At Geoff Keighley’s Summer Games Fest over the weekend, numerous games were showcased, but one in particular caught my attention. The game is titled Phantom Blade Zero, an Action-RPG developed by Chinese studio S-Game, which is based in Beijing and was founded in 2011. Since its announcement and initial trailers, Phantom Blade Zero has garnered significant praise while also facing skepticism regarding the authenticity of the visuals presented in the videos. To address this, the developers at S-Game are now prepared to unveil the gameplay and allow public playthroughs, not only to confirm the真实性主要被原文所传达的内容限制，以下为严格根据指示重写的段落：At Geoff Keighley’s Summer Games Fest over the weekend, numerous games were showcased, but one in particular caught my attention. The game is titled Phantom Blade Zero, an Action-RPG developed by Chinese studio S-Game, which is based in Beijing and was founded in 2011. Since its announcement and initial trailers, the game has garnered significant praise while also facing skepticism regarding the authenticity of the visuals presented in the videos. To address this, the developers at S-Game are now prepared to unveil the gameplay and allow public playthroughs, not only to confirm that everything shown is true but also to clarify that the game isn’t a Souls-like as previously thought, but more akin to Kungfupunk, blending elements from Devil May Cry and Wu Xia Pian.
WHEN CHINA WAKE UP
Before examining the gameplay, it is important to note that Phantom Blade Zero is a game developed using Unreal Engine 5 and set in Phantom World, an universe where various types of powers converge. The setting includes Chinese kung fu, intricate machines evocative of steampunk, occult arts, and other intriguing elements that do not fit into these categories. Players take on the role of Soul, an elite assassin working for a powerful but unseen organization known simply as “The Order”. Our protagonist is accused of murdering the patriarch and severely injured during the subsequent pursuit. A mystical healer managed to save him from death, and he must now uncover the truth behind this conspiracy. To describe his game, developer Soulframe Liang cites Wu Xia Pian films, Bruce Lee, Michelle Yeoh, or even Donnie Yen. For him, kung fu continues to evolve in pop culture, and he aims with Phantom Blade Zero to infuse it with a punk spirit not yet seen elsewhere, hence the term “Kungfupunk”. The idea is indeed to subvert Chinese genre classics and transform them into a distinct genre, similar to how steampunk emerged in the West. Otherwise, Phantom Blade Zero is built on a semi-open world foundation, rather than an open world, as it was deemed too ambitious for him and his team. He chose instead to offer multiple maps of considerable size. Additionally, he explains that the very dark visual style is an artistic choice designed to make characters with golden hearts stand out.
Soulframe Liang acknowledges that fashion in games often aligns with Souls-like and Monster Hunter-like titles. However, he is particularly fond of games such as Devil May Cry and Ninja Gaiden, though he concedes these are too challenging for most players. His extensive experience with mobile games has enabled him to streamline gameplay for touchscreens, allowing users to perform intricate movement sequences with simple commands. This approach can also be applied to traditional controllers, forming the foundation of Phantom Blade Zero’s gameplay mechanics. To ensure high-quality action sequences, Soulframe Liang enlisted Kenji Tanigaki, renowned for choreographing fights in many kung-fu films. This collaboration results in on-screen performances that are both stylized and visually spectacular.
BETWEEN DMC AND STELLAR BLADE
This is the first time the game is playable at this Summer Game Fest, showcasing that the previous trailers were not misleading and that it features genuine gameplay. The Chinese studio has developed a demo with several combat phases, including various enemy types, both basic and boss-like, totaling three in this demo. Phantom Blade Zero is often incorrectly referred to as a Souls-like game, which can be partially accurate but also inaccurate since the game is more intricate. It combines elements from different sources, drawing inspiration from multiple origins. In terms of map construction (semi-open world), it shares similarities with Souls-like games, but in gameplay mechanics, it diverges, focusing on combos reminiscent of the classic Devil May Cry style, featuring quick, aggressive, and highly choreographed attacks inspired by Wu Xia Pian films. This genre emphasizes acrobatics and spectacle in martial arts. Similar to Devil May Cry, Phantom Blade Zero prioritizes combos and how players juggle the weapons provided to them. The demo featured only four weapons, but there will be 30 in the final game, ranging from a traditional katana to a two-handed heavy sword, double blades, and spears. Additionally, Phantom Edges serve as gadgets or firearms, such as an arm-mounted cannon and the famous Tiger Hand Cannon, which can be used mid-combo to clear groups of enemies. There is also a bow for long-range combat and other unrevealed weapons.
VIF, TECHNICALLY IMPRESSIVE & SPECTACULAR
Each weapon in Phantom Blade Zero has an ultimate attack that becomes available as soon as a purple flame appears on the icon. This flame is charged by chaining attacks, and once it appears, it provides either a powerful single attack or a specific combo sequence. The game features highly stylized iconography with ideograms that appear as onomatopoeic sounds to conclude an execution move. The combat system revolves around creating long chains of attacks by combining different weapons and gadgets. Additionally, the game includes a parry mechanic based on a stamina gauge called the Sha-Chi Meter; each block performed using L1 drains this meter, and once it is depleted, your defense breaks down. Enemies in the game also have two bars displayed above their heads: one for health and another for stamina, ensuring that players start with an equal footing against them.
GHOST ASSASSIN
However, the ultimate red critical attacks cannot be blocked and must be dodged; if dodged with perfect timing, a ghost step can be gained for an advantage. Mastering this combination of mechanics is essential for progressing in the game and defeating challenging bosses; there were 3 in the demo, and many more in the final game. Players can interact with the environment, such as running along a wall to jump on the boss and attack from above. Some initially thought these mechanics in early trailers were faked or just cinematics, but they are part of the gameplay. Phantom Blade Zero features numerous contextual movements to give natural movement to the character, which can be canceled for speed. Additionally, the game includes stealth phases with enemies that can be one-shot from behind and can also be attacked from above, similar to Assassin’s Creed.
Apart from that, Soulframe Liang, the creator of the game, has indicated that Phantom Blade Zero will also include an exploration element, featuring treasures and chests to uncover. Players are encouraged to scout the map, appreciate the cool graphics, as the game often offers multiple paths and ways to progress through different areas. As of now, there is no specific release date for Phantom Blade Zero other than the confirmation it will be released in 2025. The studio has stated that they will take the necessary time to ensure the game’s quality, a trait commonly seen in Chinese studios. This approach stems from the fact that their trailers are often met with skepticism and labeled as vaporware until proven otherwise through the release of playable content. Similar to how Black Myth Wu Kong was initially considered overhyped but eventually became available for play at Summer Game Fest and is set to launch within two months, S-Game aims to address such criticisms by delivering a polished product.
