Tright here’s one thing a couple of slick motion sport with fast-paced fight that feels nearly evergreen. Moving into the footwear of a personality that may unleash devastating strikes with fashion is an influence journey that I all the time prefer to take pleasure in.
In lots of instances, I’d be fairly forgiving of graphical limitations in the event that they don’t get in the way in which of a sick fight loop – a sentiment that has stored FromSoftware in my good books for fairly some time now! Nonetheless, titles like Lies of P, Black Fantasy: Wukong, and, most just lately, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers have modified that view.
That’s as a result of higher graphics imply it’s simpler to learn enemy assault animations and reply accordingly, whereas I can’t scoff at among the sheer grandeur that many areas within the titles I discussed boast of. Combining kind and performance appears to be the way in which ahead for motion video games, and there may be an upcoming title that I consider does that to perfection.
I’m speaking about S-GAME’s Phantom Blade Zero, an motion RPG that just lately showcased a little bit of its frenetic gameplay loop with an anticipated 2026 launch. When you haven’t watched it already, give it a go. I promise you received’t be disenchanted. Maybe you’ll even share my pleasure as I eagerly look ahead to its eventual launch date.
However why does it excite me so? Effectively, I’m glad you requested.
Bringing Kung Fu To Life
Phantom Blade Zero joins a listing of visually resplendent titles that moved from Unreal Engine 4 to Unreal Engine 5 within the early levels of their improvement. Each Wukong and Wuchang have already confirmed that S-GAME made the suitable name on that entrance, with their environments and fight programs largely benefitting from the improve.
Bosses and enemies seemed so significantly better whereas the ebb and stream of their fight loops felt that rather more immersive due to it. I couldn’t assist however marvel at how sparks flew off my twin blades each time I clashed them with an enemy’s weapons in Wuchang, feeling like a real grasp of my weapons in ways in which different titles couldn’t replicate.
Watching Soul tackle hordes of enemies within the gameplay demo gave me that very same feeling and extra, contemplating how S-GAME appears to focus much less on the mythology and grandeur of its world and extra on the precise fight loop. Souls brings an arsenal of strikes and weapons to the desk, a becoming ability set for a grasp murderer.
Each leap, thrust, stab, and parry felt impactful, and the complete expertise general appears so well-polished that I merely can’t wait to get my arms on a replica of the sport. Whereas I stay cautious of post-release points, particularly after Leenzee’s personal misadventures on PC, it’s not unreasonable to invest that S-GAME and Soulframe Liang have been watching intently and can make sure to keep away from any potential pitfalls.
Acquainted Chords, New Tunes
One other space the place the showcase caught my consideration was the style during which S-GAME has subtly built-in mechanics from different titles which have seemingly served as its inspirations. It was fairly thrilling to see a few years of enjoying video video games play out in such fascinating methods as S-GAME tore by way of enemy ranks in an effort to get to the coaching camp that was the main target of their demo.
For starters, the wall-running mechanic was a brilliantly carried out callback to Ubisoft’s Prince of Persia titles from the early 2000s. It’s a mechanic that I discovered fairly cool again within the day, and is one which I’m baffled that different studios didn’t use within the intervening years. Nonetheless, it isn’t in Phantom Blade Zero simply so as to add a cool new option to traverse its lovely world.
Working throughout partitions is an efficient option to shut the space to your targets within the sport, and could be a very helpful addition whenever you’re making an attempt to get to these pesky ranged enemies who fireplace away from the upper floor in different titles. Used strategically, I’m pretty sure that wall-running goes to be fairly the game-changer for a lot of gifted gamers.
After which there was stealth and eavesdropping, a mechanic that took me proper again to Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice again in 2020, once I was quarantined at house with nothing to do however tackle boss after boss each night. I noticed Soul carry out his personal model of a Mikiri Counter on a couple of event, too! Nonetheless, he doesn’t simply step down on his enemy’s weapon however fairly takes it from them to show the tables, all within the warmth of battle!
