The developers of Phantom Blade Zero at S-Game appeared on Sony Interactive Entertainment’s stage at Chinajoy in Shanghai to showcase the new demo of the game.
The demonstration, which lasted about 15 minutes, was aired on PlayStation Shanghai’s Weibo channel. We get to see combat with a few normal enemies before the player has to face a boss who appears to be quite tough.
It’s worth mentioning that despite appearances Phantom Blade Zero is not intended as a Soulslike.
While some inspiration has been taken from elements that usually are seen in Soulslike games, like multi-layered maps, multiple approach paths, and hidden areas, this game is designed as a game featuring “combo-driven heart-pumping combat that is hectic, rewarding and exhilarating” according to the developers.
You can watch it below, courtesy of YouTube user GamersPrey.
It’s worth mentioning that you don’t necessarily need to limit yourself to watching. The demo isn’t just publicly playable at Chinajoy, but it’ll also be at Gamescom at the end of August and at Tokyo Game Show in September.
Unfortunately, the developers have already confirmed that they will not distribute it online, so you’ll have to go to one of the event mentioned if you want to try the game out, at least for now.
Phantom Blade Zero doesn’t yet have a release date and is coming to PS5 and PC.
If you want to see more games from PlayStation’s stage at ChinaJoy, you can take a look at Sony’s own platformer Astro Bot, and two titles supported by the China Hero Project, the veteran Lost Soul Aside and the new entry Unending Dawn.