While the PlayStation Showcase 2023 was somewhat underwhelming, with many expecting more first-party PlayStation games, we also had the opportunity to see the teaser for Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater (a remake of Metal Gear Solid 3), the trailer for the new game from the creators of GRIS, and an extensive gameplay of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, among other notable announcements.
But among all the third-party announcements made yesterday, one particularly caught the attention of those who worship the “souls” games. Phantom Blade Zero was showcased for the first time at the PlayStation Showcase, making it clear that, yes, it is clearly inspired by Sekiro and the Dark Souls series, but it has enough personality to stand on its own and not be overshadowed by the titles created by Hidetaka Miyazaki.
In this third-person action video game developed by the Chinese studio S-Game, players will have the opportunity to explore a universe where a multitude of powers and different creatures converge. “You will find Chinese Kungfu, intricate machines reminiscent of steampunk, occult arts, and intriguing things that don’t quite fit into any of these categories,” says Liang Soulframe, founder and CEO of S-Game, in a PlayStation blog post.
It’s a semi-open world filled with references to Chinese culture, where players will control Soul, an elite assassin serving a secretive yet powerful organization known as “The Order.” After being framed for the murder of The Order’s patriarch and gravely injured while trying to escape, Soul is saved from death by a mystical healer, although the effects of the cure will only last for 66 days.
During these 66 days, Soul must uncover who is behind this conspiracy and confront creatures of all kinds. All the while, they engage in a fighting style that Liang has dubbed “Kungfupunk,” which combines elements of Kungfu with a punk spirit, and encounter a diverse cast of characters who shed light on a dark world.
With no release date yet, this title will be available on PlayStation 5 and PC.
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