Get ready for Phantom Blade Zero, boasting four difficulty settings and exciting gameplay features! This 2025 release promises a thrilling experience. Read on for the latest development updates.

Phantom Blade Zero Development News

Debunking the Soulslike Label: Four Difficulty Levels Confirmed

Phantom Blade Zero offers four difficulty levels: Easy, Ordinary, Difficult, and Extremely Difficult. While its visuals and combat initially drew Soulslike comparisons after its PlayStation Showcase 2023 debut, the inclusion of varied difficulty settings clearly distinguishes it. The game director, Soulframe, clarified on Twitter following its Summer Game Fest 2024 appearance that the game was never intended to be a Soulslike clone. Instead, the focus is on "combo-driven, heart-pumping combat that is hectic, rewarding, and exhilarating."

The game's dark aesthetic and challenging boss encounters fueled the Soulslike comparisons. Soulframe acknowledged inspiration from Soulslike titles in terms of map design (multi-layered, with multiple paths and hidden areas), but emphasized that "the similarities stop there." He previously described the gameplay as "Ninja Gaiden Combat on a Souls Game Map," blending hack-and-slash action with extensive exploration.

Gameplay Details: Extensive Weapon Selection, Lengthy Playtime, and More

Recent interviews revealed further details. Players can choose from over 30 primary and 20 secondary weapons, each with unique combat properties. Expect a 20-30 hour main story campaign, complemented by an additional 20-30 hours of side content.

Boss fights feature at least two phases, with a convenient feature allowing players to restart from the second phase after a death. A new "Li Wulin" mode lets players rematch defeated bosses, potentially unlocking hidden challenges.

A game mechanic influencing the ending has been mentioned, though the extent of its impact and the number of possible endings remain undisclosed.

Phantom Blade Zero "Year of the Snake" Gameplay Trailer

The recently released "Year of the Snake" trailer showcases Soul, the protagonist, battling the "Chief Disciple of The Seven Stars." The trailer also highlights weapons like the "Weapon No.13 Soft Snake Sword" and "Weapon No.27 White Serpent and Crimson Viper."

A 2025 release is hinted at in the trailer. The official Phantom Blade Zero Twitter (X) account also shared a Lunar New Year video where Soulframe teased more exciting announcements and previously unseen content later this year.

Phantom Blade Zero is currently under development for PlayStation 5, with a PC release planned. An official release date is yet to be announced.

Stay tuned to our Phantom Blade Zero page for the latest news and updates.