Phantom Blade Zero gameplay continues to impress with its fluid combat and intense encounters. At Gamescom, a newer demo build revealed a different area featuring fresh enemies and bosses, showing how diverse the game’s challenges can be. Unlike previous showcases, this gameplay highlights an expanded set of combat scenarios and improved difficulty settings that make each fight more engaging.

The game blends kung fu-inspired movements with a fast-paced action RPG system. Even complex-looking combos are easy to perform, making it accessible for both newcomers and experienced players. Whether facing single bosses or groups of enemies, Phantom Blade Zero ensures the action feels cinematic and rewarding.

Weapons, Shadow Step, and Combat Variety

The latest demo introduced several weapons, including the Soft Snake Sword, White Serpent, and Crimson Viper dual blades. Among these, the Seamless Death dual circular blades stand out due to their unique ability to replace standard dodges with a Shadow Step mechanic. This allows smooth transitions through attacks and creates opportunities to extend combos mid-fight.

Phantom Blade Zero – Year Of The Snake Trailer
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Phantom Blade Zero encourages using multiple weapon sets, allowing players to slot two weapons at once. Swapping weapons mid-combo extends attacks and adds depth to the combat system. While eight weapons are currently confirmed, developers hinted at the possibility of more being added before launch, ensuring the final release will have strong variety.

Level Design, Exploration, and Collectibles

While the focus remains on combat, Phantom Blade Zero gameplay also includes exploration elements. The game leans toward linear level design rather than a true open world, with interconnected areas, rope swings, wall-running, and stealth mechanics adding variety to progression.

Exploration rewards players with hidden items, health fragments, and potential stamina boosts, similar to systems seen in Darksiders or God of War. These upgrades improve survivability against tougher bosses, especially on higher difficulties. Stealth kills and dynamic movement options keep navigation interesting, even if exploration takes a backseat to combat intensity.

Combat Depth and Comparisons to Other Action RPGs

Phantom Blade Zero sets itself apart from other action RPGs and Soulslike titles by encouraging fights against multiple enemies at once. Its combat system allows seamless deflections, dodges, and combo transitions across multiple opponents, creating moments that feel straight out of a martial arts film.

Phantom Blade Zero Deep Dive – Future Games Show gamescom 2025
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Compared to titles like Nioh 2 and Khazan, Phantom Blade Zero pushes for a more fluid and visually striking combat experience. While it incorporates light character progression through health and stamina upgrades, it avoids traditional RPG elements like stat points or armor customization, making it feel closer to Ninja Gaiden than classic loot-driven RPGs.

With continued refinement ahead of its release, Phantom Blade Zero gameplay is shaping up to deliver one of the most polished action combat systems in recent memory. The next updates, including potential reveals at Tokyo Game Show and studio insights from Beijing, are expected to show even more of what makes this game stand out.