Phantom Blade Zero Unleashes New Gameplay Demo at S-PARTY 2025 Ahead of Gamescom Showcase
S-GAME’s Phantom Blade Zero continues to make waves in the action RPG world with an expansive new gameplay demo revealed during the studio’s S-PARTY 2025 event in Beijing. Held over two days, the event welcomed fans and press to experience hands-on gameplay, and IGN India has now published a 22-minute walkthrough showcasing previously unseen content, including hidden boss encounters, secret item discoveries, new weapons, and intense cinematic combat sequences.
The game remains one of the most eagerly anticipated titles in the ARPG and Soulslike-adjacent space. However, S-GAME’s CEO, Soulframe, has emphasized that Phantom Blade Zero should not be classified strictly as a Soulslike. In a recent statement via the official X account, Soulframe detailed the creative evolution of the game:
"Phantom Blade Zero is neither a Soulslike game nor a traditional action game. We set out to build a fast-paced hack-and-slash experience within a multilayered map structure. As the animation, level design, and environment matured, we realized the result was something more aligned with the essence of Wuxia cinema. A deeply cultural aesthetic emerged—something familiar to us but rarely seen in modern games."
The game integrates dramatic Wuxia-inspired set pieces into gameplay, including rooftop battles under arrow barrages, high-speed carriage duels, and narrative arcs centered around political intrigue and ancient secrets. According to Soulframe, the game falls broadly into the ARPG category, but more specifically represents a new subgenre: Wuxia Action Games.
Importantly, Phantom Blade Zero will also feature three difficulty modes:
Wayfarer (for a cinematic experience),
Gamechanger (standard gameplay),
Hellwalker (a brutal mode unlocked in New Game+).
This approach sets it apart from the more punishing default design of traditional Soulslikes, offering more accessible entry points while still catering to hardcore players.
Although an official release date remains unconfirmed, excitement continues to build with S-GAME confirming their presence at Gamescom 2025. The studio will occupy a massive 500 m² booth in Hall 6 (B-050G), featuring over 60 demo stations. The Gamescom demo is promised to be the most comprehensive version shown publicly so far, delivering a full 1-hour playable segment that includes never-before-seen boss fights, expanded exploration, enhanced storytelling, and exhilarating blade-to-blade combat.
With mounting global anticipation, Phantom Blade Zero is quickly carving out a unique niche within the action RPG landscape, aiming to blend fast-paced swordplay with a strong cultural narrative foundation that sets it apart from genre contemporaries.
Are you intrigued by the fusion of Wuxia aesthetics with fast-paced ARPG mechanics? Let us know what excites you most about Phantom Blade Zero in the comments below!
