Phantom Blade Zero

Phantom Blade Zero is an action role-playing game. It is played from a third-person perspective.{{cite web |author1=祝思齐 |title=《影之刃零》夏日游戏节登场，线下巡回试玩开启 |url=https://www.chuapp.com/article/290019.html |website=ChuApp |date=10 June 2024 |language=zh |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20250130175128/https://www.chuapp.com/article/290019.html |archivedate=30 January 2025}} The story campaign is strictly a single-player experience, while certain endgame content is available as multiplayer experiences.

The player controls Soul, an elite assassin serving a mysterious and powerful organization known as The Order. He carries two primary weapons and two secondary weapons.{{cite web |author1=刹翼 |author2=日立 |title=帅到不像实机的中式武侠战斗，真让他们做出来了！影之刃零线下抢先试玩分享【UCG】 |url=https://www.ucg.cn/newsinfo/7281262.html |website=Ultra Console Game |date=14 June 2024 |language=zh |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20250218180114/https://www.ucg.cn/newsinfo/7281262.html |archivedate=18 February 2025}}{{cite web |last1=Madsen |first1=Hayes |title=Phantom Blade Zero Already Feels Like the Next Black Myth Wukong |url=https://www.inverse.com/gaming/phantom-blade-zero-preview |website=Inverse |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250326203354/https://www.inverse.com/gaming/phantom-blade-zero-preview |archive-date=26 March 2025 |date=26 March 2025}} The primary weapons consist of various blades. Each primary weapon has a Power Surge, which is an ultimate ability that costs a Sha-Chi Essense point to activate. The secondary weapons consist of Phantom Edges,{{cite web |last1=Bergin |first1=Lauren |title=2025's slickest soulslike shows off new weapons, and the coolest boss fight I've ever seen |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/phantom-blade-zero/year-of-the-snake-trailer |website=PCGamesN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250211081544/https://www.pcgamesn.com/phantom-blade-zero/year-of-the-snake-trailer |archive-date=11 February 2025 |date=22 January 2025}} which comprise a range of diverse weapons such as canons, lances, axes, hammers, and more. Soulframe Liang described the game's action as "In Phantom Blade Zero, combat happens at an extremely fast pace. Movement is rapid, attack frequency is high, and you can perform maneuvers like running along walls, teleporting behind enemies, and executing sudden cinematic finishers that dynamically shift the camera to wide or close-up angles, making it feel like you’re in a Kung Fu movie."{{cite web |last1=Cichacki |first1=Shaun |title=Soulframe, CEO of S-Game and the Creator of ‘Phantom Blade Zero,’ Details How It Differs From Any Other Action Game on the Market (Exclusive Interview) |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/soulframe-ceo-of-s-game-and-the-creator-of-phantom-blade-zero-details-how-it-differs-from-any-other-action-game-on-the-market-exclusive-interview/ |website=VICE |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250225020933/https://www.vice.com/en/article/soulframe-ceo-of-s-game-and-the-creator-of-phantom-blade-zero-details-how-it-differs-from-any-other-action-game-on-the-market-exclusive-interview/ |archive-date=25 February 2025 |date=24 February 2025}}

Defensive maneuvers consist of blocking, parrying, and dodging.{{cite web |title=Going Hands-on With Phantom Blade Zero {{!}} IGN LIVE 2024 |url=https://www.ign.com/videos/going-hands-on-with-phantom-blade-zero-ign-live-2024 |website=IGN |date=8 June 2024}} {{YouTube|id=4Pi7u7sm09g|link=no}} However, enemies can do Brutal Moves that drain a lot of Sha-Chi when blocked and Killer Moves that can not be blocked or parried. Sha-Chi is a combat resource used for actions related to blocking and non-basic combos. A Ghostep is triggered when a Brutal Move is parried or a Killer Move is dodged right before it lands, which positions the player character behind the enemy.

