Vantage Master

Vantage Master is a turn-based strategy game by Nihon Falcom. Players control a summoner character, called a Master, and summon elemental creatures, known as Natials, to do battle. The object of the game is to knock out the opposing Master. There are 24 Natials, divided into 4 elements: Heavens, Fire, Water, and Earth, each having the advantage over another element. Players must use the terrain to their advantage, whether it be standing behind shrubbery to slow enemy attacks, commandeering restorative magic stones scattered throughout the map, utilizing high ground to boost the range of archery, or summoning water Natials in the water to boost their movement. Vantage Master also uses a hexagonal grid system, allowing control of unit facing, and creating the ability to cause extra damage through rear and flank attacks.

There are two versions of Vantage Master: V1 and V2. V1 is the initial release of the game, which has been re-released as Vantage Master Portable for the PSP, with updated graphics. Vantage Master V2 features tweaked stats across most Natials and Masters, redone maps for every stage in the game, and an online mode. Vantage Master V2 was translated to English and released for free in 2002, and can be downloaded from the Falcom website.