Phantom Blade Zero hands-on review

    by 🔫 Not A Real Sugar: Phantom Blade Zero

    It's been about 15 years since FromSoftware popularized the Souls-like genre, and while the category is thriving, the sheer number of titles has become a bit tiresome. That's where Phantom Blade Zero comes in. Scheduled for release on October 29th, this upcoming wuxia action RPG from Chinese studio S-Game puts you in the boots of Sol, a swordsman of the Order betrayed by his sworn brother Xiaoxang. After over five hours of hands-on testing, the game displays animation described as the best ever seen in a video game, with combat rated as the most satisfying action experience since Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. The setting and premise are intriguing if slightly confusing, but the level design keeps things engaging. We evaluated the setting, premise, and combat to see if it can distinguish itself in such a saturated market. What's your most difficult soulslike boss victory?

    Transcript (en)

    It's been around 15 years since FromSoftware popularized the Souls-like genre. But while the Souls-like genre is undoubtedly thriving, the sheer abundance of titles is getting a little tiresome for some. That's why some fans have turned their attention towards more Souls-like adjacent titles. Phantom Blade Zero is one such title. Set to launch on October 29th, Phantom Blade Zero is an upcoming wuxia action RPG being developed by the Chinese-based studio S-Game. Phantom Blade Zero puts players in the boots of Sol, a renowned swordsman of the Order who was portrayed by his sworn brother Xiaoxang. While Phantom Blade Zero's first-class presentation is sure to be the first thing most players will register upon booting up the game, it's the game's combat that's bound to leave a lasting impression. Combat is certainly the meat and potatoes of Phantom Blade Zero's gameplay loop, but even its striking visuals and grounded feel would lose its luster eventually if the rest of the experience wasn't pulling its Wait, as things stand after just over five hours, Phantom Blade Zero features the best animation we have ever seen in a video game and the most satisfying action combat we've experienced since Sekiro Shadows Die Twice, all wrapped around engaging level design and an intriguing, albeit slightly confusing, main narrative. Famous last words, but something would have to go seriously wrong for the full game not to stick the landing.