PHANTOM BLADE ZERO: ELEVATING SOULSLIKE GAMES TO ENTHRALLing NEW HEIGHTS

There’s a sub-genre of video gaming that’s grown and grown in recent years. Even if you don’t play games yourself, you’ve probably heard the term tossed around – soulslike. These games straddle that sweet spot between fiendishly challenging and deeply narrative-driven, tempting the bravest players with the promise of total victory. And the latest soulslikes are the best of the genre – but Phantom Blade Zero is set to raise the bar even higher.

A GLIMPSE INTO THE FUTURE OF GAMING

Arriving on the next-gen PlayStation 5 and PC this year, Phantom Blade Zero could be the perfect synthesis of the most exciting trends in modern gaming. At the game’s core is the soulslike concept, and the games on which Nexon gamedev have modelled their game remain mercilessly difficult. But Phantom Blade Zero goes beyond the punishing difficulty of Dark Souls (2011) and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (2019). The studio also hopes to appeal to as many players as possible –like the runaway hits God of War (2018) and EA’s Star Wars Jedi series. Accessibility is an ongoing and important topic in gaming. By opening the genre to more players, Phantom Blade Zero is evidence of an increasingly balanced character action game. Here, the masocore intensity of character action such as Devil May Cry and Bayonetta‘s hardest feats are balanced by an narrative and combat system that invites more players in.

FULL OF SOUL - THE S-GAME ADVANTAGE

Created by the China-based S-GAME, Phantom Blade Zero represents not only the increasing strength of the giant’s gaming industry but also the stated ambition of that industry. Hearkening back to the multi-platform Phantom Blade Executioners, it presents an isometric inner vision of Chinese fantasy and steampunk (with its creators calling the latter ‘KungFuPunk’).

You play as Soul, a master assassin caught in a conspiracy of violence and deceit. Framed for a murder he didn’t commit, Soul is given only one chance to save himself. He must complete his mission in time, before a mystical elixir that is keeping him from death’s clutches runs out.

UNLEASHING THE FURY - COMBAT AND STRATEGY

It is a masterwork of combat, a relentless symphony with Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice precision and Stellar Blade dynamism, from the tutorial to the campaign’s nail-biters.

Soul’s armoury is an even mix of light and heavy attacks, complemented by a solid guard system, roll-dodging and a selection of ranged guns. Soul’s combat mechanic is a adrenaline-ridden ballet where every attack – every bullet, blade and fist – sucks the player into a cinematic Wuxia movie, enemy engagements become a harmonious dance of violence, the choreography winding up to a stunning display of finisher moves that the player will happily replay in their head for the rest of their lives.

THE HEAT OF BATTLE

The precision killing of Phantom Blade Zero is about a quality of combat absent from many soulslike games: the sense that the difficulty is subordinate to your fun. The best boss fights in the game are what you’d expect from the design if you’ve played even a bit of the demo. Spectacular feats of visual and mechanical design, boss fights pair lightning-fast reflexes with cunning in real time.

ANTICIPATION BUILDS

It remains to be seen if Phantom Blade Zero, ahead of its impending launch, can cement itself as a genre changer, with a concept that makes it immersive and accessible, yet with more involved combat and gorgeous visuals akin to a soulslike. S-GAME have not only made a game, but have created a bridge between the microscopic precision of a soulslike, and the appeal of a mainstream gaming experience.

FOR THE LOVE OF GAMES - FURTHER READING

And for those who can’t get enough, we also cover the most coveted titles, such as:

• Our list of the best PS5 exclusives
• Our hands-on Star Wars Outlaws preview from SGF
• A Dragon Age The Veilguard preview to whet the RPG whistle

ABOUT HIGHLIGHT

Highlighting is not just a feature; it’s a way of living. It is both a reflection of S-GAME’s ideology and a paragon of its finest work. With the intersection of challenge and accessibility, S-GAME has demonstrated through highlighting that they will be the most playable game in the world for the longest time.Everything about Phantom Blade Zero sparkles with this same intensity. This game is a celebration of the idea of games.