One of the most unexpected highlights of Sony’s PlayStation Showcase 2023 came in the form of the debut trailer for developer S-Game’s fast-paced samurai slasher, Phantom Blade 0. While the lengthy gameplay preview of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 that closed out the PlayStation Showcase was likely the high point of the stream for many viewers, Phantom Blade 0’s distinctive look and fast-paced combat helped it stand out even when put up against some of the more well-known titles on display.
Created by developer S-Game, Phantom Blade is a spiritual successor to the studio’s Phantom Blade franchise of mobile titles that were released only for the Chinese market. In Phantom Blade 0, gamers play as an assassin named Soul who has been framed for the murder of the leader of his former masters, an organization known as “The Order.” The debut trailer for the stylish action game shows Soul engaged in battle against a variety of unusual enemies in settings ranging from a run-down temple to the back of a runaway wagon. The game’s unique visual style not only helps it stand out in a market already crowded with action titles, but also reflects the influences that shaped its development.
In a post on the official PlayStation Blog, S-Game CEO and founder Soulframe Liang gave some insight into the inspirations behind Phantom Blade 0. Liang explains how Phantom Blade 0’s developers drew from a wide range of sources when creating the game, stating that it takes place in a universe with “Chinese Kungfu, intricate machines reminiscent of steampunk, arts of the occult, and intriguing stuff that doesn’t quite fit into any of these categories." The unique samurai title also took cues from the world of cinema, with both Bruce Lee’s filmography and the John Wick movies being cited as inspiration for what Liang describes as Phantom Blade 0’s “Kungfupunk” aesthetic.
Phantom Blade 0’s debut trailer spends most of its runtime showcasing the combat players will engage in as they make their way through the game’s semi-open world. Protagonist Soul, having been saved from certain death by a mystic healer’s makeshift cure, has just 66 days to discover who actually killed the leader of The Order and clear his name. Soul will have to fight through “powerful foes and inhuman monstrosities” using Kungfu and a variety of weapons to speedily dispatch his foes. S-Game is drawing on its history as a mobile game developer, where control options are constrained due to touchscreens, to ensure that PS5 players will be able to “execute elaborate chains of moves with a minimum amount of button-mashing.”
With its speedy, stylish combat and a roster of creative and eye-catching enemies that give even Black Myth: Wukong’s mythical monsters a run for their money, Phantom Blade 0 looks set to deliver a unique action experience. And if S-Game can ensure that the game plays as good as it looks, PS5 owners will be in for a treat whenever Phantom Blade 0 releases.
Phantom Blade 0 is currently in development for PS5.
Source: PlayStation Blog