Director Reiterates: Phantom Blade Zero is Wuxia Action, Not Soulslike

Phantom Blade Zero is carving its own path in the action game landscape, aiming to pioneer a fresh genre it calls "Wuxia Action." Discover how the game sets itself apart from Soulslikes and what players can expect from its three distinct difficulty modes.

Phantom Blade Zero IS NOT A SOULSLIKE

Director Introduces the "Wuxia Action" Genre

In a recent Developer’s Letter posted on June 24 via the game’s official Twitter (X) account, Phantom Blade Zero Director Soulframe clarified that the game is not a Soulslike, but rather a bold new direction he defines as "Wuxia Action." Addressing fan inquiries, Soulframe explained the misconceptions that arose following the game’s announcement.

Upon its reveal, many assumed Phantom Blade Zero was a Soulslike due to design elements like interconnected maps, hidden pathways, and checkpoint-based progression. After the demo launch, others labeled it a hack-and-slash title, noting its faster combat tempo compared to traditional Soulsborne experiences.

While Soulframe acknowledges that genre labels help players set expectations and differentiate titles, he insists the game doesn’t fit neatly into existing categories. It is neither a Soulslike nor a conventional action game. That said, the team at S-GAMES drew inspiration from both genres, blending them into something uniquely their own.

Originally, the vision was to create a hack-and-slash game with a layered, immersive world. What emerged instead was something Soulframe described as "deeply familiar to us, yet rarely seen in games today"—a fusion of Chinese martial arts philosophy, Western combat mechanics, and cinematic storytelling inspired by kung fu legend Bruce Lee.

This synthesis shaped the core identity of Phantom Blade Zero. "Broadly speaking, it falls under the ARPG umbrella," Soulframe noted. "But more specifically—could this be the birth of a new genre: Wuxia Action?" In this vision, players will experience high-octane combat, rich historical depth, and cinematic moments reminiscent of classic martial arts films.

To give fans a firsthand look at this evolving experience, S-GAMES is hosting an exclusive hands-on demo in Beijing, China, on July 26–27. This event aims to provide a clearer understanding of the game’s essence and core gameplay loop.

Three Difficulty Modes Confirmed

Further distinguishing itself from the Soulslike mold, Phantom Blade Zero will offer three selectable difficulty settings: Gamechanger, Wayfarer, and Hellwaker.

• Gamechanger is the default mode, designed to deliver a balanced and engaging experience ideal for most players, including newcomers.
• Wayfarer is the easiest setting, tailored for players with little or no background in action games, ensuring accessibility without sacrificing the core experience.
• Hellwaker, the most challenging tier, unlocks only in New Game+ and is built for mastery. It features enhanced AI behavior, restructured enemy movesets, and entirely new attack patterns to test even the most skilled warriors.

S-GAMES has confirmed that the game’s official release date will be announced before the end of 2025. Phantom Blade Zero is currently slated for a Fall 2026 launch on PlayStation 5, promising a groundbreaking "kungfupunk" adventure rooted in Wuxia tradition yet forged for modern action gaming. Stay tuned for more updates as the release approaches.