In a recent interview, the director of Phantom Blade Zero made it clear: the game is not a Souls-like title, but something entirely new. Qiwei Liang, the project’s director, explained that although the market is saturated with Souls-like games—from heavyweights like FromSoftware to others chasing the trend—Phantom Blade Zero was built with a different vision in mind. 

Liang elaborated that the team has laid the foundations for a fighting game that leans on kung fu in ways rarely seen before. The combat system is expected to be deep, rhythmical, and rooted in martial arts rather than the traditional stamina-management, dodge, and hit pattern styles of Souls-likes. 

As for its release date, there’s no specific launch window yet. However, the director hinted that it might arrive next year. Until then, further details—especially regarding gameplay mechanics, difficulty, and narrative structure—are still under wraps. 

Phantom Blade Zero has already turned heads with previews showing its enhanced graphics on platforms like the PS5 Pro. Players and critics alike are watching closely to see how the promise of a fresh fighting experience will stand up against expectations shaped by Souls-likes and other action games.