During the recent PlayStation Showcase event, Sony unveiled an exciting addition to its lineup: Phantom Blade Zero, a captivating third-person action RPG exclusively for PlayStation 5. Developed by S-Game, the game promises a dynamic combat experience centered around swordplay.
Immersing players in a world shrouded in darkness and perpetually drenched in rain, Phantom Blade Zero embraces a samurai theme, offering a visually striking environment that sets the tone for intense combat encounters and smooth traversal. In a detailed post on the PlayStation Blog, Soulframe Liang, the Founder, and CEO of S-Game, provided insight into the game’s setting, style, and narrative.
Phantom Blade Zero unfolds within a semi-open world that Liang describes as “bleak and punishing,” serving as a constant reminder for players to remain on guard. He coined the game’s aesthetic as “Kung-Fu Punk,” hinting at a unique blend of martial arts and punk elements woven into its world. The CEO of S-Game also delved into the interesting storyline, introducing players to the protagonist named Soul. An elite assassin aligned with the enigmatic and influential organization known as “The Order.”
What Makes Phantom Blade Zero Special
According to the blog post, here’s the basic plot of the game:
Soul finds himself ensnared in a perilous web of deception when he is framed for the murder of The Order’s leader. During the ensuing manhunt, Soul sustains severe injuries but is saved by a mystic healer. However, the cure is temporary, providing him with a mere 66 days of respite. Now burdened with limited time, Soul must engage in fierce battles against formidable adversaries and monstrous creatures while uncovering the mastermind behind the conspiracy that threatens his life.
Liang also revealed an intriguing connection between Phantom Blade Zero and S-Game’s previous creation, Rainblood: Town of Death. Originally released as an indie game in 2010 exclusively in China, Rainblood served as the foundation for developing the Phantom Blade franchise. With Phantom Blade Zero, the developers aim to breathe new life into its original creation. Considering it a spiritual rebirth and the realization of their long-standing vision. Unfortunately, no specific release date or window was announced for the game.
The PlayStation Showcase had a lot more to show, like Ghostrunner 2 which is coming out this year, Alan Wake 2 which got a release date, and new announcements like Sword of the Sea.