Phantom Blade: Zero is an Exhilarating Action RPG You Need to Keep an Eye On

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It’s accurate to note that Sony has begun the new year amidst a stormy period, with the company still recovering from a disappointing live-service launch. While some believe Sony’s current generation is past its prime, it’s important to remember the solid releases on PlayStation last year and the potential for more promising content in the future.

Notably, PlayStation’s highly anticipated games are primarily single-player, a format that has been instrumental in establishing its modern era dominance, as evidenced by the numerous top-tier exclusive singles released during the PS4’s production. Climbing up the ranks of the most promising newcomers is the action RPG Phantom Blade Zero, which blends intense combat with ancient mythology and has garnered significant attention following the release of its ‘Year of the Snake’ trailer on both PS5 and PC.

The trailer, launched by S-GAME studio based in Beijing for Chinese New Year, presents a series of graceful fight scenes featuring our mysterious katana-carrying protagonist squaring off against seven synchronized adversaries. These adversaries, six masked doppelgängers controlled by the Master of Seven Stars, synchronize their movements with grace and accuracy.

Or more informally:

The Chinese New Year trailer from S-GAME studio showcases some beautiful fight scenes where our mysterious katana hero battles seven well-coordinated opponents, each controlled by a puppet master known as the Chief Disciple of the Seven Stars. They move in perfect harmony, displaying fluidity and precision.

In this game, Phantom Blade Zero, the action feels reminiscent of Souls-like games, as seven enemies attack simultaneously, and our protagonist deftly blocks, parries, and counters with precision. However, S-GAME advises against labeling it as a Souls-like. Though the swordplay resembles Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice in many ways, take a closer look at the hero’s moveset, and you’ll spot elements of Ninja Gaiden’s fast-paced combat with a bold flair similar to Metal Gear Rising. To put it simply, the combat in Phantom Blade Zero is no walk in the park.

Without focusing on its artistic aspects, this multi-round boss fight presents an unanticipated turn: After the Main Disciple is killed, his followers revive him by suspending his lifeless limbs with ropes from above, creating a semblance of life. This move is apparently their attempt to reassert control over our protagonist, the Chief, who remains as resilient as ever despite appearing like a puppet on the battlefield, writhing wildly.

While the intense focus on combat in Phantom Blade Zero is undeniably impressive, the developers at S-GAME aren’t satisfied with simply creating a battle-centric game. This game is set in a world rich with ancient folklore and magical realism, a setting that, despite its growing popularity in the West, still has the ability to bewilder. Yes, it shares similarities with games from FromSoft, but S-GAME are presenting Phantom Blade Zero’s cultural themes with assurance and authenticity. They believe it’s crucial not to water down elements that might seem obscure to non-Chinese gamers in order to tell a profound story supported by world-building and unique gameplay mechanics. In fact, the CEO and producer of Phantom Blade, Liang Qiwei (or Soulframe as he’s known online), referred to this upcoming adventure as “kung-fu punk” during an interview with Japanese website 4Gamer at last year’s Tokyo Games Show.

In their research, they focused on understanding the philosophical foundations of Hong Kong-style Kung Fu, emphasizing its defensive and offensive capabilities. They clarified any historical misunderstandings by blending martial arts practices and clothing familiar to Western spectators. The game’s ‘punk’ aspect is a reflection of its Steampunk influence; the world of Phantom Blade Zero is filled with elaborate machines equipped with robotic limbs, creating a mystery that resists simple categorization.

The results of S-GAME’s labor are clearly visible in the unique manner of the Main Character’s puppeteering, which blends obscure traditional elements that are not widely understood globally with influences from popular 1970s and 80s Kung Fu films, such as those starring Bruce Lee. This is further combined with media from more intellectual sources like Yuen Woo-ping’s 1978 film ‘Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow’, a movie appreciated for its depiction of an uncommon, snake-like style of Kung Fu. As demonstrated in the recent ‘Year of the Snake’ trailer, this film might have served as a direct inspiration for the scene involving the Main Character’s encounter with the Chief Disciple of the Seven Stars and the weapons wielded by our playable protagonist.

Certainly, the fresh video highlights our main character, known as Soul, using the pliable Soft Snake Sword, a blade that curves and twists like a ribbon on every strike, along with twin-katanas named White Serpent and Crimson Viper. Interestingly, these blades can stretch too, and Soul has an amazing skill to throw one blade upwards while masterfully guiding its breathtaking trajectory with the other.

In the game Phantom Blade Zero, players can wield two types of weapons simultaneously: a main weapon like the mentioned blades, alongside a secondary ‘Shachi’ weapon that includes powerful hammers and axes, as well as ranged options such as cannons and arrows. Each weapon comes with distinct move sets that change based on their length and weight. The multitude of secondary weapons also ensures numerous opportunities for creative gameplay.

In my gaming world, rather than relying on motion capture to bring my character’s moves to life, the developers of S-GAME have painstakingly crafted each animation within the game engine. This method may be more laborious, but it gives them the freedom to incorporate intricate footwork and daring stunts that would be challenging, if not impossible, to capture with live actors. The outcome is nothing short of spectacular – a blend of magic and realism that truly sets my character apart. To top it off, Kenji Tanigaki, a legendary figure in martial arts cinema from Japan, has been collaborating with the Phantom Blade Zero team as the action director.

The rising fame of Chinese video games is becoming increasingly difficult to overlook, with the latest notable ones originating from China being last year’s “Black Myth: Wukong,” which sold over 20 million units; a clear triumph. The upcoming game “Phantom Blade Zero” may benefit from the success of “Black Myth: Wukong,” but S-GAME has disclosed that while the studio received investments due to “Black Myth: Wukong’s” accomplishment, “Phantom Blade Zero” had already attracted additional funding offers (even having to decline some) prior to the release of “Black Myth: Wukong.

Worldwide, there’s a strong demand for action games, and it appears that “Phantom Blade Zero” could serve as an entrance to a gold rush in AAA development; not just matching last year’s “Black Myth: Wukong” as some suggest, but offering a substantial gateway to ancient themes unfamiliar in the West, which are expected to become popular mainstays similar to Japanese ninjas and samurai.

In a conversation with 4Gamer CEO Liang Qiwei, it was noted that the tribute by Game Science to the Monkey King might face more challenges compared to Phantom Blade Zero, given its deep roots in classic lore. However, at heart, games should be enjoyable sources of entertainment. According to Qiwei, this enjoyment comes from offering top-notch gaming experiences, which both S-GAME and Game Science’s titles seem to excel in.

If I’ve got it right, his argument is: if the enjoyment of playing games comes from the experience itself, then having cryptic themes or references to obscure cultures can be beneficial. The allure, he suggests, lies in players encountering the unknown. It seems that Phantom Blade Zero is releasing at a perfect moment to profit off the charm of the unfamiliar. Even though its gameplay might resemble titles from FromSoftware, Tecmo, or Team Ninja, its ancient settings offer a new and unique twist.

The trailer for “Year of the Snake” didn’t specify a release date. However, since Phantom Blade Zero is said to be fully polished, there’s a good chance it might come out by the end of this year. For now, we only know that the game will get a 2025 release window. Fingers crossed it arrives this year; Sony could use a strong single-player title to regain some positive sentiment. No matter if it’s released in 2025 or 2026, Phantom Blade Zero is expected to be game of the year caliber.

*Disclaimer: The opinions shared in this article belong solely to the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or stance of GamingBolt as a whole.*

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2025-02-14 16:12