Phantom Blade Zero Playtime Estimated to be 20-30 Hours with Adjustable Difficulty

Get ready for Phantom Blade Zero, a highly anticipated action game slated for a 2025 release. Recent updates reveal exciting details about its gameplay and features, dispelling some initial comparisons to Soulslike titles.

Debunking the Soulslike Label: Difficulty Options and Combat Focus

Phantom Blade Zero will offer four difficulty settings: Easy, Ordinary, Difficult, and Extremely Difficult. This directly contradicts the notoriously challenging nature of Soulslike games, a comparison initially drawn due to the game's aesthetic and combat style. Game Director Soulframe clarified that the game's design prioritizes "combo-driven, heart-pumping combat that is hectic, rewarding, and exhilarating," rather than mimicking the Soulslike formula. While inspired by Soulslike games in terms of level design (multi-layered maps, multiple paths, hidden areas), the core gameplay is distinctly different. Soulframe himself described it as "Ninja Gaiden Combat on a Souls Game Map."

Extensive Gameplay: Weapons, Playtime, and Unique Mechanics

Players can expect a vast arsenal of over 30 primary and 20 secondary weapons, each with unique combat properties. The estimated playtime is a substantial 20-30 hours for the main story, with an additional 20-30 hours of side content. Boss battles feature at least two phases, with a convenient feature allowing players to restart from the second phase after a death. A new game mode, "Li Wulin," lets players rematch defeated bosses, potentially unlocking hidden challenges. An intriguing mechanic influencing the game's ending adds replayability, though the specifics remain undisclosed.

Year of the Snake Gameplay Trailer and Future Announcements

The recently released "Year of the Snake Gameplay Trailer" showcases Soul, the protagonist, battling the "Chief Disciple of The Seven Stars," and highlights 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 a Lunar New Year video from Soulframe on the official Twitter (X) page hint at more exciting announcements to come in 2025.

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