Phantom Blade Zero: Enhanced Gameplay in 20-30 Hour Adventure

Phantom Blade Zero: 20-30 Hour Playtime, Adjustable Difficulty, and More

Recent updates on Phantom Blade Zero reveal a compelling action RPG experience with a focus on dynamic combat and extensive content. The game will offer four difficulty settings – Easy, Ordinary, Difficult, and Extremely Difficult – dispelling comparisons to Soulslike titles, despite its visually striking dark fantasy aesthetic.

Debunking the Soulslike Label:

Game Director Soulframe clarified that Phantom Blade Zero isn't a Soulslike game, emphasizing its design philosophy: "combo-driven, heart-pumping combat that is hectic, rewarding, and exhilarating." While the game draws inspiration from Soulslike titles in its level design – featuring multi-layered maps and hidden areas – the core gameplay is distinctly different. Soulframe described it as "Ninja Gaiden Combat on a Souls Game Map," blending intense hack-and-slash action with exploration.

Extensive Gameplay and Content:

Players can expect a substantial amount of content. Over 30 primary weapons and 20 secondary weapons await, each with unique combat properties. The main storyline is estimated to take 20-30 hours to complete, with an additional 20-30 hours of side content. Boss battles feature at least two phases, allowing players to restart from the second phase after a death. A "Li Wulin" mode lets players rematch defeated bosses, potentially unlocking hidden encounters. A currently undisclosed mechanic is said to influence the game's ending, hinting at multiple possible outcomes.

Year of the Snake Gameplay Trailer:

The recently released "Year of the Snake Gameplay 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." While a release date hasn't been confirmed, the trailer suggests an announcement is coming in 2025. Further announcements are promised by Soulframe and the development team.

Phantom Blade Zero is currently under development for PlayStation 5, with a PC release also planned. Stay tuned for further updates!