During the Future Games Show, Phantom Blade Zero director Soulframe Liang shared new insights into the upcoming wuxia action role-playing game, highlighting its scope, combat systems, and future release plans. The interview offered a clearer picture of what players can expect from the ambitious title while also teasing that a release date will be confirmed within 2025.
According to Liang, the game is designed to feel like a “playable kung fu movie,” with combat animations captured from real martial arts experts. Players will have access to 30 main weapons and more than 20 secondary weapons, which can be paired into customizable loadouts. Liang emphasized the variety of playstyles this system allows, noting that the game seeks to present Chinese kung fu culture at an unprecedented production scale.
The director described the experience as something between a Souls-like title and expansive role-playing games such as The Witcher. Unlike many modern games that conceal objectives behind minimal guidance, Phantom Blade Zero will feature tools such as a hand-drawn map to assist navigation. Liang explained that the focus is on storytelling and combat depth rather than overly complex exploration.
In terms of progression, the game is structured with multiple levels of completion. Liang stated that an average player’s first run might only cover 30 to 40 percent of the total content, leaving large portions of optional areas undiscovered. The recent demo itself represented a handcrafted side level that could be entirely missed during a standard playthrough.
Looking ahead, Liang confirmed that Phantom Blade Zero will be available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 5 Pro, Steam, and the Epic Games Store. While no exact launch date has been set, the development team intends to announce the release window later this year.
Developed and published by S-GAME, Phantom Blade Zero follows the assassin Soul in his mission to unravel the truth behind the death of The Order’s patriarch. Set in the Phantom World, the game blends cinematic martial arts action with narrative-driven design, aiming to appeal to both long-time fans of the genre and newcomers alike.
