Get ready to dive into the world of Phantom Blade Zero, where excitement and challenge await. Scheduled for release in 2025, this game is shaping up to be a thrilling experience with a variety of gameplay features and adjustable difficulty settings. Here's what you need to know about the latest developments and what to expect from Phantom Blade Zero.
Phantom Blade Zero Development Updates
Phantom Blade Zero Not A Soulslike, Features Four Difficulty Options
Phantom Blade Zero is set to offer four distinct difficulty levels: easy, ordinary, difficult, and extremely difficult. This feature distinguishes it from the Soulslike genre, which is known for its unrelenting challenge and lack of adjustable difficulty. After its reveal at the PlayStation Showcase 2023, fans drew parallels to Soulslike games due to its aesthetic and combat style. However, Game Director Soulframe has been quick to clarify via an official tweet post-Summer Game Fest 2024 that Phantom Blade Zero is not aiming to be another Soulslike. Instead, the focus is on "combo-driven, heart-pumping combat that is hectic, rewarding, and exhilarating."
While the game does take inspiration from Soulslike titles with its multi-layered maps, varied approach paths, and hidden areas, Soulframe emphasizes that "the similarities stop there." He described the game as "Ninja Gaiden Combat on a Souls Game Map," blending hack-and-slash action with extensive exploration.
Gameplay Features With Over 30+ Weapons, 20-30 Hours of Playthrough, And More
Recent interviews have shed light on the expansive gameplay features of Phantom Blade Zero. Players will have an arsenal of over 30 primary weapons and 20 secondary weapons, each offering unique gameplay mechanics and combat effects. The main story is expected to take around 20-30 hours to complete, with an additional 20-30 hours of side content to explore.
Boss encounters in Phantom Blade Zero will feature at least two phases. If a player falls during the second phase, they can restart from that point without needing to redo the first phase. A new game mode named "Li Wulin" allows players to rematch previously defeated bosses, unlocking new hidden challenges. Additionally, there's a mechanic that influences the game's ending, though details on how it works and the number of possible endings remain under wraps.
Phantom Blade Zero Year Of The Snake Gameplay Trailer
The "Year of the Snake Gameplay Trailer" showcases the main protagonist, Soul, in a battle against the "Chief Disciple of The Seven Stars." Following the fight, the trailer highlights some of the weapons Soul can use, including the "Weapon No.13 Soft Snake Sword" and "Weapon No.27 White Serpent and Crimson Viper."
The trailer also hints that the release date for Phantom Blade Zero will be announced in 2025. In a related video posted on the game's official Twitter (X) page celebrating the Lunar New Year, Soulframe teased that the team has more exciting announcements planned for later in the year, promising to reveal something unprecedented for fans.
Phantom Blade Zero is currently in development for PlayStation 5 and is also planned for release on PC. Stay tuned to our Phantom Blade Zero page for the latest updates and more information as the release date approaches.
