"Phantom Blade Zero: Director Confirms Wuxia Action, Not Soulslike"

Phantom Blade Zero aims to redefine action gaming by pioneering the "Wuxia Action" genre. Discover how it sets itself apart from Soulslikes and what its three-tier difficulty system offers players.

Phantom Blade Zero Is NOT a Soulslike

Director Defines New Genre As "Wuxia Action"

In a recent Developer’s Letter published on June 24 via the game's official Twitter (X) account, Phantom Blade Zero director Soulframe clarified that the title should not be classified as a Soulslike. Instead, he describes it as a fresh genre he calls “Wuxia Action.”

While early reactions compared the game to Soulslikes due to its interconnected world design, hidden secrets, and checkpoint system, the initial demo led some players to label it as a hack-and-slash title—mainly because of its faster pace.

Soulframe acknowledged that genre classification helps players form expectations, but emphasized that Phantom Blade Zero doesn’t fit neatly into any existing category. Though inspired by Soulslikes and traditional action titles, the game has evolved into something uniquely its own.

The development team initially aimed to create a hack-and-slash game with layered environments. What emerged was something deeply familiar yet rarely seen in modern games—a blend of Chinese martial arts, Western combat mechanics, and cinematic storytelling influenced by kung fu legend Bruce Lee.

“Broadly speaking, it falls under ARPGs,” Soulframe explained. “But more specifically—maybe it could create a new identity that is Wuxia Action Games?” This innovative approach focuses on fast-paced combat, deep lore connections, and iconic cinematic moments.

To give fans a clearer look at this vision, developer S-GAMES hosted an exclusive hands-on demo event in Beijing, China, on July 26-27, offering a sneak peek into the game’s core experience.

Three Difficulty Options Confirmed

Further distinguishing itself from notoriously difficult Soulslike titles, Phantom Blade Zero will feature three distinct difficulty settings:

• Gamechanger – The default mode, offering a balanced challenge ideal for newcomers.
• Wayfarer – The easiest setting, tailored for players unfamiliar with action games.
• Hellwaker – The most challenging mode, unlocked in New Game+. It features smarter AI, reworked enemy move sets, and entirely new mechanics designed to test even seasoned players.

This structured difficulty system allows a broader audience to enjoy the game while still providing intense challenges for hardcore players.

S-GAMES plans to reveal the official release date before the end of 2025. Phantom Blade Zero is currently scheduled to launch in Fall 2026 for PlayStation 5, promising a rich, cinematic “kungfupunk” journey unlike anything seen before.

Stay tuned for more updates and insights into this groundbreaking title.