Phantom Blade Zero: 20-30 Hour Playtime, Adjustable Difficulty

Phantom Blade Zero: Estimated 20-30 Hours of Playtime with Adjustable Difficulty

Phantom Blade Zero is set to offer a robust gaming experience with four difficulty options and a host of new gameplay features. As the game progresses through its development, here's what you can anticipate when it launches in 2025.

Phantom Blade Zero: Not A Soulslike, Features Four Difficulty Options

Phantom Blade Zero will introduce four distinct difficulty settings: easy, ordinary, difficult, and extremely difficult. This feature distances the game from the Soulslike genre, which is renowned for its relentless difficulty and lack of adjustable options. Fans initially drew comparisons to Soulslike games due to Phantom Blade Zero's aesthetics and combat, showcased during the PlayStation Showcase 2023.

Game Director Soulframe clarified this distinction in a tweet following the Summer Game Fest 2024, emphasizing that the goal was never to create another Soulslike. Instead, the focus is on delivering "combo-driven, heart-pumping combat that is hectic, rewarding, and exhilarating." While the game draws inspiration from Soulslike games with its multi-layered maps and exploration elements, Soulframe insists that "the similarities stop there," describing Phantom Blade Zero as "Ninja Gaiden Combat on a Souls Game Map."

Gameplay Features: Over 30+ Weapons, 20-30 Hours of Playthrough, and More

Recent interviews have shed light on several exciting aspects of Phantom Blade Zero. Players will have a vast arsenal at their disposal, with 30 primary and 20 secondary weapons, each offering unique gameplay and combat effects. The main story is estimated to provide 20-30 hours of playtime, with an additional 20-30 hours of side content for those looking to dive deeper.

Boss encounters will feature at least two phases, with the option to restart from the second phase if defeated, enhancing the challenge and replayability. A new game mode, "Li Wulin," allows players to battle previously defeated bosses, unlocking hidden bosses for further conquests. Additionally, a mysterious mechanic that influences the game's ending has been hinted at, though details on how it affects the narrative and the number of possible endings remain undisclosed.

Phantom Blade Zero: Year Of The Snake Gameplay Trailer

The "Year of the Snake Gameplay Trailer" for Phantom Blade Zero showcases the protagonist, Soul, in combat against the "Chief Disciple of The Seven Stars." The trailer also highlights weapons such as the "Weapon No.13 Soft Snake Sword" and "Weapon No.27 White Serpent and Crimson Viper."

The trailer confirms that a release date announcement for Phantom Blade Zero is expected in 2025. The game's official Twitter (X) page also shared a video celebrating the Lunar New Year, where Soulframe hinted at more exciting announcements and teased undisclosed features set to be revealed later in the year.

Phantom Blade Zero is currently in development for PlayStation 5 and planned for release on PC. No specific release date has been set yet.

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