It’s a transfer that I simply can’t wait to drag off for the primary time, after which hold doing anytime I see a pink flash that indicators it’s time to show my enemy’s blades in opposition to them! Though I didn’t spot Souls teleporting behind his enemy, I’m positive that the Ghoststep goes to be as cool as this new methodology of countering what different video games would merely name unblockable assaults that must be dodged.
I may go on and on about all of the methods during which Phantom Blade Zero jogs my memory of nifty additions from my favourite video games over time, however you get the purpose. It’s time to get to the meat of why it’s my most anticipated 2026 launch.
Quick, Livid, Modern, and Enjoyable Combating
Sure, it’s the fight loop on show that makes this sport one which I’m going to be enjoying the minute it releases, and possibly lengthy after I roll the credit on it. Whereas S-GAME was cautious to blaze by way of gear menus and the like so as to not give an excessive amount of away, it’s clear that Phantom Blade Zero is a sport that places its fight entrance and heart.
Soulframe Liang’s want to delivery the wuxia style of motion video games would possibly simply come to fruition if the remainder of the sport is something like what I noticed within the demo. For these of you unfamiliar with the time period, it loosely interprets to martial hero, which means that it’s a story targeted on a single martial artist utilizing their expertise to satisfy their future or obtain a sure purpose.
It’s the proper framing for Phantom Blade Zero’s narrative on condition that Soul has solely 66 days to uncover the thriller surrounding his grasp’s demise. It’s additionally a superb option to body the sport’s fight contemplating that solely Sifu comes near replicating the tempo and reflex-based fashion that Souls appears to deliver to the battlefield.
It’s additionally an ideal purpose to offer Soul’s enemies with a skillset that’s nearly as intensive as his personal, making every encounter one during which neither aspect can afford to provide the opposite even an inch of room to breathe. I can’t wait to see what the most effective gamers make of its motion, and discover methods to make an already fashionable sport appear even higher.
And don’t get me began on its bosses. The ultimate boss that S-GAME showcased in its demo had me questioning how I used to be going to keep watch over seven completely different enemies directly. To offer you a little bit of context, the Black Rabbit Brotherhood from Lies of P fills me with dread although I’m fairly good at it. I completely hate multi-enemy boss fights, however that’s additionally the explanation why I like taking them on – the problem.
Whereas S-GAME has assured its gamers that problem choices are going to make the sport as accessible as doable to the overwhelming majority of them, I’m merely going to change it to its hardest problem and get floored by its enemies till I earn the suitable to wield Soul’s arsenal of expertise in all their glory. And that’s to not point out that hardcore mode that the developer has said might be accessible after the primary playthrough.
That’s a singular method of perfecting New Recreation Plus, and is one which I’m nearly sure might be a problem irrespective of how highly effective you get the primary time round. Phantom Blade Zero brings chills and thrills in equal measures, and appears able to sustaining the motion lengthy after you roll the credit on its story.
A Lengthy Wait Forward
Whereas I’m undoubtedly obsessed with Phantom Blade Zero after seeing what it’s able to, I’d be remiss to not mood my enthusiasm with a little bit of warning. I’ve been disenchanted by demos up to now, in spite of everything. However then once more, I did take bets with my buddies on the success of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.
Whereas it’s too early to touch upon the potential success of S-GAME’s upcoming journey, it positive appears to be like prefer it’s a love letter to followers of motion RPGs. Can Phantom Blade Zero dwell as much as my excessive expectations? I actually hope so. May I be proved undeniably flawed as soon as it releases? That’s a slice of humble pie that’s going to be fairly bitter certainly after the sport’s newest showcase.
Right here’s to hoping it’s going to be the previous as a substitute of the latter in 2026.
Be aware: The views expressed on this article are these of the writer and don’t essentially symbolize the views of, and shouldn’t be attributed to, GamingBolt as a company.
