The Chinese gaming industry has gained international attention with titles such as Genshin Impact (released in 2020), a free and popular mobile game, and Black Myth Wukong (released in 2024 for PC and consoles), which reached 20 million copies in its first month. Recently, the developer S-Game launched a new title, Phantom Blade Zero, last Thursday, the 29th, available for PlayStation 5 and PC.
Phantom Blade Zero is inspired by the cultural genre known as wuxia, which means 'martial arts and chivalry' in Chinese and has over two thousand years of history. This genre narrates the journeys of fighters, with a recent cinematic example being the film The Tiger and the Dragon, which won four Oscars in 2001.
The game presents a basic premise: the main character, Soul, is unjustly accused of a crime. Although S-Game has strived to develop the narrative, the plot features moments that are excessively simple and others vague, resulting in loose ends.
However, much like is characteristic of wuxia, the main focus lies on the action, which is considered excellent. The confrontations are highly acrobatic, displaying dramatic and exaggerated movements, maintaining fidelity to the genre. S-Game reported dedicating three years to replicating all character gestures, with the collaboration of over twenty martial arts experts.
The controls are described as agile and precise, the camera functions adequately, and the combat system is well-balanced, neither too complex nor too simple. It is possible to start playing quickly, but it is also advantageous to spend time learning new techniques and exploring the swords and skills collected throughout the game, which includes 30 primary and 25 secondary weapons.
The difficulty level is configurable, and the standard mode is suitable for most players, offering the ideal challenge, particularly in boss fights. Furthermore, there is the peculiar '66-day mode': if the player is defeated 66 times (a number with significance in the game's mythology), the game ends and restarts, losing all accumulated progress.
Phantom Blade Zero is not classified as an open-world or strictly linear game; it requires and allows for some exploration, albeit within defined limits. The game has its own pleasant rhythm. Graphically, the title is good, presenting beautiful scenery and numerous light effects, especially during the most intense fights. It was tested on the PlayStation 5, where it operates stably at 60 frames per second.
With over 30 hours of content offered at a reasonable price below the average of releases, the game is recommended for those who enjoyed Black Myth Wukong or are looking for a good action experience. Currently, Phantom Blade Zero is available for PlayStation 5 and PC (Steam) for the price of R$ 229.90.