The game is set in a semi-open world,{{Cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/the-incredible-looking-phantom-blade-0-is-a-semi-open-world-rebirth-of-a-dollar7-indie-jrpg/ |title=The incredible-looking Phantom Blade 0 is a semi-open-world "rebirth" of a $7 indie JRPG |date=27 May 2023 |website=GamesRadar+ |last=Bailey |first=Dustin |archive-date=12 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240812003525/https://www.gamesradar.com/the-incredible-looking-phantom-blade-0-is-a-semi-open-world-rebirth-of-a-dollar7-indie-jrpg/}}{{cite web |author1=Edward |title=半開放世界功夫龐克冒險遊戲《影之刃 零》亮相 化身僅剩 66 日餘命的刺客追緝真兇 |url=https://gnn.gamer.com.tw/detail.php?sn=250279 |website=巴哈姆特 |language=zh |date=25 May 2023 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725145421/https://gnn.gamer.com.tw/detail.php?sn=250279 |archivedate=25 July 2023}} comprising interconnected regions.{{cite web |last1=Gerblick |first1=Jordan |title="It's just like the Souls games before Elden Ring": Phantom Blade Zero director walks us through this action RPG's seamless, non-linear map |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/games/action-rpg/dev-behind-action-rpg-phantom-blade-zero-says-its-seamless-non-linear-map-is-just-like-the-souls-games-before-elden-ring/ |website=GamesRadar+ |date=24 July 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240806125801/https://www.gamesradar.com/games/action-rpg/dev-behind-action-rpg-phantom-blade-zero-says-its-seamless-non-linear-map-is-just-like-the-souls-games-before-elden-ring/ |archivedate=6 August 2024}} Some areas may be initially inaccessible, while progression to these places is non-linear with multiple possible paths. The story features multiple endings and is influenced by side quests.

The game offers multiple difficulty options that affect various elements including stats and mechanics in higher passes. The extreme mode is unlocked after a first playthrough and provides a high difficulty that modifies enemy AIs, such as removing combos, to replicate a "PvP-like experience" in the gameplay.{{cite web |last1=Velde |first1=Issy van der |title=People said it wasn't hard enough, so one Phantom Blade Zero dev cooked up a hardcore difficulty mode that changes enemy AI so much it feels more like PvP |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/games/action-rpg/people-said-it-wasnt-hard-enough-so-one-phantom-blade-zero-dev-cooked-up-a-hardcore-difficulty-mode-that-changes-enemy-ai-so-much-it-feels-more-like-pvp/ |website=GamesRadar+ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250421162956/https://www.gamesradar.com/games/action-rpg/people-said-it-wasnt-hard-enough-so-one-phantom-blade-zero-dev-cooked-up-a-hardcore-difficulty-mode-that-changes-enemy-ai-so-much-it-feels-more-like-pvp/|archive-date=21 April 2025 |date=21 April 2025}} The game includes a New Game Plus mode.{{cite web |last1=Hussain |first1=Tamoor |last2=James |first2=Lucy |last3=Li |first3=Richard |last4=Seipke |first4=Jean-Luc |last5=Blumenthal |first5=Max |title=Phantom Blade Devs Explain Why It Isn't a Souls-Like OR Hack n Slash |url=https://www.gamespot.com/videos/phantom-blade-devs-explain-why-it-isnt-a-souls-like-or-hack-n-slash/2300-6465820/ |website=GameSpot |date=25 March 2025}} {{YouTube|id=WCClGv4MNDA|link=no}}.

