Action RPG

Phantom Blade Zero Takes Inspiration from Souls Games For Exploration and Resident Evil for Vibes – Director

BBG News

Although the creators of Phantom Blade Zero have emphasized that its gameplay will resemble Devil May Cry 5 more than it will Dark Souls, they’ve also made it clear that they draw inspiration from various games, particularly FromSoftware’s Souls series.

As a fervent admirer, I’m sharing my thoughts following an engaging chat with S-Game, where they revealed the diverse influences behind Phantom Blade Zero. The combative elements were modeled after Devil May Cry, while the studio is drawing inspiration from the Souls series for designing the game levels. Resident Evil, in contrast, is serving as a source of inspiration for crafting the narrative design and overall mood of the game.

A representative from S-Game expressed their admiration for and influence by the intricate, interconnected level designs prevalent before Elden Ring. They also highlighted that the game’s director, Liang of Soulframe, has an architectural background, emphasizing the significance of strong, multi-layered, and densely populated level designs in their work.

Liang himself shared insights about the diverse sources that shaped the creation of Phantom Blade Zero, explaining to GamesRadar that the game resembles a Resident Evil title, but with a strong focus on sword combat.

Initially, people assumed we were creating a game similar to “Souls”. However, to demonstrate our unique combat system for the main gameplay, we’re presenting these combat demos. Now, some might think it’s a hack-and-slash without a story or any purpose other than killing until the end, but that’s not accurate. Instead, it’s more akin to “Resident Evil”, except the battles are carried out with blades.

As an avid gamer myself, I can’t help but share my excitement about Phantom Blade Zero! This upcoming title promises a unique blend of core gameplay elements, including fast-paced action, character development, and exploration. The exploration aspect is reminiscent of the Souls games, offering a rich, immersive world to traverse. Moreover, the overall vibe of the game seems to draw inspiration from the chilling atmosphere of Resident Evil. Can’t wait to delve deeper into this intriguing blend of action and adventure!

He explained, “Whatever elements – be it character development, exploration, or combat styles from games like ‘Souls’ or ‘Resident Evil’, or even a hack-and-slash game – that are beneficial for creating our unique kung fu movie, we will incorporate them. However, the final product won’t be a haphazard amalgamation of different sources. Instead, it will remain consistent and cohesive.

Fundamentally, S-Game aspires to resurrect the thrill of classic kung fu action in a unique fashion. According to them, their design philosophies and principles are the foundation that upholds everything in Phantom Blade Zero. If any one element were to falter, it would potentially undermine the entire game as well.

Liang stated, “Our game is built on strong beliefs and values. Without these foundations, each genre-specific element might seem disjointed. We aim to recapture the essence of Chinese kung fu films from the ’70s, following Bruce Lee, right up to possibly the early 2000s. Our goal is to reignite enthusiasm for these movies. Additionally, we’re striving to resurrect the glory days of PlayStation 1 and 2 gaming.

At the moment, the game titled “Phantom Blade Zero” is being worked on for both PC and PlayStation 5. As of now, there’s no announced launch date, but the developers might be aiming for a Fall 2026 release period. Previously, they’ve mentioned that it will take players approximately 20 to 30 hours to complete the game.

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2025-04-18 18:11

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