Phantom Blade Zero is shaping up to be an exciting action RPG, with new details emerging about its gameplay and features. Expect a thrilling experience with adjustable difficulty and a substantial amount of content. Read on to learn more about the game's development and what awaits players in 2025.
Phantom Blade Zero Development Updates
More Than Just a Soulslike: Four Difficulty Options and a Unique Combat System
Phantom Blade Zero will offer four difficulty levels: Easy, Ordinary, Difficult, and Extremely Difficult. While its aesthetic and combat initially drew comparisons to Soulslike games, the inclusion of varied difficulty settings sets it apart. Game Director Soulframe clarified on Twitter following Summer Game Fest 2024 that the game wasn't designed to be a Soulslike, emphasizing its focus on "combo-driven, heart-pumping combat that is hectic, rewarding, and exhilarating."
The game's dark world and challenging boss fights certainly share some DNA with the Soulslike genre. Soulframe acknowledged inspiration from these titles in the design of multi-layered maps and multiple approach paths, but he emphasizes that the similarities end there. He previously described the gameplay as "Ninja Gaiden Combat on a Souls Game Map," blending intense hack-and-slash action with expansive exploration.
Extensive Gameplay: Weapons, Playtime, and More
Recent interviews have revealed further details about Phantom Blade Zero's gameplay. Players can choose from over 30 primary weapons and 20 secondary weapons, each with unique combat properties. The main story is estimated to take 20-30 hours to complete, with an additional 20-30 hours of side content.
Boss fights will feature at least two phases, and players who die during the second phase can restart from that point, eliminating the need to repeat the first. A new game mode, "Li Wulin," allows players to rematch defeated bosses, potentially unlocking hidden encounters. A mechanic influencing the game's ending has also been mentioned, though specifics remain undisclosed.
Phantom Blade Zero "Year of the Snake" Gameplay Trailer
The "Year of the Snake" gameplay trailer showcases Soul, the protagonist, battling "Chief Disciple of The Seven Stars." The trailer also highlights several weapons, including "Weapon No.13 Soft Snake Sword" and "Weapon No.27 White Serpent and Crimson Viper."
While a release date hasn't been set, the trailer suggests an announcement is coming in 2025. The official Phantom Blade Zero Twitter (X) page also shared a Lunar New Year video where Soulframe hinted at more exciting announcements and reveals later in the year.
Phantom Blade Zero is currently in development for PlayStation 5, with a PC release also planned. Stay tuned to our Phantom Blade Zero page for the latest updates.
