In a recent interview with Eurogamer at GDC 2025, S-Game director “Soulframe” Liang revealed that the upcoming action-adventure Phantom Blade Zero draws heavy inspiration from the PlayStation 1 and PlayStation 2 eras—particularly regarding game scope and design. Liang describes the title as “a bigger indie game,” highlighting that S-Game wants to combine the passion, creativity, and modest team size of classic development with a higher budget and modern expertise.
In this interview Liang, explains that his upcoming action game blends several influences without neatly fitting into any single genre. While it borrows the combo-driven combat of Devil May Cry, the interconnected maps of Dark Souls, and the moody atmosphere of titles like Resident Evil 4, the result is neither a pure Soulslike nor a standard hack-and-slash experience. Liang describes the game as a bigger indie project that benefits from a moderate scope—akin to the PlayStation 1 and 2 era—while still having a substantial budget, a cohesive team, and a strong creative vision.
A key focus is capturing the essence of Hong Kong kung fu cinema from the 1970s. To achieve this, the team engages real martial artists for motion capture, creating fluid and authentic kung fu animation. Liang says that while a French studio could pull off the martial arts gameplay of Sifu, S-Game aims to push Chinese authenticity even further. Another significant influence is Black Myth: Wukong, which has demonstrated that big-budget Chinese games can quickly become global hits. This success has brought both increased resources for Phantom Blade Zero and heightened expectations for its performance.
Thus far, most of the combat footage showcased has come from optional side content, implying that large portions of the game’s narrative and design remain under wraps. Players can expect around thirty primary and twenty secondary weapons, blending historical realism with punk-style flourishes. Furthermore, an Extreme difficulty mode will introduce advanced AI, replacing predictable patterns with more organic responses. Despite the game’s strong reception to date and comparisons to other leading action titles, a release date has yet to be announced, leaving fans eagerly anticipating more details.
The Rise of Chinese-Developed Games
Liang also referenced Black Myth: Wukong as a sign of market readiness for major Chinese titles on the global stage:
“Everyone now recognizes that a Chinese-developed game could sell 30 million copies within six months.”
Phantom Blade Zero is rumored to launch in fall 2026, though no official date has been confirmed. S-Game plans to release it on PlayStation 5 and PC, aiming to offer a blend of classic design ethos and big-budget polish. Stay tuned for more updates as details become available.
