Phantom Blade Zero Playtime Estimated to be 20-30 Hours with Adjustable Difficulty

Get ready for Phantom Blade Zero, boasting four difficulty settings and exciting gameplay features! This 2025 title promises a thrilling experience. Learn more about its development and what awaits players.

Development Updates: A Hack-and-Slash Experience, Not a Soulslike

Contrary to initial Soulslike comparisons sparked by its aesthetic and combat, Phantom Blade Zero offers four difficulty levels: Easy, Ordinary, Difficult, and Extremely Difficult. Game Director Soulframe clarified on Twitter that the game isn't a Soulslike, aiming instead for "combo-driven, heart-pumping combat that is hectic, rewarding, and exhilarating." While inspired by Soulslike games in its level design (multi-layered maps, multiple paths, hidden areas), the core gameplay is distinct. Soulframe describes it as "Ninja Gaiden Combat on a Souls Game Map," blending fast-paced action with exploration.

Gameplay Details: Weapons, Playtime, and More

Recent interviews revealed further details:

• Extensive Arsenal: Over 30 primary and 20 secondary weapons, each with unique combat properties.
• Substantial Playtime: Expect 20-30 hours for the main story, plus an additional 20-30 hours of side content.
• Innovative Boss Fights: Two-phase boss battles allowing players to restart from the second phase if they fall.
• "Li Wulin" Mode: Re-fight defeated bosses to unlock hidden challenges.
• Impactful Choices: A mechanic influencing the game's ending, though the specifics remain undisclosed.

"Year of the Snake" Gameplay Trailer

The recently released "Year of the Snake" trailer showcases Soul, the protagonist, battling the "Chief Disciple of The Seven Stars," and highlights weapons like the "Weapon No.13 Soft Snake Sword" and "Weapon No.27 White Serpent and Crimson Viper." A 2025 release is hinted at. The development team promises more exciting announcements throughout the year.

Phantom Blade Zero is currently under development for PlayStation 5, with a PC release planned. No official release date has been announced. Stay tuned for updates on our Phantom Blade Zero page.