In an intriguing recent interview, it was confirmed that Phantom Blade Zero will present players with four different levels of difficulty to choose from, catering to a variety of gaming preferences. This upcoming hack ‘n slash RPG also introduces some convenient gameplay features specifically designed to make boss battles more accessible. For instance, if you manage to push a boss fight into its second phase but then fall, you won’t be forced to restart from scratch. Instead, you’ll resume from the furthest phase you reached, which is a refreshing break from tradition.
Phantom Blade Zero is the brainchild of S-Game, a Chinese studio, and ever since its unveiling, it’s been drawing comparisons to classics like Devil May Cry and the immersive Soulslike titles. However, the developers were quick to point out their main sources of inspiration, emphasizing that the game marries Ninja Gaiden-inspired combat with exploration akin to Souls titles. This fusion presents a fresh twist on the hack ‘n slash genre while encouraging players to fully delve into its expansive world. Crucially, Phantom Blade Zero also introduces a feature that’s often missing in many games of this genre.
Diving deeper, insight shared on the Chinese platform Tieba indicates that players will be able to select from difficulty modes such as Easy, Normal, Hard, and Very Hard. While having adjustable difficulty settings is nothing new across various games, it tends to spark keen discussions within the Soulslike community, especially on the topic of an easy mode. The decision to incorporate these settings in Phantom Blade Zero has been met with mixed reactions—some embrace it, and others critique it. Interestingly, some hints suggest that these difficulty settings might affect gameplay outcomes, like altering endings based on the number of player deaths.
If you’re eyeing a challenging campaign, Phantom Blade Zero’s main story promises around 20 to 30 hours of intense gameplay, complemented by an additional 20 hours filled with side activities. This aligns it more with contemporary action RPGs in terms of length, as opposed to the typically shorter hack ‘n slash titles. Not just content with a rich narrative, the game also introduces modes like a boss rush, where you get the chance to face off and replay battles with main campaign bosses, supplemented by hidden boss fights for those who dare to explore.
The anticipation continues to build as we learn that Phantom Blade Zero boasts an arsenal of 30 primary weapons and over 20 secondary additions. The primary weapons lineup includes sleek blades and dynamic dual swords, while the secondary arsenal brings in diverse tools from spears to mighty hammers. A sneak peek into the game through a boss fight trailer showcased thrilling, fast-paced combat inspired by kung fu choreography—definitely something to watch out for. With 2025 looking to be a stellar year for this genre, thanks to announcements like Phantom Blade Zero, Ninja Gaiden 4, and Lost Soul Aside, hack ‘n slash fans have much to celebrate and anticipate.
