Phantom Blade Zero HANDS-ON Preview: It’s Not a Soulslike, But It’s Damn Good

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Let’s set aside the specific genre for a moment – Phantom Blade Zero doesn’t quite fit into it. However, it shares some similarities, as it appears to have been influenced by Action Role-Playing Games (ARPGs). Phantom Blade Zero is an energetic action game that encourages players to be assertive, execute combos, and enjoy the experience. During Gamescom 2025, I did exactly that, but it wasn’t just a good time – it was an exceptional one.

For quite some time before Demon’s Souls introduced a challenging level of difficulty and death into action games that sparked over a decade-long fascination with toughness, these games along with hack ‘n’ slash titles were widely regarded as the standard. Games such as Devil May Cry, Ninja Gaiden, the initial God of War series, and Bayonetta are generally considered part of this elite group.

With non-Soulslike action games making a comeback, Phantom Blade Zero could take some beating.

Polished, Precise & Pure

At Gamescom 2025, the line for Phantom Blade Zero was absolutely colossal, stretching for miles throughout the event. Had I not received a special press pass to play it, I probably would have skipped it due to the long wait. The anticipation for S-Game’s Phantom Blade Zero is immense, undeniably the most highly anticipated game from the company yet, boasting an impressive scope and ambition.

In a one-hour preview, I had the chance to explore Phantom Blade Zero’s extensive collection of diverse weapons and engage in battles against formidable bosses. The game is divided into sections that offer both linear gameplay and areas with a bit more freedom. Your objective is to eliminate all enemies within an area to earn XP and bonuses.

During a one-hour preview, I was able to test out Phantom Blade Zero’s wide selection of weapons and battle some tough bosses. The game consists of levels that offer both guided play and areas with more freedom to roam. Your goal is to wipe out all enemies in a given area to gain XP and rewards.

Or:

I spent an hour checking out Phantom Blade Zero’s impressive arsenal of weapons and taking on challenging bosses. The game includes levels that combine structured gameplay with some freer areas to explore. To level up, you need to defeat all enemies in each area for XP and bonuses.

In this game, collectibles can be found throughout the play area, and it’s important to locate them since several of them provide incremental improvements to your health and strength. This task becomes simpler because enemies do not re-spawn in PBZ, which is interesting because the game director has emphasized that it is not a Soulslike title.

Phantom Blade Zero is A Nice Change of Pace

When you complete the initial stage of a game boss, trigger the next stage, but fail and die, you’ll start over from the second stage. Your in-game currency remains safe even when you die. The key is to attack strategically and string together combos for maximum damage. Plus, PBZ offers different difficulty settings to make the game more approachable for everyone.

In simpler terms, I chose a moderate difficulty level and managed to conquer the initial two bosses in the demo without losing a life. My final battle was against the Chief Disciple of the Seven Stars, a character recently showcased in a gameplay trailer. I particularly enjoy fights that aren’t traditional 1v1 brawls, and the Black Rabbit Brotherhood encounters from Lies of P often come to mind. The music throughout was awesome, and the moves and executions were simply stunning.

In simpler terms, I enjoyed testing various weapons and figuring out different combinations during the demo. The game felt polished and well-rounded throughout. Although Phantom Blade Zero might not release until 2026, I believe it would be ready for launch if it were available today.

Fallen Feathers review, I found the frequent and excessive use of long-range attacks by enemies to be quite frustrating. These attacks felt like constant projectile spam, which quickly became irritating. I believe this tactic is an inexpensive way for developers to make the game more challenging, but it often dulls the thrill and pleasure of massive battles. It seems to artificially increase the difficulty level of the game.

Apart from being exceptional, S-Game offers an action-packed gaming experience. With titles like Lost Soul Aside, Ninja Gaiden 4, and the future release Black Myth: Wukong revitalizing action genres, Phantom Blade Zero is perfectly timed to make its debut. Given its current quality, I wouldn’t hesitate to label it as a day-one purchase, and I stand by that assessment with confidence.

At Gamescom 2025, we’ve provided comprehensive previews for various upcoming games including LEGO Voyagers, Valor Mortis, Super Meat Boy in 3D, Hollow Knight: Silksong, and several others.

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2025-08-25 19:48