Phantom Blade Zero Is Not a Soulslike, GamesRadar Reports

According to GamesRadar, Phantom Blade Zero is not a Soulslike game. Its combat and setting draw from wuxia storytelling traditions, a style of Chinese martial arts stories. The game's developer, S-Game, describes its look as "kungfupunk."

The game's director made an earlier game called Rainblood: Town of Death. Donnie Yen is credited as Creative Consultant. The story follows a character named Soul, who is left with 66 days to live.

Players explore a range of places. Locations include cliffs, a lake, fields, villages, caverns, and a lavish estate. The game offers 30 regular weapons to use in combat.

Enemies almost never respawn, which means defeated foes usually stay gone. Save and respawn points are usually placed generously, so players can return to the action without long walks. For players who want more challenge, a hardcore difficulty wipes progress after 66 deaths.

The game also has a Metroidvania-like element through Phantom Edges. The reviewer spent dozens of hours playing on a PC code provided by the publisher. The reviewer rates the game as one of the best action-adventures of the year.

The reviewer also noted some weak points. The storytelling is inconsistent, and the game was a little buggy before launch.