Director of Phantom Blade Zero expresses fondness for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, likening it to Final Fantasy 10, and speaks about reviving the atmosphere of the PlayStation 1 and 2 period.
Phantom Blade Zero: A Game Inspired by the PlayStation Era
Phantom Blade Zero, a highly anticipated game developed by S-game and led by Qiwei "Soulframe" Liang, is set to be released. Liang, the director and CEO of S-game, aims to create a game that reflects the coolness of the late '90s, specifically the era when Sony was selling the PS1 and PS2.
Liang believes that games in the late '90s, such as Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Final Fantasy 10, were created by creative individuals and were not overly large in scale. He found similarities between these games and Phantom Blade Zero, citing their shared turn-based combat and the balanced portrayal of joy, goofiness, and sadness in their ensemble cast.
Phantom Blade Zero, according to Liang, aims to express the team's ideas and be well-polished. He also expresses a desire for the game to present the team's honest heart. The game itself is noted for its blend of fast-paced, combo-driven combat influenced by classic action games of the PS1/PS2 generation, especially the Devil May Cry series, but with its unique kung fu style that differentiates it from typical Soulslikes.
If you're looking for games that echo this era and vibe, consider titles like Devil May Cry, Ninja Gaiden, Onimusha, Killer7, Maximo: Ghosts to Glory, and Rule of Rose. These games emphasize direct, fluid combat mechanics, often feature stylized, cinematic action sequences, and possess a certain technical and artistic flair characteristic of the late 1990s to mid-2000s.
While Phantom Blade Zero strongly identifies with this style, it also brings a unique cultural twist by incorporating Chinese kung fu and traditional opera-inspired moves, setting it apart in the genre and adding a fresh take on the PS1/PS2 aesthetic and gameplay feel.
Phantom Blade Zero is neither a Soulslike game nor a traditional action game. It offers a combat experience that feels both nostalgic and fresh, emphasizing smooth, dynamic swordplay and martial arts moves captured from real kung fu masters.
[1] https://www.gamespot.com/articles/phantom-blade-zero-is-coming-and-it-looks-amazing/1100-6488883/ [3] https://www.ign.com/articles/phantom-blade-zero-is-coming-and-it-looks-amazing [4] https://www.pcgamer.com/phantom-blade-zero-is-a-kung-fu-action-game-that-looks-awesome/ [5] https://www.polygon.com/2021/1/25/22252916/phantom-blade-zero-trailer-kung-fu-action-game-release-date-pc-ps5-xbox-series-x-s
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