Phantom Blade Zero’s latest State of Play presentation has revealed new details about its combat systems, weapons, difficulty options, side quests, and the game’s dark wuxia world. Developer S-Game also detailed kung fu star Donnie Yen’s involvement in the upcoming action game ahead of its October 29 release on PlayStation 5.
The presentation provides a deeper look at the Wulin, the dangerous martial arts world where protagonist Soul’s journey takes place. Players will encounter citizens in need during their travels, with some interactions and side quests potentially opening additional story paths and providing more information about the events that lead into Phantom Blade Zero’s story.
Exploration will also play an important role, with secrets scattered throughout the Wulin for players to discover as they uncover the truth behind the game’s central events.
Combat will offer considerable room for customisation. Players can obtain more than 30 main weapons as they progress, alongside 25 secondary weapons known as Phantom Edges. Weapons can be upgraded and combined with different accessories, allowing players to create builds suited to their preferred approach.
The game will support a variety of combat styles, including ranged attacks and the use of summons. Defeating certain enemies can also unlock additional weapons, expanding the options available when tackling tougher opponents.
Players will not be permanently locked into their weapon choices either. Upgraded weapons can be reforged, allowing players to recover the materials invested in them and use those resources to develop another build.
Phantom Blade Zero will also offer several difficulty settings designed to accommodate different types of players. Wayfarer mode is intended for those who primarily want to experience the story, while Hellwalker increases the challenge with more advanced and adaptive enemy AI.
The most demanding option is Sixty-Six Days, which S-Game describes as a mode designed for players looking for a particularly difficult experience.
The developer also revealed more about Donnie Yen’s contribution to the game. The martial arts actor serves as a creative consultant on Phantom Blade Zero and provides both facial and motion capture for Mó Yuan, a character players will encounter during the game.
According to S-Game, Yen’s performance and creative input have helped the team capture the style and spirit of traditional kung fu cinema. His involvement extends beyond his likeness, with the actor contributing his expertise to the game’s depiction of martial arts.
Phantom Blade Zero is scheduled to launch on October 29 for PlayStation 5.
