Summary
It feels like everyone is making a soulslike these days, as the cultural impact of the likes ofDark SoulsandElden Ringmeansit’s difficult to find action gamesthat don’t feature respawning enemies, mid-level checkpoints, or a carefully managed pool of resources that you lose when you die.
Phantom Blade Zero, which wasannounced and previewed at Summer Games Fest earlier this year, looked like it would be the next big soulslike pretender to try and compete with FromSoftware, but developer S-Games wants potential fans to know that this isn’t the case. Speaking with TheGamer, S-Games has explained that the only real inspiration from Dark Souls that can be seen in Phantom Blade Zero is the level design, as the game will include “multi-layered maps” and multiple paths to explore.
Phantom Blade Zero’s combat may look at home in a FromSoftware game, but S-Games explained that it wants players to experience fast-paced combat more reminiscent of titles such asDevil May Cry 5. Another of Capcom’s biggest franchises has also influenced Phantom Blade Zero’s story, as S-Games specifically mentionsResident Evil 4andAlan Wakehelped the team create “creepy vibes structured around carefully designed scenes.”
We are not making another soulslike game. We want our players to experience fast-paced, heart-pumping, combo-driven, and aggressive combat. This includes a large arsenal of weapons, each with unique mechanics.
Phantom Blade Zero Isn’t A Soulslike, More Devil May Cry And Resident Evil
Rather than be labeled a soulslike, S-Games believes that Phantom Blade Zero should be considered one part “Devil May Cry 5 Lite,” one part “Resident Evil 4 Lite,” and finally one part “Souls Lite.” This is presumably because it’s taking elements from all three titles while never really taking enough to mimic their respective genres. It certainly sounds interesting, and we’ll have to wait and see whether S-Games manages to successfully juggle so many influences.
Unfortunately, we won’t be getting our hands on Phantom Blade Zero’s full release very soon, as the game still has a vague release date of 2025. Thankfully,we have a demo coming at some point in 2024, so we’ll be able to see for ourselves how S-Games plans on mixing up all of its inspirations into one excellent title. Hopefully, it drops sooner rather than later.
Phantom Blade Zero
WHERE TO PLAY
Phantom Blade is an action RPG with roots in an RPG Maker game and which that draws heavily from the wuxia fantasy genre and ‘kungfupunk’. Lone warrior Soul has just 66 days to live, and you must choose whether to embrace life, or seek revenge,
