The developers at S-Game made this decision after analyzing feedback from Gamescom, where part of the audience expressed a desire for a more challenging gameplay experience. The Extreme Mode goes beyond simply increasing enemy stats.

This mode will only unlock for those who complete the main campaign. The team has completely overhauled the enemy AI—they no longer follow predictable attack patterns but instead exhibit behavior closer to that of a human player. Moreover, enemies have learned to employ psychological tricks: feigning vulnerability, using diversionary tactics, and masterfully setting deadly traps. As the lead developer notes, "the revamped AI creates the feeling of battling against a real player".

At the same time, the creators have maintained balance for different types of players. The main campaign offers a flexible difficulty system and natural learning through story missions. This approach allows newcomers to gradually immerse themselves in the game world before taking on the true hardcore challenge of Extreme Mode.

Additionally, the extreme mode introduces a set of strict limitations: bans on certain weapon types, reduced healing, and harsh penalties for death. Here, simply memorizing attack patterns isn’t enough—success requires strategic thinking, instant adaptation, and the ability to read enemy intentions. This is precisely the level of difficulty that dedicated fans of the genre have been waiting for.

Phantom Blade Zero is expected to release in late 2026.

Main image: reddit.com

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