Phantom Blade Zero: 20-30 Hour Playtime, Four Difficulty Levels, and More Revealed
Recent updates on Phantom Blade Zero reveal a compelling blend of action and exploration, dispelling comparisons to Soulslike titles. The game will offer four difficulty settings – Easy, Ordinary, Difficult, and Extremely Difficult – a key differentiator from the notoriously challenging Soulslike genre.
Debunking the Soulslike Label:
Game Director Soulframe clarified via a tweet that Phantom Blade Zero isn't aiming for a Soulslike experience. Instead, the focus is on "combo-driven, heart-pumping combat that is hectic, rewarding, and exhilarating." While the game's dark aesthetic and challenging boss encounters drew initial comparisons, Soulframe emphasized that the inspiration from Soulslike games extends only to the multi-layered maps and multiple approach paths, not the overall difficulty. He described the gameplay as "Ninja Gaiden Combat on a Souls Game Map."
Extensive Gameplay Details:
Players can expect:
- Extensive Weapon Arsenal: Over 30 primary weapons and 20 secondary weapons, each with unique combat properties.
- Substantial Playtime: A projected 20-30 hours for the main story, with an additional 20-30 hours of side content.
- Strategic Boss Fights: Multi-phase boss battles with the option to restart from the second phase if defeated.
- "Li Wulin" Mode: A mode allowing players to rematch defeated bosses, potentially unlocking hidden encounters.
- Impactful Choices: A mechanic influencing the game's ending, though the specifics remain undisclosed.
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," and highlights weapons like the "Weapon No.13 Soft Snake Sword" and "Weapon No.27 White Serpent and Crimson Viper." The trailer hints at a 2025 release date. Further announcements are promised by Soulframe and the development team.
Phantom Blade Zero is currently in development for PlayStation 5, with a PC release also planned. A concrete release date is yet to be announced. Stay tuned for further updates!