Phantom Blade Zero adapts the Chinese wuxia tradition.{{cite web |last1=Palumbo |first1=Alessio |title=Phantom Blade Zero Q&A - Dev Says Bosses are the Game's Highlights, Confirms Hardware Ray Tracing & PS5 Specs |url=https://wccftech.com/phantom-blade-zero-qa-dev-says-bosses-are-the-games-highlights-confirms-hardware-ray-tracing-ps5-specs/ |website=Wccftech |date=28 July 2023 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20250127082252/https://wccftech.com/phantom-blade-zero-qa-dev-says-bosses-are-the-games-highlights-confirms-hardware-ray-tracing-ps5-specs/ |archivedate=27 January 2025}} It introduces specifically kungfupunk, as Soulframe Liang terms it,{{efn|Soulframe Liang uses the term kungfupunk in English, but he interchangeably uses the terms wuxiapunk (武侠朋克) and kungfupunk (功夫朋克) in Chinese.}} to create a distinctive style.{{Cite web |last=Liang |first=Soulframe |date=24 May 2023 |title=Phantom Blade Zero: a new beginning in a long journey |url=https://blog.playstation.com/2023/05/24/phantom-blade-zero-a-new-beginning-in-a-long-journey/ |website=PlayStation.Blog |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20250212165410/https://blog.playstation.com/2023/05/24/phantom-blade-zero-a-new-beginning-in-a-long-journey/ |archivedate=12 February 2025}}{{cite web |last1=Hashimoto |first1=Kazuma |title=Phantom Blade Zero is a "kung fu punk" action RPG that wants to follow in the footsteps of Black Myth Wukong: "there's a lot of pressure on us, but I think in a good way" |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/games/action-rpg/phantom-blade-zero-is-a-kung-fu-punk-action-rpg-that-wants-to-follow-in-the-footsteps-of-black-myth-wukong-theres-a-lot-of-pressure-on-us-but-i-think-in-a-good-way/ |website=GamesRadar+ |date=21 January 2025 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20250212135657/https://www.gamesradar.com/games/action-rpg/phantom-blade-zero-is-a-kung-fu-punk-action-rpg-that-wants-to-follow-in-the-footsteps-of-black-myth-wukong-theres-a-lot-of-pressure-on-us-but-i-think-in-a-good-way/ |archivedate=12 February 2025}}{{cite web |author1=一柳渡江 |title=游民采访《影之刃零》制作人：不担心被人与《黑神话》比较 |url=https://www.gamersky.com/news/202407/1787986.shtml |website=GamerSky |language=zh |date=16 July 2024 |pages=1–3 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20250214141420/https://www.gamersky.com/news/202407/1787986.shtml |archivedate=14 February 2025}} He described it as a subgenre that blends kungfu with steampunk and cyberpunk. When asked about the challenges of introducing unfamiliar cultural themes to Western audiences, Liang contends that although such themes may present initial challenges, games that deliver high quality and enjoyable experiences can turn these themes into an advantage that draws in players.{{cite web |author1=Kazuhisa |title=［インタビュー］「Phantom Blade Zero」の社長が語る，中国でわざわざコンソールゲームを作るということ―――夢がある人なら，延々とモバイルゲームを開発したいだなんて思わないでしょう |url=https://www.4gamer.net/games/709/G070971/20241010065/ |website=4Gamer |language=ja |date=15 October 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20250108234626/https://www.4gamer.net/games/709/G070971/20241010065/ |archivedate=8 January 2025}} Partially translated and adapted in {{cite web |last1=Vjestica |first1=Amber |title=Phantom Blade Zero devs say cultural differences are not a barrier in games but a plus, which is why they don't tone down themes for the West |url=https://automaton-media.com/en/news/phantom-blade-zero-devs-say-cultural-differences-are-not-a-barrier-in-games-but-a-plus-which-is-why-they-dont-tone-down-themes-for-the-west/ |website=Automaton |date=16 October 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20241117133344/https://automaton-media.com/en/news/phantom-blade-zero-devs-say-cultural-differences-are-not-a-barrier-in-games-but-a-plus-which-is-why-they-dont-tone-down-themes-for-the-west/ |archivedate=17 November 2024}} Cited in {{cite web |last1=Randall |first1=Harvey |title=Phantom Blade Zero devs say they don't want to water down the game for foreigners—in fact, quite the opposite |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/action/phantom-blade-zero-devs-say-they-dont-want-to-water-down-the-game-for-foreigners-in-fact-quite-the-opposite/ |website=PC Gamer |date=16 October 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20250205162544/https://www.pcgamer.com/games/action/phantom-blade-zero-devs-say-they-dont-want-to-water-down-the-game-for-foreigners-in-fact-quite-the-opposite/ |archivedate=5 February 2025}}

The game takes place in the Phantom World.{{cite web |title=Exclusive Developer Interview ft. Phantom Blade Zero |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/exclusive-developer-interview-ft-phantom-blade-zero |website=IGN |date=19 October 2023 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20231104094840/https://www.ign.com/articles/exclusive-developer-interview-ft-phantom-blade-zero |archivedate=4 November 2023}} It is a universe based on China during the Ming dynasty, with elements of wuxia, steampunk, cyberpunk, dark fantasy, horror, and more.

