The developers behind the stylish action title Phantom Blade Zero have opened up about the creative DNA behind their project. Although the game is not classified as a soulslike, its level design certainly takes notes from games like Elden Ring.

When a new action game is introduced with dark aesthetics and punishing combat, comparisons to soulslike titles are often inevitable. But S-Game, the studio developing Phantom Blade Zero, insists their project stands apart. Despite that, they’re not shy about their influences.

S-Game revealed that Phantom Blade Zero is built on three pillars: the fast-paced combat of Devil May Cry, interconnected level design reminiscent of Souls titles, and atmospheric storytelling similar to Resident Evil. As the studio puts it: “What concerns the Souls-style level design, we’re definitely fans and were inspired by the dense, interconnected structure even before Elden Ring.”

Moreover, the game’s director, Liang (also known as Soulframe), has a background in architecture, which the team says deeply informs the complexity of the game’s environments:

“Level design is very important for us. We want robust, deeply layered maps that reward exploration. Anything that supports our goal of creating a playable kung fu movie with strong exploration and character development—we’ll take it. Whether it's the exploration of Souls, the vibe of Resident Evil, or the combat from hack-and-slash games, it all serves a unified vision.”

Main image: x.com

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