We had the opportunity to go hands-on with Phantom Blade Zero at Tokyo Game Show 2024, diving into an intense 25-minute demo that showcased the game’s unique blend of Wuxia-style combat and Souls-like mechanics. While the demo focused purely on gameplay without story elements, it provided enough depth to understand what sets this title apart from its contemporaries.
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At the core of combat lies the Sha-Chi system, functioning similarly to a stamina bar for both players and enemies. The game introduces two key defensive mechanics: parrying blue-marked “Brutal Moves” and dodging red-marked “Killer Moves.” Both actions can be followed up with a Ghostep maneuver, allowing players to perform devastating backstabs that drain enemy Sha-Chi. Players can execute finishing moves once they deplete an enemy’s Sha-Chi, though they can only execute bosses during their final health phase.
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Weapon diversity plays a crucial role, with players able to equip four weapons simultaneously – two primary and two secondary. The demo featured standout options like the dancing lion head, capable of unleashing fire attacks but vulnerable to interruption, and a hand cannon that offers both quick shots and charged attacks.
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The boss encounters progressively challenged players’ mastery of these systems. Tie Sha served as an introductory fight focusing on fundamental mechanics. Commander Cleave presented a more formidable challenge with devastating long-range attacks and intelligent AI that adapted to player positioning. The demo culminated with Huangxing, a unique boss capable of one-shot kills with Flying Guillotines, demanding precise timing for both dodges and parries.
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Although Phantom Blade Zero inspiration from Souls-like titles, it strikes a more accessible difficulty balance while maintaining enough challenge to engage genre veterans.
![](https://cdn.gamerbraves.com/2024/08/Phantom-Blade-Zero_Game_Box-Art-1.jpg)