The assassin Soul is framed for the murder of The Order's patriarch. He is gravely wounded during the manhunt that followed, but he is kept alive by a mystic healer’s temporary cure—one that will last just 66 days. With time running out, Soul sets out to uncover the truth behind the conspiracy.

Phantom Blade Zero is a game developed and published by S-GAME.{{cite web |title=Phantom Blade Zero |url=https://www.gematsu.com/games/phantom-blade-zero |website=Gematsu |date= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241207163520/https://www.gematsu.com/games/phantom-blade-zero |archive-date=7 December 2024}} According to Soulframe Liang, the game marks a return to its origins, drawing from the story foundations of his indie games Rainblood: Town of Death and Rainblood 2: City of Flame, and introduces a lot of new content.{{cite web |author1=祝佳音 |title=梁其伟的选择II - 触乐 |url=https://www.chuapp.com/article/288274.html |website=ChuApp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230525143043/https://www.chuapp.com/article/288274.html |archive-date=25 May 2023 |date=30 September 2021 |language=zh}} He presented the game as "the spiritual rebirth of the original Rainblood" upon its announcement. The game is built on Unreal Engine 5.{{cite web |author1=彭楚微 |title=在索尼全球发布会上，《影之刃零》选择回归原点 |url=https://www.chuapp.com/article/289317.html |website=ChuApp |language=zh |date=25 May 2023 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20241129215535/https://www.chuapp.com/article/289317.html |archivedate=29 November 2024}}

In an interview published in June 2024, Liang stated that the development team had officially been working on Phantom Blade Zero for about two years.{{cite web |last1=Takahashi |first1=Dean |title=How Phantom Blade Zero is an accessible Soulslike game {{!}} Soulframe Liang interview |url=https://venturebeat.com/games/how-phantom-blade-zero-is-an-accessible-soulslike-game-soulframe-liang-interview/ |website=VentureBeat |date=19 June 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20241207114149/https://venturebeat.com/games/how-phantom-blade-zero-is-an-accessible-soulslike-game-soulframe-liang-interview/ |archivedate=7 December 2024}} Prior to this phase, the studio shared a few early concepts and other preliminary work.{{cite web |author=梁萧 |title=ChinaJoy 2017：《影之刃Zero》角色设定图公布 黑魂设计师操刀 |url=https://www.gamersky.com/news/201707/934309.shtml |website=GamerSky |language=zh |date=26 July 2017 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20250205115348/https://www.gamersky.com/news/201707/934309.shtml |archivedate=5 February 2025}}{{cite web |author1=小小白 |title=《影之刃Zero》概念图公开 充满黑暗诡异元素 |url=https://www.gamersky.com/news/201709/956614.shtml |website=GamerSky |language=zh |date=15 September 2017 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20250205091901/https://www.gamersky.com/news/201709/956614.shtml |archivedate=5 February 2025}}{{cite web |author1=观海 |title=国产单机《雨血》系列新作《影之刃Zero》人设图 左殇、黑伤·魂英气逼人 |url=https://www.gamersky.com/news/201710/962991.shtml |website=GamerSky |language=zh |date=1 October 2017 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20250131082014/https://www.gamersky.com/news/201710/962991.shtml |archivedate=31 January 2025}}{{cite web |author1=明镜Mirror |title=国产单机《雨血》系列新作《影之刃zero》建模图 细节精湛、画面进步巨大 |url=https://www.gamersky.com/news/201711/984864.shtml |website=GamerSky |language=zh |date=30 November 2017 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20250130175438/https://www.gamersky.com/news/201711/984864.shtml |archivedate=30 January 2025}} This included, for example, concept art of four characters designed by Michael Chang, which was shown during ChinaJoy 2017. Back in May 2017, they revealed that the game would be developed using Unreal Engine 4.{{cite web |author1=短笛酱 |title=《雨血》新作代号《影之刃zero》 虚幻4打造3D画面 顶尖团队支持 |url=https://www.gamersky.com/news/201705/903569.shtml |website=GamerSky |language=zh |date=11 May 2017 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20250206230335/https://www.gamersky.com/news/201705/903569.shtml |archivedate=6 February 2025}}{{cite web |author1=梁其伟 |title=灵游坊接下来两年中的产品及发展规划 - 触乐 |url=https://www.chuapp.com/article/283066.html |website=ChuApp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211203015821/https://www.chuapp.com/article/283066.html |archive-date=3 December 2021 |date=12 May 2017 |language=zh}} This engine was chosen, because the decision was made to shift from the 2D graphics reminiscent of the previous games to 3D graphics around the Chinese New Year in 2017. However, the project was put on hold in 2018 due to the perceived unfavorable environment for developing their envisioned kind of game, but interest was revived in 2021 after conditions became more conducive.{{cite web |author1=彭楚微 |title=梁其伟，再次选择 |url=https://www.chuapp.com/article/289359.html |website=ChuApp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250407161444/https://www.chuapp.com/article/289359.html |archive-date=7 April 2025 |language=zh |date=20 June 2023}} In 2021, after learning about the studio's plans to develop expansive PC and console games, Tencent offered and established financial support along with other necessary assistance through a partnership. These plans were for the action role-playing games Phantom Blade Zero and Stellar Saga, the latter depicting a story in space about humanity's struggle for survival amid a high-dimensional war between advanced civilizations.

