Phantom Blade Zero Has More Endings Than Elden Ring

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So far, information about Phantom Blade Zero has highlighted its exciting and varied combat system, and for good reason. While the action looks fantastic, the game also promises a story with many branching paths and more possible endings than Elden Ring.

In a recent Game Rant interview, the creator of Phantom Blade Zero, Soulframe, shared information about how long the game will be, how its story branches, and the number of different endings players can achieve based on their choices. Surprisingly, despite offering more endings than Elden Ring, Phantom Blade Zero is expected to be about half as long. It appears these endings aren’t determined by huge decisions, but rather by the smaller choices players make during the game.

Phantom Blade Zero’s Story Rewards the Thorough

While game length isn’t the only factor, it definitely influences purchasing decisions for many players – some prefer to buy a game right away, while others wait for a discount. There’s no set rule for how long a game should be to justify its price, as it varies depending on the type of game, its quality, and what the player enjoys. Generally, story-focused single-player games are around 20 to 30 hours long, and open-world RPGs tend to be much longer. However, it appears Phantom Blade Zero will likely be closer to the length of these more traditional story-driven games, as Soulframe explained in a recent interview:

The main story should take around 20 to 30 hours to complete. However, if you don’t explore other options, you could get an unfavorable ending.

Okay, so I’m hearing the main story in Phantom Blade Zero will probably take me around 20 to 30 hours to beat, which is about the same length as games like God of War (2018), Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, and Control. But here’s the interesting part: Soulframe says just rushing through the story will get you a “bad ending.” That means there are multiple endings, and the game actually rewards you for exploring and being thorough. Basically, if you want the real ending, you’ll need to put in the time to really dig into everything, and it’ll make the game even longer. Soulframe went on to say…

The game has eight different endings, determined by how many optional quests you finish. These endings reveal more about the story and its characters. How you experience certain parts of the game – specifically, whether you have certain items or not – will also change what happens, leading to unique outcomes. Having those items before reaching key points will further affect the ending you receive.

The story of Phantom Blade Zero will unfold based largely on what players choose to do and collect outside of the main quest, though some side content will offer branching paths. While Soulframe didn’t detail significant choices within side quests, they confirmed completing them will unlock different endings. Importantly, collecting items will also impact the story. Phantom Blade Zero will essentially check if players possess certain items at key moments, and the narrative will change course depending on whether they do, leading to varied conclusions.

One of the most notable aspects of Phantom Blade Zero‘s story is that it offers eight different endings – two more than Elden Ring. Like Elden Ring, achieving these endings appears to rely on completing various side quests. This design choice is similar to what we’ve seen in games like the Mass Effect series and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, where side quests heavily influence the outcome of the story.

Despite the endings of Phantom Blade Zero depending heavily on optional content rather than key story decisions, the game won’t leave players in the dark. Soulframe says players will receive hints indicating which side activities could affect the story’s outcome, prompting them to investigate further or skip them altogether. Soulframe further clarified:

You’ll receive hints and clues as you progress. If you’re engaged with the story, you’ll recognize them. Try to approach situations as the main character would – the clues aren’t meant to be deeply hidden, they’re fairly noticeable. You’ll understand when you see them. Keep an eye out for information in the environment, and talk to characters – they’ll offer clues to help you discover what’s happening.

Soulframe aims to make sure players always understand how their actions impact the story in Phantom Blade Zero. The game will provide clear hints – through characters, notes, or story details – if a decision, side quest, or item will change the ending. Instead of relying on accidental discoveries, the game wants players to actively recognize and understand the consequences of their choices.

Phantom Blade Zero appears to be a game that encourages players to take their time and explore optional content instead of rushing through the main storyline. The main story takes around 20 to 30 hours to complete, which is typical for many full-priced, story-focused games. With 8 different endings, players will be motivated to see multiple outcomes, and achieving the best ending will require them to fully explore everything the game has to offer.

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2025-12-18 15:05