Phantom Blade Zero: 20-30 Hour Playtime, Four Difficulty Settings, and More Revealed

Recent updates on Phantom Blade Zero offer exciting details about gameplay, difficulty, and content. The game, previously compared to Soulslike titles due to its aesthetic, will feature four distinct difficulty levels: Easy, Ordinary, Difficult, and Extremely Difficult. This directly contradicts the Soulslike comparison, as the genre is typically known for its unforgiving challenge.

Game Director Soulframe clarified on Twitter (following its Summer Game Fest 2024 appearance) that the game isn't a Soulslike, aiming instead for "combo-driven, heart-pumping combat that is hectic, rewarding, and exhilarating." While acknowledging inspiration from Soulslike games in terms of level design (multi-layered maps, multiple paths, hidden areas), Soulframe described the game's combat as more akin to "Ninja Gaiden Combat on a Souls Game Map."

Extensive Gameplay Details

Players can anticipate a robust arsenal with over 30 primary and 20 secondary weapons, each with unique attributes. The main storyline is estimated to take 20-30 hours, with an additional 20-30 hours of side content. Boss fights will span two phases, offering the convenience of restarting from the second phase upon death. A new "Li Wulin" mode allows players to rematch defeated bosses, potentially unlocking hidden encounters. A currently undisclosed mechanic will influence the game's ending, hinting at multiple possible outcomes.

"Year of the Snake" Gameplay Trailer and Future Announcements

A recent "Year of the Snake" trailer showcased Soul, the protagonist, battling the "Chief Disciple of The Seven Stars," and highlighted weapons like the "Weapon No.13 Soft Snake Sword" and "Weapon No.27 White Serpent and Crimson Viper." While a release date is pending, the trailer and subsequent Lunar New Year video from Soulframe on the official Twitter (X) page promise further exciting announcements and previously unseen content in 2025.

Phantom Blade Zero is currently in development for PlayStation 5, with a PC release also planned. Stay tuned for further updates!