S-GAME originally envisioned Phantom Blade Zero as a smaller game, but the attention garnered at the PlayStation Showcase in May 2023 prompted the studio to drastically increase the scale and fully commit to the project.{{cite web |last1=Madsen |first1=Hayes |title=Phantom Blade Zero Already Feels Like the Next Black Myth Wukong |url=https://www.inverse.com/gaming/phantom-blade-zero-preview |website=Inverse |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250326203354/https://www.inverse.com/gaming/phantom-blade-zero-preview |archive-date=26 March 2025 |date=26 March 2025}} The Inverse article refers to the PlayStation Showcase as the PlayStation State of Play. In an interview shortly after the showcase, Liang admitted that he was nervous leading up to the event, but that the international reception boosted their confidence and that years earlier, Feng Ji, the producer of Black Myth: Wukong, encouraged him to create a single-player game that could captivate players worldwide.{{cite web |author1=奕剑者柴王 |title=我们跟《影之刃零》制作人聊了聊，但是没见到兰博基尼 |url=https://www.gamersky.com/news/202306/1605949_2.shtml |website=GamerSky |pages=1–2 |language=zh |date=9 June 2023 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20250225121906/https://www.gamersky.com/news/202306/1605949_2.shtml |archivedate=25 February 2025}} Another turning point came with the highly successful launch of Black Myth: Wukong in 2024, which increased interest in Phantom Blade Zero and led to additional funding for the game from investors. Liang commented that "It's not necessarily changed our [expectations], but maybe it's changed others' expectations and anticipation of us. We did receive more resources, but we also received more pressure from the success of Black Myth: Wukong."{{cite web |last1=Nightingale |first1=Ed |title=How Black Myth: Wukong has changed the game for Chinese developers |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/how-black-myth-wukong-has-changed-the-game-for-chinese-developers |website=Eurogamer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250514060545/https://www.eurogamer.net/how-black-myth-wukong-has-changed-the-game-for-chinese-developers |archive-date=14 May 2025 |date=13 May 2025}} An article published in March 2025 stated that S-GAME was currently employing about 100 developers for Phantom Blade Zero.{{cite web |last1=Fenlon |first1=Wes |title=Game director Soulframe Liang has used his online nickname for so long he even trademarked it in China, and when Digital Extremes and Tencent came knocking for the Warframe sequel? 'I'm not selling' |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/game-director-soulframe-liang-has-used-his-online-nickname-for-so-long-he-even-trademarked-it-in-china-and-when-digital-extremes-and-tencent-came-knocking-for-the-warframe-sequel-im-not-selling/ |website=PC Gamer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250331223535/https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/game-director-soulframe-liang-has-used-his-online-nickname-for-so-long-he-even-trademarked-it-in-china-and-when-digital-extremes-and-tencent-came-knocking-for-the-warframe-sequel-im-not-selling/ |archive-date=31 March 2025 |date=31 March 2025}}

File:第55屆金馬獎最佳動作設計獎《邪不壓正》.jpg serves as the action director for Phantom Blade Zero.]]

