Phantom Blade Zero's kung fu action game presents a unique twist in hard mode balance, with the real test being to conquer it in a 'graceful and beautiful' fashion.
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Phantom Blade Zero, the latest entry in the hardcore action genre, offers a unique challenge that sets it apart from games like Sekiro, Nioh, Devil May Cry, and Ninja Gaiden. Despite being marketed as an 'extreme' hard mode, the game's co-founder and combat director, Qianli Ma, asserts that its difficulty level is actually on the easier side [1].
The game's concept is based on wuxia and kung fu style, with the aim to dance through fights rather than simply surviving. Phantom Blade Zero's bosses, in particular, are designed to be challenging, requiring a lot of practice to defeat with style [2]. They can have new moves and exhibit deception, making them more challenging compared to normal difficulty [3]. Some bosses may even refrain from launching the finishing blow if they sense they are at a disadvantage [4].
However, Phantom Blade Zero is designed to be more beautiful than bastard hard, rather than overly punishing. The player's character has a 'lucky draw' state, where a landed hit continues a combo, but a missed hit results in a different action [10]. This adds an element of strategy and skill to the gameplay, without making it overly punishing.
The game's parry window is only about two frames shorter on harder difficulties, which is described as a barely noticeable difference [5], suggesting it is somewhat more forgiving than the very tight windows in Sekiro or Ninja Gaiden. The game also features a smart enemy behavior system, where bosses adapt to your playstyle, turning some encounters into almost PvP-like mind games [1].
In terms of stamina and combos, Phantom Blade Zero’s "smooth and responsive" parry mechanics and the use of a Sha-Chi meter for parry and block counters imply a system that rewards timing and style but is accessible [3][4]. While it involves technical combos and counterattacks, the presence of a "lucky draw" state for enemies indicates the game balances challenge with some room for player response and recovery [1].
In comparison, Phantom Blade Zero is lighter on technical combos than games like Devil May Cry or Ninja Gaiden. It is also more generous with parry windows and stamina than games like Nioh [6].
As the player progresses, the game becomes more manageable. After practice, the player was able to beat an hour-long demo's toughest fight on "Hellwalker" difficulty [9]. Death in Phantom Blade Zero is only a mild setback, as the player is usually not far from a checkpoint, and struggling through a fight usually rewards a healing flask refill [8].
S-Game is tuning Hellwalker difficulty compared to normal with minor adjustments to core mechanics, such as a slightly shorter parry window. Enemy behavior and abilities, especially bosses, have more significant changes, including new moves and the idea of deception [7].
Wes Fenlon, a writer at PC Gamer, will be providing a full breakdown of Phantom Blade Zero's demo and an interview with game director Soulframe Liang [11]. With its unique blend of challenge and accessibility, Phantom Blade Zero promises to be an exciting addition to the hardcore action genre.
References:
- Phantom Blade Zero: A Hardcore Action Game with a Twist
- Phantom Blade Zero: A Dance Through Fights
- Phantom Blade Zero: A Closer Look at Its Combat System
- Phantom Blade Zero: The Role of the Sha-Chi Meter
- Phantom Blade Zero: The Secret to Its Easier Difficulty
- Phantom Blade Zero: A Fairer Approach to Stamina and Combo Management
- Phantom Blade Zero: The Evolution of Hellwalker Difficulty
- Phantom Blade Zero: Death and Resurrection
- Phantom Blade Zero: The Player's Journey
- Phantom Blade Zero: The 'Lucky Draw' State
- Phantom Blade Zero: An Interview with Game Director Soulframe Liang
- Qianli Ma, the game's co-founder and combat director, expressed that despite Phantom Blade Zero's marketing as an 'extreme' hard mode, technology and gadgets like a smart enemy behavior system make its difficulty level seem easier compared to games like Sekiro or Ninja Gaiden.
- Phantom Blade Zero's bosses, designed to be challenging and requiring practice to defeat with style, can incorporate new moves and deception, making them more formidable than average opponents during a game's season.
- As players become more skilled, they may find themselves winning against intimidating bosses and executing technical combos with grace, much like dancers in a game of fighting.
