Of all the new games revealed at Sony's recent PlayStation showcase, the action game Phantom Blade 0 is arguably one of the most exciting. From developer S-Game, the game seems to blend fast-paced, hard-hitting swordplay with an Asian-inspired setting and even some steampunk machinery. If Phantom Blade 0 can tap into some of what made FromSoftware's Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice so successful, and even blend it with some of the more unique environmental elements that upcoming Soulslike Lies of P seems to be using, then fans could be in store for something special.
Phantom Blade 0 was one of a surprisingly small number of titles that were given what appears to be actual gameplay footage, rather than just a CGI trailer. Such was the quality of the visuals though, that the absence of any kind of recognizable HUD meant that the fighting sequences on show could've feasibly been cinematics. Some of the imagery on display ranged from battling a Chinese-style dragon to a high-speed chase on a horse and carriage, and featured plenty of clashing swords and martial arts. Fans of games such as the Nioh series, Sekiro, and Sifu, will likely have taken notice.
Phantom Blade 0 Looks Exciting
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice was critically acclaimed, even winning Game of the Year in 2019. Its blend of Soulslike mechanics with a samurai-era Japanese setting provided fans with a fresh take on a familiar formula, and the high level of difficulty ensures a more-than-adequate challenge even for hardcore Souls fans. Lies of P is a promising-looking Soulslike that puts a uniquely dark spin on the famous tale of Pinocchio, displaying plenty of dark and twisted imagery. The game's August release is rapidly approaching, and many gamers are hoping it will fill the void left by the lack of a Bloodborne sequel or remake.
The voiceover during Phantom Blade 0's trailer repeatedly makes reference to the fact that the unnamed protagonist only has 66 days to live. What this means and how it will fit into the narrative can only be speculated on at this stage. The trailer ends with the protagonist declaring he intends to use this time to 'get his heart back', but It's impossible to know if this is literal or metaphorical. He appears to be an incredibly agile combatant, both in and out of battle, as he's seen performing a variety of flips and jumps while easily traversing the sometimes-treacherous terrain. This evokes further similarities with Sekiro, where its protagonist Wolf was equally agile.
The speed of the game's combat looks borderline frightening at times, with the player's enemies appearing to be every bit as skilled and versatile as the protagonist. For those who enjoy the challenge of a pulse-pounding battle based on timing and skill, there are some extremely promising early signs of this on display in Phantom Blade 0's wild-looking combat.
Many games have fallen into the trap of showing initial promise in trailers, only to severely under-deliver upon their eventual release, and Phantom Blade 0's developer will no doubt be acutely aware of this. That being said, like many other games at the PlayStation Showcase, the game wasn't given a release date or even a window. This ensures that S-Game will be able to continue its work on the game until it is fully ready, free from the pressures of a public deadline. Fans will want to keep an eye out for further news of the game, with a 2023 release unlikely, but not yet impossible.
Phantom Blade 0 is currently in development for PC and PS5.