The developers aimed to design the game's combat based on Chinese martial arts, drawing inspiration from classic Hong Kong martial arts films and working closely with martial arts instructors. For the action design process, the team embarked on a nationwide search to trace the roots of Chinese martial arts and visited their inheritors throughout the country.{{cite web |author1=张熠 |author2=钟菡 |title=专访国产单机游戏《影之刃零》制作人梁其伟：让全球玩家“玩”武打！ |url=https://www.jfdaily.com/staticsg/res/html/web/newsDetail.html?id=863423 |website=Jiefang Daily |language=zh |date=21 February 2025 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20250221190809/https://www.jfdaily.com/staticsg/res/html/web/newsDetail.html?id=863423 |archivedate=21 February 2025}} This included, for example, masters from the Shaolin Temple, Emei Mountain, and Guangdong's Southern Lion Troupes, among others. Liang commented that they wanted to create authentic martial arts action, emphasizing the importance of immersing themselves by going to the communities, mountains, and temples to engage in discussions and train together in order to understand the essence of the martial arts. Motion capture of performances by martial artists was used for the movements of different characters. Kenji Tanigaki served as the action director for the game.

A crucial aspect in the action design was that the gameplay embodied the philosophies of Chinese martial arts. For instance, Liang explained that while defense might mean making a simple blocking motion in other contexts, Chinese martial arts traditionally involve responding to the opponent's movement—defending while simultaneously attacking. He said that their goal is not just for players to perform martial arts moves, but also to understand and apply the principles behind them. For example, a journalist who played a game demo described his experience comparatively to kungfu and wuxia films as "The style of these fights often sees attack bouncing off attack, rather than a push-pull of more structured offense and defense. I was overreacting to each enemy's swings—actually just meant to deflect my own blows—as if they were incoming attacks. What makes for dazzling cinema can be a bit harder to read in a game, though the motion capture in Phantom Blade Zero looks just as cool as the real thing, a testament to the experts S-Game worked with." Furthermore, the action design also emphasized the fluidity of movements through a rich animation set for elements such as transitions (to provide a natural flow from one action into the next), contextual execution moves, dynamic environmental interactions, and multi-target combat mechanics.

Each of the game's weapons was designed with unique action mechanics to ensure they remained novel to use rather than limited by common weapon types. The team took this approach, because they believed that just shared basic action mechanics would diminish the distinctiveness of each weapon. For instance, a journalist who played a game demo noted how some weapons had entirely unique mechanics, giving the example of the Soft Snake Sword as a weapon that "has a different, more aggressive parry than other weapons but slows down your movement, making it a better counter for a one-on-one boss fight than a gang."{{cite web |last1=Fenlon |first1=Wes |title=Chinese action game Phantom Blade Zero didn't click for me until I realized its deep commitment to wuxia film authenticity meant I had to relearn how swords work |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/action/chinese-action-game-phantom-blade-zero-didnt-click-for-me-until-i-realized-its-deep-commitment-to-wuxia-film-authenticity-meant-i-had-to-relearn-how-swords-work/ |website=PC Gamer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250329195617/https://www.pcgamer.com/games/action/chinese-action-game-phantom-blade-zero-didnt-click-for-me-until-i-realized-its-deep-commitment-to-wuxia-film-authenticity-meant-i-had-to-relearn-how-swords-work/ |archive-date=29 March 2025 |date=27 March 2025}}

In addition to the martial arts, the team adapted other Chinese traditions such as southern China's ancestral hall worship rituals, Guangdong's lion dances, Zhejiang's puppetry, Fujian's deity processions, Jiangxi's nuo masks, Sichuan's bianlian (face changing), Beijing opera, imperial ceremonies, and more. Liang said that he hopes to help pass on folk culture and intangible cultural heritage. For instance, the action design of the enemy boss Chief Disciple of the Seven Stars draws inspiration from the sword techniques of Emei. This particular boss consists of seven swordsmen, each controlled by an individual AI and a shared group AI, allowing them to act independently, work in formations, and interact with each other.{{cite web |author1=祝思齐 |title=《影之刃零》蛇年PV："比好更好"是可以做到的吗？ |url=https://www.chuapp.com/article/290451.html |website=ChuApp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250125171256/https://www.chuapp.com/article/290451.html |archive-date=25 January 2025 |language=zh |date=25 January 2025}} Meanwhile, the action design of the Chief Disciple's Fallen Hope, the boss' second phase which manifests as a swordman puppeteered through red strings, draws inspiration from Chinese stringed puppetry using an exaggerated aerial interpretation of the traditional performance style.{{cite web |author1=何者 |title=《影之刃零》蛇年新春实机PV公开，双蛇大破七星阵！|url=https://www.ali213.net/news/html/2025-1/902003.html |website=遊俠網 |language=zh |date=22 January 2025 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20250122085258/https://www.ali213.net/news/html/2025-1/902003.html |archivedate=22 January 2025}}

Phantom Blade Zero is scheduled to release for PC and PlayStation 5.

