Phantom Blade Zer Like Resident Evil With Blades Rather Than A Souls-Like

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Summary

  • Phantom Blade Zero channels pre-Elden Ring level designs & combines elements from 3 games.
  • The game showcases Devil May Cry combat & Resident Evil atmosphere.
  • The unique gameplay makes it stand out among a market oversaturated with Souls-like games.

As a seasoned gamer, I’ve noticed that Phantom Blade Zero might share a visual resemblance with Souls-like titles such as Elden Ring or Lies of P. However, when it comes to gameplay mechanics, this action game strays away from the traditional formulas those games follow.

As a dedicated fan, I must confess that while S-Game’s developer acknowledges drawing inspiration from past FromSoftware games, it turns out this isn’t the primary influence on their masterpiece. Surprisingly, the game’s director reveals that they were more inspired by a horror franchise, which might initially strike us as an unexpected source of inspiration.

Phantom Blade Zero Uses Three Games As Its Pillars In Game Design

The game’s representative stated that while it may not be classified as a Souls-like game, its level designs show clear influences from the pre-Elden Ring era of FromSoftware, specifically focusing on tightly connected and intricate layouts.

In addition, the fundamental structure of this game revolves around elements similar to three different titles: a combat system reminiscent of Devil May Cry, level design akin to Souls, an atmosphere and narrative resembling Resident Evil.

In an interview with GamesRadar, Phantom Blade Zero’s game director “Soulframe” Liang clarified, “Initially, people assumed we were creating a Soulslike game. To demonstrate our unique combat system for the core gameplay, we’ve been showcasing these battle demos. However, it seems some have formed a different impression – they think it’s a hack-and-slash with no narrative, but that’s not accurate. It’s closer to Resident Evil, involving blade combat rather than the usual survival horror elements.

To expand on his idea, Liang explained, “We aim to incorporate elements that are beneficial and engaging for our project – a kung fu movie with elements of exploration and character development. This might include exploration reminiscent of Souls games, atmospheric elements like those in Resident Evil, or combat styles from hack-and-slash games. However, we strive to ensure the overall experience remains consistent and not merely a haphazard collection of unrelated parts.

This idea certainly catches my attention, especially considering how many Souls-like games are currently available. In simpler words, it’s quite distinctive within this popular gaming genre.

To ensure Phantom Blade Zero isn’t similar to a Souls-like game, more evidence is needed. Previous hands-on experiences from last year suggested that the game is designed for faster gameplay compared to Elden Ring. However, it also makes defensive combat easier for beginners. Parrying in this game seems more lenient, and blocking overall is straightforward. Pressing the block button will prevent damage from most enemy attacks, although it will deplete your stamina, preventing heavy counterattacks (light attacks don’t require stamina), but it means you won’t always have to rely on quick blocks.

The game Phantom Blade Zero doesn’t have a confirmed launch date as of now, but it’s planned for a 2025 debut on both PlayStation 5 and PC systems.

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2025-04-20 23:08