[TGS24] Phantom Blade Zero Hands-On: Wuxia Meets Souls-like Combat

We had the opportunity to go hands-on with Phantom Blade Zero at Tokyo Game Show 2024, diving into an intense 25-minute demo that showcased the game’s unique blend of Wuxia-style combat and Souls-like mechanics. While the demo focused purely on gameplay without story elements, it provided enough depth to understand what sets this title apart from its contemporaries.

At the core of combat lies the Sha-Chi system, functioning similarly to a stamina bar for both players and enemies. The game introduces two key defensive mechanics: parrying blue-marked “Brutal Moves” and dodging red-marked “Killer Moves.” Both actions can be followed up with a Ghostep maneuver, allowing players to perform devastating backstabs that drain enemy Sha-Chi. Players can execute finishing moves once they deplete an enemy’s Sha-Chi, though they can only execute bosses during their final health phase.

Weapon diversity plays a crucial role, with players able to equip four weapons simultaneously – two primary and two secondary. The demo featured standout options like the dancing lion head, capable of unleashing fire attacks but vulnerable to interruption, and a hand cannon that offers both quick shots and charged attacks.

The boss encounters progressively challenged players’ mastery of these systems. Tie Sha served as an introductory fight focusing on fundamental mechanics. Commander Cleave presented a more formidable challenge with devastating long-range attacks and intelligent AI that adapted to player positioning. The demo culminated with Huangxing, a unique boss capable of one-shot kills with Flying Guillotines, demanding precise timing for both dodges and parries.

Although Phantom Blade Zero inspiration from Souls-like titles, it strikes a more accessible difficulty balance while maintaining enough challenge to engage genre veterans.

Phantom Blade Zero

Release Date TBC

Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5

Phantom Blade Zero is a new character action game from developer S-Game that features the type of fast-paced combo-based gameplay. Its art style combines traditional Japanese iconography with the fantastical and horrific.

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