During an anniversary concert for the Rainblood series on 22 November 2016, S-GAME revealed that the series would be remade with an extended plot in a new game codenamed Phantom Blade Zero (影之刃Zero).{{cite web |author1=小熊桑 |title=国产单机《雨血》系列确认重制 剧情延展至"荒城"之后 |url=https://www.gamersky.com/news/201611/837776.shtml |website=GamerSky |language=zh |date=22 November 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20250214132633/https://www.gamersky.com/news/201611/837776.shtml |archivedate=14 February 2025}}

During the PlayStation Showcase on 24 May 2023, S-GAME released a trailer announcing Phantom Blade Zero.{{cite web |last1=Kennedy |first1=Victoria |title=Slick looking action-RPG Phantom Blade Zero blends Chinese martial arts with "punk spirit" |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/slick-looking-action-rpg-phantom-blade-zero-blends-chinese-martial-arts-with-punk-spirit |website=Eurogamer |date=25 May 2023 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20250108151211/https://www.eurogamer.net/slick-looking-action-rpg-phantom-blade-zero-blends-chinese-martial-arts-with-punk-spirit |archivedate=8 January 2025}} In January 2025, they released a trailer celebrating the upcoming Year of the Snake which revealed that a release date would be announced in 2025.{{cite web |title=中国武术的绝巅！《影之刃零》新春演示"满屏喊帅"，震惊玩家和同行 |url=http://www.gamelook.com.cn/2025/01/563180 |website=GameLook |language=zh |date=23 January 2025 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20250130175712/http://www.gamelook.com.cn/2025/01/563180 |archivedate=30 January 2025}}{{cite web |last1=Nightingale |first1=Ed |title=Phantom Blade Zero trailer shows fresh gameplay, but it's still without a release date |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/phantom-blade-zero-trailer-shows-fresh-gameplay-but-its-still-without-a-release-date |website=Eurogamer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250122112429/https://www.eurogamer.net/phantom-blade-zero-trailer-shows-fresh-gameplay-but-its-still-without-a-release-date |archive-date=22 January 2025 |date=22 January 2025}}

Phantom Blade Zero won Most Anticipated Game and was nominated for Phenomenon of the Year at the UCG Game Awards 2024.For the nominations, see {{cite web |title=UCG游戏大赏2024全奖项提名公开！ |url=https://www.ucg.cn/newsinfo/7900806.html |website=Ultra Console Game |date=27 December 2024 |language=zh |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20250404235352/https://www.ucg.cn/newsinfo/7900806.html |archivedate=4 April 2025}} For the results, see {{cite web |title=UGA2024圆满结束！全奖项获奖游戏和厂商公开！|url=https://www.ucg.cn/newsinfo/7965353.html |website=Ultra Console Game |date=15 January 2025 |language=zh |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20250405172533/https://www.ucg.cn/newsinfo/7965353.html |archivedate=5 April 2025}}For the results, see {{cite web |author1=沁雅畅慧 |title=「UCG 游戏大赏 2024」颁奖典礼圆满结束 |url=https://gouhuo.qq.com/content/detail/0_20250116184721_pWIjG7Ok3 |website=Game Bonfire |date=16 January 2025 |language=zh | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20250121094404/https://gouhuo.qq.com/content/detail/0_20250116184721_pWIjG7Ok3 |archivedate=21 January 2025}}

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

{{refbegin}}

• [https://pbz.s-game.com/ Phantom Blade Zero official website].
• [https://www.youtube.com/@PhantomBladeZero Phantom Blade Zero] on YouTube.
• [https://x.com/pbzero_official Phantom Blade Zero] on Twitter.

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