Get ready for Phantom Blade Zero, boasting four difficulty levels and exciting gameplay features! This 2025 release promises a thrilling experience. Read on for the latest development updates.
Phantom Blade Zero Development: Debunking the Soulslike Label
Contrary to initial Soulslike comparisons stemming from its visuals and combat, Phantom Blade Zero offers four distinct difficulty settings: Easy, Ordinary, Difficult, and Extremely Difficult. This directly contradicts the notoriously unforgiving nature of Soulslike titles.
Game Director Soulframe clarified on Twitter (following its Summer Game Fest 2024 showcase) that the game was never intended as a Soulslike clone. The goal is "combo-driven, heart-pumping combat that is hectic, rewarding, and exhilarating." While the dark atmosphere and challenging boss encounters drew comparisons, Soulframe confirmed inspiration from Soulslike games in terms of level design (multi-layered maps, diverse paths, hidden areas), but emphasized that the similarities end there. He previously described the gameplay as "Ninja Gaiden Combat on a Souls Game Map," blending fast-paced action with extensive exploration.
Gameplay Details: Extensive Weapon Selection, Lengthy Playtime, and More
Recent interviews revealed further details: players will choose from over 30 primary and 20 secondary weapons, each with unique combat properties. Expect a 20-30 hour main story campaign, complemented by another 20-30 hours of side content.
Boss fights feature at least two phases, with a convenient restart option from the second phase after death. A "Li Wulin" mode allows players to rematch defeated bosses, potentially unlocking hidden encounters. A game mechanic influencing the ending is also teased, though specifics remain undisclosed.
Phantom Blade Zero "Year of the Snake" Gameplay Trailer
The recently released "Year of the Snake" trailer showcases Soul, the protagonist, battling the "Chief Disciple of The Seven Stars." The trailer also highlights weapons like the "Weapon No.13 Soft Snake Sword" and "Weapon No.27 White Serpent and Crimson Viper." A 2025 release is hinted at. Soulframe's Lunar New Year message promises further exciting announcements and previously unseen content.
Phantom Blade Zero is currently in development for PlayStation 5, with a PC release planned. The official release date remains unannounced. Stay tuned to our Phantom Blade Zero page for the latest updates.
