Phantom Blade Zero Has the Potential To Be the Next Black Myth: Wukong [PREVIEW]

As a seasoned gamer with decades of combat-focused gameplay under my belt, let me tell you that Phantom Blade Zero has managed to captivate and impress me twice over at Gamescom. I was initially drawn in by its electrifying gameplay, which is reminiscent of my favorite action games like Ninja Gaiden and Devil May Cry. But what truly hooked me was the challenge posed by the boss battles – a testament to my unyielding love for Soulslike games.

At Gamescom, I tried Phantom Blade Zero demo twice; the second round was due to a developer encouraging me to play it on a more challenging setting. I found myself completely captivated by its appeal. Each trailer for Phantom Blade Zero has been impressive so far, and I’m thrilled to confirm that the gameplay lives up to the anticipation.

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In contrast to Phantom Blade Zero, which resembles games like Ninja Gaiden or Devil May Cry in its combat style, Black Myth: Wukong leans more towards hack-and-slash gameplay. Both titles, however, share similarities with Soulslike games due to their Chinese origins and the influence of these action-combat genres. Game Science is drawing inspiration for Black Myth: Wukong from the classic Chinese tale Journey to the West, while S-Game is reviving Rainblood: Town of Death, a well-known Chinese indie RPG, with a Soulslike twist in Phantom Blade Zero.

For Western audiences, games like “Journey to the West” and “Rainblood: Town of Death” might not hold the same level of familiarity as they do for people in China, but that doesn’t diminish their appeal. When you remove all the distinctive features and narrative elements from “Black Myth“, it still stands as an intriguing game at its heart. The same applies to “Phantom Blade Zero“. Regardless of the details unveiled thus far, its core design remains incredibly appealing.

Phantom Blade Zero’s Combat is Rhythmic and Intense

During my initial experience playing the demo of Phantom Blade Zero, I charged headlong into a group of adversaries to familiarize myself with their attack patterns, skills, and combat style. Despite being frequently hit, blocked, and maneuvering around them, I managed to separate them and lure them out. Additionally, I discovered that two archers could have been dispatched more quickly if I had utilized the nearby elevated ground earlier. Regardless, it was instantly enjoyable, and the first boss battle against Tie Sha the Frenzy left me truly impressed.

Mastering blocking, deflecting, and evading are crucial skills when facing the swift and rhythmic enemies of Phantom Blade Zero, as I discovered during this intense boss battle against Tie Sha. His relentless pace left little room for error, yet I managed to adapt by utilizing timely blocks whenever my timing was off. Mostly, though, I synchronized with his rhythm, executing flawless parries and deft dodges at a moment’s notice. This allowed me to launch counter-attacks and Ghost Steps, positioning myself behind him. By dodging damage, disrupting his Shai Chi (forcing him to lower his guard), and unleashing a devastating Ultimate move called a Power Surge, we swiftly defeated Tie Sha, and Commander Cleave soon followed suit.

Without a doubt, both battles were tough, let me emphasize that point. I’ve had extensive experience with Soulslike and character action games, and each boss battle demanded the utmost concentration to succeed against any formidable opponent. It truly excels in providing clear signals for each boss’s moves, offering an enjoyable and rhythmic flow that fits seamlessly into gameplay. Mastering the boss’s moveset was crucial, and it offered a sense of fun as well as a challenge. Each weapon we used, such as heavy weapons or dual blades, felt distinct yet intuitive to their respective characteristics, and combat was so smooth that switching weapons would replenish our stamina. This design choice kept us fully immersed, required a balance between offense and defense, and maintained an engaging level of difficulty throughout the experience.

Phantom Blade Zero’s Bosses Know How to Challenge Players

Of course, a little disruption is required to ensure that these systems don’t become stale. I obviously can’t speak to the full game, but the third boss, Huangxing, was a prime example of this. While his standard attacks felt as fine-tuned as the other bosses, his set-up was unique. For example, the combat encounter began with him at the far back of a temple where he would immediately launch an attack. His animation would play, he’d shoot a ball and chain into the air, and it would come crashing down. We had a few options to stop this: using our ranged Phantom Edge to interrupt his animation, hiding behind a nearby pillar, or getting the timing of a parry right (despite the fact that our only indication was a white light coming through the ceiling).

Relentlessly, we were determined to nail down the timing – and it’s likely this persistence cost us many lives. From then on, he proved to be an unusual adversary, behaving differently than other enemies, while maintaining his own unique tempo. The Phantom Blade Zero showcases rhythmic combat and character actions, a fact evident in both demo runs. Our time on the highest difficulty decreased because we had learned these rhythms, making it an incredibly satisfying experience.

It’s important to note that we didn’t find many applications for the Phantom Edges, which are typically ranged weapons. We could use a bow to attack enemies from a distance or disrupt Huangxing, but their high demands made the experience feel disrupted. However, there will be plenty of these items in the game, and it’ll be intriguing to observe how they influence builds and gameplay strategies.

In essence, our demo clearly demonstrates that Phantom Blade Zero isn’t merely boasting in its trailers; it delivers on its promises through its gameplay. Fans of games such as Ninja Gaiden, Devil May Cry, or Black Myth: Wukong will probably find themselves drawn to Phantom Blade Zero, with its 2026 release already generating significant anticipation.

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2024-08-30 20:37