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

Get ready for Phantom Blade Zero, boasting four difficulty settings and a wealth of gameplay features! This 2025 release promises an exciting adventure. Read on for the latest development updates.

Phantom Blade Zero Development: Debunking the "Soulslike" Label

Contrary to initial comparisons, Phantom Blade Zero offers four distinct difficulty levels: Easy, Ordinary, Difficult, and Extremely Difficult. While its visuals and combat initially drew Soulslike comparisons following its PlayStation Showcase 2023 appearance, the inclusion of varied difficulty settings clearly differentiates it. The game director, Soulframe, clarified on Twitter (following its Summer Game Fest 2024 showing) that a Soulslike experience wasn't the goal. Instead, the focus is on "combo-driven, heart-pumping combat that is hectic, rewarding, and exhilarating."

The game's dark aesthetic and challenging boss encounters did inspire Soulslike comparisons. Soulframe acknowledges inspiration from Soulslike titles in the design of multi-layered maps, diverse approach paths, and hidden areas, but emphasizes that "the similarities stop there." He previously described the gameplay as "Ninja Gaiden Combat on a Souls Game Map," blending intense hack-and-slash action with expansive exploration.

Gameplay: Extensive Weaponry, Lengthy Playtime, and More

Recent interviews unveiled further details. Players can choose from over 30 primary and 20 secondary weapons, each with unique combat properties. Expect 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. Conveniently, dying during the second phase allows players to restart from that point, eliminating the need to repeat the first. A "Li Wulin" mode lets players rematch defeated bosses, potentially unlocking hidden challenges.

A game mechanic influencing the ending has been mentioned, though the specifics and number of alternate endings remain undisclosed.

Phantom Blade Zero "Year of the Snake" Gameplay Trailer

The recently released "Year of the Snake Gameplay Trailer" showcases Soul, the protagonist, battling the "Chief Disciple of The Seven Stars." The trailer also highlights weapons like the "Weapon No.13 Soft Snake Sword" and "Weapon No.27 White Serpent and Crimson Viper."

A 2025 release date announcement is anticipated. The official Phantom Blade Zero Twitter (X) account shared a Lunar New Year video where Soulframe hinted at further exciting announcements and previously unseen reveals.

Phantom Blade Zero is currently in development for PlayStation 5, with a PC release also planned. No official release date has been confirmed.

Stay tuned to our Phantom Blade Zero page for the latest news!