V" has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising the outstanding soundtrack composed by Phyrnna, which blends various genres and evokes strong emotions. Players appreciate the catchy and memorable tracks that enhance the game's atmosphere, making battles and exploration more engaging. While some critiques mention occasional looping issues or a preference for previous installments' music, the overall consensus is that the soundtrack is a highlight of the game, contributing significantly to its charm and enjoyment.
- “The music is outstanding, Phyrnna truly outdid herself, with every single track being memorable, capturing every emotion from nostalgia to fear to sadness to peace.”
- “The soundtrack is a wonderful work made by Phyrnna, impressing everyone as always!”
- “The music perfectly sets the mood for each area and battle, and I found myself humming along to the catchy tunes long after playing.”
- “The music is worse in this game.”
- “There's a music track that plays in some battles (mostly the first few, though it plays quite often from then on through the grassy plains area) that is truly awful, with ear-splitting bass that's way too loud.”
- “While this game looks and plays like a natural evolution of the series, its music took a huge leap backward with no memorable music and the fact that the theme of the final boss is recycled, which is completely outrageous in my opinion.”
graphics
170 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
52%
2%
The graphics of the game have received a largely positive reception, with many players praising the charming art style, detailed character designs, and vibrant animations that enhance the overall experience. While some reviews note that the graphics are reminiscent of Flash games and may not be cutting-edge, they are described as visually appealing and fitting for the game's lighthearted tone. Overall, the combination of cute visuals, engaging gameplay, and a well-crafted soundtrack contributes to a delightful aesthetic that resonates with fans of the genre.
- “The hand-drawn art style is incredibly detailed, and each area in the game feels unique and full of life.”
- “The graphics are phenomenal, everything just comes to life on your screen.”
- “The art style is amazing as are the variety of outstanding animations.”
- “Graphics - not great.”
- “The flash graphics are probably a bit of a turn off for some of you, but I mean, I dunno, I love the art style myself.”
- “My computer is very strong, but the game lags when on max graphics.”
grinding
71 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
6%
87%
Overall, reviews indicate a mixed perception of grinding in the game. While many players appreciate the lack of mandatory grinding and the strategic gameplay that allows for skill-based progression, some find certain optional content and side quests to be grindy or tedious. The game is generally praised for its balance, with enemy scaling and thoughtful design minimizing the need for excessive grinding, making it accessible for both casual players and completionists.
- “Charming art style and characters, fun and strategic gameplay, and not grindy!”
- “The game itself is not grindy, at least not that much.”
- “Fair asking price, no grindy b******t, a good sense of humor, a great soundtrack and most importantly simple, satisfying gameplay.”
- “On top of the cooldown system feeling like a step backwards from the earlier games that run on MP, this just makes for a miserable, tedious experience where every step of your adventure needs to be meticulously planned out if you want to access everything you can before NG+.”
- “The only critique I would have is that it got a bit tedious to explore every nook and cranny by the end, especially when all your good skills were maxed out, as mob encounters stopped being rewarding and started feeling like a chore.”
- “It's been so long since I've played EBF4, so I can't compare much, but I find myself grinding more and more.”
replayability
43 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
46%
7%
The game boasts exceptional replayability, with numerous customization options, varied gameplay mechanics, and a wealth of content that encourages multiple playthroughs. Players can alter enemy behaviors, explore hidden treasures, and engage in challenging modes, making each run feel fresh and rewarding. Overall, the combination of strategic depth, humor, and extensive replay options solidifies its status as a highly replayable title.
- “An incredible turn-based RPG with great combat, a world that's interesting and fun to explore, is filled with a great amount of equally great content, and has tons of replay value.”
- “Add in the easter egg/hidden treasure hunting and the elements of exploration, puzzle-solving, the challenge options and the remix modes, even the base game has nearly unlimited replayability.”
- “It's absurd the amount of content this game has, and I'm not talking only about replayability, I'm talking about pure content (areas, monsters, equipment, and so on).”
- “Which seems to rob a lot of the content and replayability.”
- “---zero replayability.”
- “Replayability guaranteed, because it's a completionist's nightmare fuel.”
emotional
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its nostalgic and heartwarming storytelling, which resonates deeply with players, especially those who grew up with the series. Many reviews mention the game's ability to evoke strong feelings through its charming characters, touching moments, and impactful music, creating a sense of attachment and joy. The blend of humor, real-world themes, and emotional challenges contributes to a rich, immersive experience that leaves players feeling connected and moved.
- “But most of all, the story, while simple and goofy, feels very wholesome, especially for us who grew up with the series.”
- “My favorites being divine madness, organ jaws, chase, under my skin, and obviously, a breeze from home with troisnyx. When I first heard it during a very, very special battle, it made me cry tears of joy and nostalgia.”
- “I also found that part near the end where the people you did quests for come to help and encourage the party very heartwarming. The last phase of the final boss fight, where the devourer deletes the world, becomes an epic race against time that was really enjoyable.”
