On this video, we’re taking one other have a look at Phantom Blade Zero, a sport we’ve coated fairly a bit on this channel during the last yr. I had the prospect to play a more moderen model at Gamescom, and I believe our group goes to completely like it. It’s so a lot enjoyable to play.
Phantom Blade Zero: A New Stage of Problem
The gameplay you’re seeing right here is from a unique space with new enemies and executives, so that you’re going to see one thing recent in as we speak’s showcase.
Phantom Blade Zero is a kung fu-inspired motion RPG that attracts closely from Chinese language martial arts, which is obvious the second you watch the gameplay. What’s fascinating is that whereas the strikes look insanely difficult, they’re not troublesome to carry out.
Regardless of your ability degree whether or not you’re new or a veteran, your gameplay goes to look badass. In my view, Phantom Blade Zero might be the most effective playable sport at Gamescom, the one I’d give “Greatest in Present.”
This demo was performed fully on the toughest problem, which was added final September. This mode isn’t any joke. Beforehand, I beat the Tokyo Recreation Present demo boss in only a handful of tries, however on this problem it took practically an hour. It’s extra akin to a combating sport, the place enemies adapt to your assaults and drive you to bait them into errors. The problem is brutal, but in addition deeply rewarding.
Weapons and Fight Selection
Throughout the demo I examined new weapons, together with the Mushy Snake Sword, which mixes whip and blade mechanics, and the White Serpent and Crimson Viper twin weapons with their serpent-inspired model.
My favourite was the Seamless Dying twin round blades, as a result of they remodel your dodge right into a shadow step, which feels unbelievable in combos.
You’re inspired to fit two weapons and swap mid-combo, extending your assaults into longer, flashier sequences.
At present, there are eight confirmed weapon varieties, although I wouldn’t be stunned if just a few extra are added earlier than launch.
The weapon selection already feels robust, and each modifications the circulation of fight in thrilling methods.
Exploration and Stage Design
From what I performed, exploration feels linear, not open world. Ranges join extra like corridors than sprawling zones, although there are hidden objects, collectibles, and dynamic actions like wall working, rope swinging, and stealth kills.
One among my favourite moments was pulling off a double stealth kill that I didn’t even understand was attainable.
Exploration isn’t unhealthy, but it surely’s not the spotlight. When fight is that this good, it’s exhausting for anything to compete.
Development comes from objects that improve well being or stamina, just like Darksiders or God of Conflict, the place fragments ultimately enhance your stats. It doesn’t really feel like a full RPG with ranges and armor, however extra like Ninja Gaiden with restricted development layered into an action-focused core.
Fight That Raises the Bar
What units Phantom Blade Zero aside is the way it handles group fight. In most Soulslike video games, your intuition is to skinny out enemies and battle the more durable ones one-on-one. Right here, you’re inspired to tackle a number of opponents directly.
The system permits you to deflect and dodge from all instructions, seamlessly chaining combos throughout enemies, typically flipping to the subsequent goal mid-attack. It feels straight out of a kung fu film battle scene, the place the hero takes on a crowd with model and precision.
This design makes you are feeling like a real martial arts grasp, and as you enhance, you’ll lean into it increasingly. It’s one of many causes I imagine Phantom Blade Zero has a few of the greatest fight I’ve performed in any motion RPG—even higher than standout titles like Nioh 2 or Wo Lengthy.
Remaining Ideas
Phantom Blade Zero retains getting higher each time I play it, which is unbelievable contemplating how polished it already feels.
I’ll be seeing extra at Tokyo Recreation Present, and I’ve been invited to Beijing to get a behind-the-scenes have a look at how the staff has labored with actual martial arts masters for movement seize.
This can be a title that actually raises the bar for fight within the style. However now I need to know what you assume. Have you ever been following Phantom Blade Zero, or is that this your first time listening to about it? Does it appear to be a sport you’d need to play? Let me know within the feedback.
