After a series of trailers introduced at PlayStation events in late April and May, Phantom Blade Zero has quickly become one of the most anticipated action games today.
However, compared to the Soulslike or hack-and-slash genres, developer S-GAME has officially clarified: Phantom Blade Zero does not belong to any traditional category but is a groundbreaking product referred to as a “Wuxia Action Game.”
According to the project lead for Phantom Blade Zero, the game is an intersection of traditional Chinese martial arts (Wuxia), steampunk elements, and cinematic storytelling.
In the trailer, the main character is a skilled swordsman wielding a katana, engaging in combat with formidable enemies in battles rich in cinematic flair. The appearance of the parry system, health potions reminiscent of the “Estus Flask” in Dark Souls, has led the gaming community to frequently compare it to Soulslike games. However, the development team also firmly emphasizes that the unique aspects of this game are exclusively its own. In fact, Phantom Blade Zero offers a completely distinct experience, designed to not conform to any pre-existing templates in the gaming landscape.
Initially, S-GAME aimed for Phantom Blade Zero to be a traditional hack-and-slash game developed within a familiar framework like the Souls series. However, during the development process, the project has evolved into something “rarely seen in the gaming industry,” according to the CEO. He likened this journey to how Bruce Lee created an entirely new genre of martial arts films, transforming action movies into the “Kung Fu” or “Wuxia” cinematic experiences we know today. Thus, Phantom Blade Zero is now being promoted as a “Wuxia Action” game, where players will encounter exhilarating battles steeped in cinematic aesthetics, interwoven with storytelling and traditional Asian culture.
Currently, Phantom Blade Zero does not have a specific release date, but the CEO of Soulframe confirmed that an official announcement will be made before the end of 2025. In the meantime, a playable demo is being showcased at the Shougang Park (China), where players can have the opportunity to experience the game firsthand. Some rumors suggest that the demo may be released widely on PC and PS5, although the development team has yet to confirm this officially.
