I play all the big action RPGs every year, and the ‘PS2 Golden Age’ approach of Phantom Blade Zero is exactly what I want right now

by

I really enjoyed Soulslike RPG The First Berserker: Khazan, and I’m also enjoying my turn-based JRPG Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. There’s one game that’s been lingering in the back of my mind. I can’t wait to play Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, and I still need to try AI Limit after its demo was enjoyable. Elden Ring Nightreign is bound to be fun, but Phantom Blade Zero captivates me like no other new or upcoming action RPGs. With each successful parry, my curiosity for it only grows stronger.

I’ve only played Phantom Blade Zero twice, but whenever I encounter it at gaming events or elsewhere, it seems and feels superior to my recollections. First unveiled during the 2023 PlayStation State of Play broadcast, this Chinese action RPG left me breathless after my initial frenzied playthrough. Contrary to my initial assumptions, it’s much faster than I anticipated, and its expertly crafted trailers accurately depict its gameplay. What makes it truly remarkable is that it’s not a Soulslike game, which is one of its strongest points – and as a Soulslike enthusiast, I can confidently say this.

My most recent Phantom Blade Zero gaming experience introduced me to the boss featured in the game’s latest Year of the Snake trailer – seven puppets manipulated by a corrupted, faceless swordsman without a face. It’s already remarkable that I didn’t find the chaotic battle frustrating, as action games with this type of camera often lose their structure when multiple bosses appear on screen. However, it wasn’t even the best part of the session. Additionally, it seems like a unique feature that the game allows you to resume the second phase of a boss fight upon death.

What truly captivated me was the display of new weapons – I was particularly smitten with a pair of swift twin blades, a flexible whip sword, and an incredibly fast-moving axe. Moreover, comments from Phantom Blade Zero’s creator and S-Game founder “Soulframe” Liang were quite pleasing to hear.

A different era

Skipping past specific details, Liang notes that Phantom Blade Zero is modeled after two primary themes: the classic era of martial arts movies and the classic era of PlayStation 1 and particularly PlayStation 2 action games. While I’m not an expert in kung fu, I do have nostalgic feelings for the early PlayStation period, and Phantom Blade Zero seems to resonate with me. At first, combat felt like a feast-or-famine situation, alternating between stylish, exciting moments and painful sections where I was torn apart, almost like abstract art. However, as I grow more accustomed to the controls, I find myself spending more time in the feasting phase. And when Phantom Blade Zero is operating at its best, it’s nothing short of electrifying.

Combinations start off intensely, with rapid, intense strikes, but by incorporating unique weapons known as Phantom Edges – such as the axe we used earlier – you can emphasize your attacks or discover fresh starting points. Switching weapons serves as a combo enhancer, unlocking another round of action right when bosses believe they can catch their breath. Generous dodge and parry opportunities, enhanced by dramatic, smoky effects for perfect counters, allow you to respond during a combination if you notice a boss preparing a special attack indicated by a flash of light.

Liang explains that they’ve made sure not to create overly complex combos in Phantom Blade Zero, instead focusing on maintaining the flair of Devil May Cry while keeping things accessible. However, there is plenty of room for personalization and skill expression. Similarly, Helldivers 2 doesn’t need to strive for cinematic looks, yet it effortlessly produces stunningly framed and timed duels that seem almost effortless. The gameplay speed is so fast that even Khazan seems slow in comparison.

I really enjoy playing this game and find it captivating to explore its unexplored aspects. It is said that Phantom Blade Zero can last around 50 hours on a first playthrough if you aim for complete exploration, with a vast array of optional content available. Liang mentions that the game has complex and secret-filled level design, which might contradict some action-focused trailers. This genre often struggles in this area, so I’m hopeful about Phantom Blade Zero. Games like Black Myth: Wukong and Khazan were interesting due to their boss rush mechanics and Unreal Engine backdrops, but their repetitive, expansive levels left me feeling uninterested at best and exhausted at worst.

Within the various stages, Phantom Blade Zero conceals more than 30 unique special weapons and 20 primary weapons. Most of these can be obtained by disarming them from formidable enemies, such as numerous sub-bosses, rather than the usual bosses you’d encounter in the main path. What I appreciate about this game is that it values exploration and gear significance. While some games might save their best loot for the critical path, Phantom Blade Zero offers a rich variety of martial arts weapons instead of just another spear with slightly increased attack power. Liang suggests you could complete the entire game with a single preferred weapon, but I’m excited to gather and experiment with an extensive collection of tools for combat.

As a gaming enthusiast, I can’t help but be thrilled about the surge of fantastic action RPGs emerging from China and Korea. Games like Zenless Zone Zero, Stellar Blade, Black Myth: Wukong, Lies of P, and Phantom Blade Zero have truly captured my interest. Among them, Phantom Blade Zero seems poised to be another significant milestone in this trend. Although it doesn’t yet have a confirmed release date for PS5 or PC, I find myself constantly thinking about it after just an hour of gameplay, and it consistently ranks high on my list of must-play action RPGs.

Read More

2025-05-12 23:10