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Summer Game Fest was stacked with announcements and reveals, but asPhantom Blade Zerobrought things to an end as the final game showcased at the event, it made sense for it to be chosen as the show-stopper. Revealed at PlayStation Showcase last year, the upcoming S-GAME title stole the show back then as well, and now that the short but sweet gameplay footage has been shared, it looks better than ever.
Being a Soulslike title, it’s inevitable that it may share some similarities with others that came before in the genre, and like most pieces of art,Phantom Blade Zerotakes inspiration from multiple beloved games.
Phantom Blade Zero Follows in the Footsteps of Multiple Soulslike Titles
Considering howFromSoftwareis the creator of the Soulslike genre, it really isn’t a surprise that S-GAME used one of its most popular games as an inspiration. Called “The Blade is Drawn,” the new gameplay footage shows how the combat mechanics will work in the upcoming title, along with presenting the gloomy world that surrounds the main character.
If these aspects felt familiar to Hidetaka Miyazaki fans, they were meant to, as during aninterview, the developers revealed the three games that shapedPhantom Blade Zero.
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Widely regarded as a major highlight in FromSoftware’s portfolio andPlayStation still referencing it in itsnewer titles even today, the intense adventure of the Hunter in the gothic world of Yharnam continues to inspire upcoming games as well. Sure, S-GAME has clearly improved and put its own spin on numerous elements that were included inBloodborne, but at its core, ranging from the combat and setting to the monster design, the Miyazaki legacy seems to be living on.
It is also interesting to note that a former FromSoftware developer, Michael Chang, who worked on the studio’s initial Soulslike titles likeDark SoulsandDemon’s Souls, is now the Vice President of S-GAME, resulting in the inspiration feeling like a full-circle moment.
Sloclap and PlatinumGames Join FromSoftware as Inspirations for S-GAME
Some of the main complaints that players may have with FromSoftware games is that the combat feels a little too slow and grounded, which is where Sloclap made its entrance and put a fast-paced spin on it inSifu. As evident by thePhantom Blade Zerogameplay trailer, the combat is much quicker than anything that has been seenin the likes ofElden Ring, as the developers also named Sloclap’s beat’em up title as an inspiration.
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GivingSifuthe credit for paving the path for Chinese martial arts being properly implemented in video games, S-GAME differentiates itself by making its fights armed instead of bare-handed.
The last game that inspired S-GAME’s Soulslike was launched more than a decade ago, as PlatinumGames also incorporated fast-paced action sequences in its 2013 title,Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance. With such a mixture of great reference points,Phantom Blade Zerohas the potential to be the hardest Soulslike game ever created.
Are you looking forward to S-GAME’s upcoming title after getting to know about those who inspired it? Let us know in the comments!
Osama Farooq
Senior Gaming Content Editor / Critic
Articles Published :356
Ever since Osama was gifted the glorious PS2 more than two decades back, video games have formed a major part of his life, ranging from spending hours playing through every single Dragon Ball game he could find to witnessing the gaming industry evolve into something extraordinary in modern times. Building his collection of PlayStation consoles throughout the years all the way up until PS5, he prefers single-player experiences like The Last of Us and Persona, while also letting off steam on a daily basis with casual EA Sports FC matches. But the current rise in online multiplayer shooters will never really appeal to his old-school self.
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