Phantom Blade Zero looks the part at first glance. Dark visuals, interconnected maps, tough bosses, and a strong parry system that echoes Sekiro. Many people labeled it another Soulslike right away. The developers at S-Game disagree, and hands-on previews from Eurogamer, GamesRadar, IGN, and others back them up. This is not another entry in the crowded Soulslike genre.
Game director Soulframe Liang has stated repeatedly that making a Soulslike was never the plan. The studio wants combo-driven, heart-pumping combat that feels hectic and rewarding. They describe the game as resting on three pillars. Combat draws from Devil May Cry style action. Level design takes inspiration from the multi-layered maps of pre-Elden Ring Souls games. Atmosphere and narrative lean toward Resident Evil. The result is what the team calls a Wuxia Action game or Kung Fu Punk.
Gameplay sets it apart immediately. Combat is fast and aggressive. Players string long attack strings with light and heavy hits, switch weapons mid-combo, and use a Sha-Chi resource that basic attacks and dodges do not drain. Perfect parries open enemies for stylish finishers and Ghost Step slow-motion counters. Weapon variety is high, with dozens of unique arms earned from bosses, each with motion-captured martial arts flair. Reviews call the combat the most satisfying since Sekiro, yet more offensive and less stamina-locked.
Core Soulslike punishments are missing. Regular enemies do not respawn when you die or rest at a checkpoint. You do not drop currency on death. Bosses often resume from the last phase you reached. Multiple difficulty settings let players choose their challenge. Exploration still rewards curiosity with secrets and branching paths, but you clear areas without endless grinding.
Hands-on sessions from Gamescom, Summer Game Fest, and recent Beijing previews consistently praise the fluid kung fu animations, responsive controls, and sense of being a martial arts hero. It feels closer to Ninja Gaiden or character action games than the deliberate trade of hits in FromSoftware titles. Players on Reddit and X note the same: stylish, demanding, but not frustrating in the classic Soulslike way.
Phantom Blade Zero carves its own path. It borrows the best exploration ideas from Souls without copying the combat loop or the punishment. For players tired of the same formula, this wuxia-flavored action RPG delivers something fresh. It launches on PS5 and PC on October 29, 2026.