Phantom Blade Zero features RPG elements and Kung Fu Punk style

Phantom Blade Zero, an upcoming action title from China, is being developed with a strong emphasis on RPG elements and a unique “Kung Fu Punk” aesthetic. Producer Soulframe Liang has revealed that the game features over 50 different bosses, as players can obtain various main and sub-weapons dropped by defeated enemies.

The development process for boss encounters draws inspiration from Hong Kong action cinema, utilizing a method where developers provide a framework and allow for improvisational movement and action design to create more organic combat. Bosses are designed with specific mechanics, ranging from “weak gimmicks” that reward player skill to “strong gimmicks” that require specific strategies to overcome.

Gameplay experiences indicate the title sits between a linear action game and an open world, featuring villages and settlements for exploration and NPC interaction. The setting blends traditional Chinese landscapes, such as karst mountains, with industrial elements like steam-powered towers. Unlike many soulslike titles, defeated enemies in Phantom Blade Zero do not respawn, adding a layer of consequence to combat encounters.