optimization
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
46%
23%
Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players noting performance issues, particularly due to its Flash engine, which can lead to lag and slowdowns, especially on higher settings. While some improvements have been made compared to previous installments, such as better performance in ebf5 compared to ebf4, players still desire further optimization to enhance the experience. Despite these concerns, the gameplay remains enjoyable, and many users express fondness for the game despite its technical shortcomings.
- “When the biggest problem I have with the game is its engine (Flash, which *is* a problem due to its performance, not its functionality), you know you've got something worthwhile.”
- “The performance of EBF5 is leagues better than 4 for me, even when running on 'high' anti-aliasing at 800p window size, rarely dipping into 'running noticeably slow' territory.”
- “Gameplay has been optimized in such a way that you can have your kids breeze through the game in under ten hours on the lowest difficulty, or spend 70 or more hours completing every achievement and medal on epic difficulty.”
- “The only complaint I have is that sometimes the game can feel unoptimized on max settings.”
- “Edit: how could I forget the performance disaster of EBF4 and not consider it when playing this?”
- “On the other hand, the performance is suboptimal and some areas can get repetitive after a while.”
atmosphere
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
23%
33%
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by a blend of humor and engaging art style, complemented by a diverse soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. While it offers a fun and lighthearted vibe, some players feel that it doesn't quite reach the atmospheric heights of its predecessors, particularly during key moments like the final boss fight. Overall, the game successfully creates an enjoyable atmosphere, though it may lack depth in storytelling.
- “Old school turn-based RPG with enough fresh modern updates to make it interesting, and a good sense of humor that keeps the atmosphere fun!”
- “The art style fits really well with the music and the overall atmosphere.”
- “It's a game that doesn't take itself seriously, and that lends well to the atmosphere it tries to promote.”
- “Overall, fantastic gameplay, which is the main aspect of a game, but the story and atmosphere lack.”
- “Especially the final boss fight, EBF 3 and 4 outclass the atmosphere of the final boss of EBF 5.”
- “The music consistently adds to the atmosphere, switching between generic JRPG songs, some techno beats, and even just atmospheric sounds in a couple of parts.”
character development
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
12%
38%
Character development in the game is praised for its natural progression and meaningful interactions, with significant moments occurring during combat and in optional dungeons. Reviewers highlight the depth of character design and dialogue, noting that the humor and emotional growth contribute to a rich narrative experience. While some character arcs are primarily explored towards the end, the overall development is seen as a testament to the developer's growth and dedication to refining the game's elements.
- “I love the aspect that I can upgrade the characters to my personal playstyle and the characters themselves have such great character development and dialogue.”
- “My only gripe with them is that most of the character development happens in the optional dungeons and the end of the game, but the character interactions (even if it's scattered between a lot of one-off quips and characters describing their surroundings) are absolute gold.”
- “The character development feels natural, and the progression along the storyline feels sensible.”
- “Combine with the classic return of humor, Matt's signature style, and even small character development moments that occur during combat and contribute to different endings, and the game shines as the peak of Matt's work so far, and a symbol of how far he's come as a game dev.”
monetization
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
28%
43%
Overall, the monetization aspect of the game is viewed positively, with some users appreciating the absence of oppressive microtransactions, while others note that optional purchases can enhance gameplay. However, there are mixed feelings, as some players feel that microtransactions are necessary for enjoyment, potentially diminishing the overall experience.
- “No microtransactions.”
- “The mobile publication makes it one of the few great mobile games that aren't cash grabs filled with gambling!”
- “Microtransactions make the game easier.”
- “Microtransactions.”
stability
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
71%
Overall, players report mixed stability experiences, noting some glitches, particularly in fullscreen mode, which can affect gameplay, such as losing summons. However, many express confidence in the developer's commitment to addressing these issues, with some even describing the game as "bug free" aside from the fullscreen problems. Despite minor stability concerns, the game's content and charm are well-received.
- “I dare say that this game is bug free.”
- “The game is bug free.”
- “A few glitches had me lose some of my summons (such as pink slime) after reaching pixel-world and capturing a few.”
- “Aside from being a great big love letter to a lot of things that more or less add up to my childhood, it's a fun JRPG with a huge amount of content, and the dev is a really nice guy who's going above and beyond in terms of bug support and troubleshooting.”
- “Yes, the fullscreen at the time that I'm writing this is a bit buggy, and yes the framerate I'm getting is lower than the previous games (I own all of the ones on Steam and they run perfectly fine), but I'm sure it will get fixed, so that's not something to really worry about.”

Buy Epic Battle Fantasy 5

75h Median play time

91h Average play time

30-151h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 15 analyzed playthroughs

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