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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesPhantom Blade Zero draws on five explicitly identified game influences: Devil May Cry, Ninja Gaiden, Metal Gear Rising, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and Nioh. S-GAME describes the project as a deliberate hybrid—combining the speed and expressive combat of character-action games with selected Souls-style level and art ideas, then filtering both through Chinese kung fu cinema and a “kungfupunk” setting.
The five influences at a glance
| Game | Role in Phantom Blade Zero’s design lineage | Most useful comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Devil May Cry | Large move arsenal, weapon expression and high-speed spectacle | Combat tempo and weapon variety |
| Ninja Gaiden | Aggressive, direct character-action tradition | Pressure, mobility and precision under attack |
| Metal Gear Rising | Combo-driven action and cinematic finishing energy | Forward momentum and dramatic encounters |
| Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice | Precision defense and Souls-derived design reference | Timing, defense-to-offense flow and bosses |
| Nioh | Action-RPG structure connecting demanding combat with builds | Progression, equipment choices and experimentation |
The table describes design reference points, not a claim that Phantom Blade Zero reproduces any one game’s systems. S-GAME’s public comments present the influences as ingredients in a new combination.
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1. Devil May Cry: expressive weapons and spectacle
Soulframe Liang, S-GAME’s founder and CEO, calls Devil May Cry one of the “insanely exhilarating” hack-and-slash games known for a huge arsenal of moves and lightning-fast pace. That makes it the clearest reference for the feeling of controlling an exceptionally capable fighter: attacks should be visually legible, chained creatively and rewarding to vary rather than reduced to repeating one safe combo.
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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallFor Phantom Blade Zero, the relevant comparison is weapon expression and rapid transitions. A player looking for the Devil May Cry connection should expect the game to value stylish execution and a broad combat vocabulary. The available statements do not establish that it copies Devil May Cry’s ranking screen, scoring system or any particular move list, so those should not be assumed.
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- NINJA GAIDEN 4 fuses Team NINJA'S tempered combat philosophy with the stylish, dynamic action gameplay of PlatinumGames. Engage in visually stunning combat that rewards precision and strategy.
- An endless rain of miasma hangs over a near-future Tokyo in the wake of an ancient enemy’s resurrection. The fate of the city lies in the hands of young ninja prodigy, Yakumo.
2. Ninja Gaiden: speed and an aggressive lineage
Ninja Gaiden is named alongside Devil May Cry and Metal Gear Rising as a classic that S-GAME is borrowing from. Epic Games Store’s interview also identifies it as a clear influence on the game’s flashy combat. Its place in the list matters because it represents a particularly direct, high-pressure character-action lineage: enemies are approached as threats that demand movement, commitment and fast decisions rather than passive defense.
This is the best comparison for readers asking whether Phantom Blade Zero will feel slow because it contains Souls-derived ideas. S-GAME’s stated aim points in the opposite direction: the combat foundation remains fast and aggressive, even while other parts of the game draw from a different tradition.
3. Metal Gear Rising: combo-driven momentum
Liang specifically includes Metal Gear Rising in the same hack-and-slash group as the two games above. The source statements do not promise a copied cutting mechanic or identical boss design. Editorially, however, it is a useful reference for aggressive forward movement, combo-driven encounters and finishers staged with cinematic force.
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- Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection Trilogy (Nintendo Switch) [IMPORT]
- The "Clan Battle" for "Shadows of the World" in NINJA GAIDEN 3 Razor's Edge is not included. Online multiplayer is not available for “Ninja Trials".
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That distinction is important. “Inspired by” identifies a design conversation, not a one-to-one transfer of mechanics. Phantom Blade Zero can share the sense of momentum and spectacle associated with Metal Gear Rising while using different weapons, enemy rules and progression.
4. Sekiro: precision combat on the Souls-derived side
A separate developer Q&A names Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice as an inspiration. Other S-GAME interviews explain that the studio is borrowing certain Souls-game level-design and art ideas while seeking a different gameplay identity. Sekiro therefore belongs in the list as a comparison for timing, defensive reads, the transition from defense to offense and the importance of demanding bosses—not as proof that Phantom Blade Zero uses an identical posture system, resurrection structure or stealth toolkit.
The practical answer to “Is Phantom Blade Zero a Soulslike?” is qualified: it uses selected Souls-derived ideas, but S-GAME describes a hybrid rather than a single-template clone. Its combat tempo is intended to remain closer to character-action games, while exploration and encounter design can draw from the Souls vocabulary.
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- Most of the previously downloadable contents are included! - Most of the previously released game modes and DLC costumes for each title are included in this thrilling collection. In addition to Ryu Hayabusa, each of the other characters will have a variety of costumes to choose from, allowing for action-packed battles in the outfit of your choice
- Ayane, Rachel, Momiji, Kasumi playable! - Besides Ryu Hayabusa, the four iconic female characters; Ayane, Rachel, Momiji, Kasumi will be playable. Master your favorite characters in exciting battles
5. Nioh: the action-RPG bridge
The same developer Q&A lists Nioh as another inspiration. It is the most useful reference for players interested in the overlap between demanding action and character-building. RPG Site’s interview describes Phantom Blade Zero’s planned loadout structure as two main weapons, two secondary weapons, two potions and two accessories, alongside weapon upgrades, evolution systems and a skill tree.
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Those details suggest room for build experimentation without establishing that the game has Nioh’s loot tables, stance system or mission structure. Think of Nioh as the bridge between the precise-action question (“Can I master the fight?”) and the RPG question (“How can I shape my character?”).
Why these five influences fit together
Liang says S-GAME is “merging archetypes together, two main genres together”: Souls games contribute some level-design and art elements, while hack-and-slash classics such as Devil May Cry, Ninja Gaiden and Metal Gear Rising supply the action lineage. Combat designer Bob Wu summarizes the target as “fast and smooth flow of combat rather than emphasizing the moves.” In other words, the studio is pursuing continuity and responsiveness, not merely collecting flashy attacks.
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- Become a one-man assault team, fighting the army of the so-called Holy Emperor to reclaim the magic sword stolen from your lineage
- Learn to fight like a ninja master - Fast, intuitive controls make learning deadly fighting combos quick -- you can even develop your own combos
- Non-linear gameplay -- travel through 16 wide-ranging chapters as you fight ninjas, mercenaries, even demons - while collecting clues & weapon upgrades
- Draw from a well of Ninpo(ninja magic) to enhance your powers -- vaporize opponents or use it strategically, upgrading to make unstoppable combat spells
- Amazing visual effects suck you into the battles - realistic combat combined with beautiful, detailed graphics
The setting gives the blend its own identity. Epic’s interview describes the combination of Chinese kung fu with steampunk, cyberpunk and anime/manga influences as “kungfupunk.” That wuxia-and-cinematic frame is not supplied by any one of the five games, and it is why calling Phantom Blade Zero a clone of Devil May Cry or Sekiro misses the project’s stated ambition.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What game is Phantom Blade Zero based on?
It is not based on one of the five games. The project’s deeper origin is Rainblood: Town of Death, an RPG Maker game Liang began in 2010. The official PlayStation Blog describes Phantom Blade Zero as the “spiritual rebirth of the original Rainblood,” rebuilt and expanded in Unreal Engine 5. The five named games explain its modern combat and action-RPG reference points; Rainblood explains the long-running S-GAME lineage.
What to play before Phantom Blade Zero
- Start with Devil May Cry or Ninja Gaiden if you want to understand the fast, expressive character-action foundation.
- Play Metal Gear Rising for another perspective on aggressive momentum and cinematic finishers.
- Choose Sekiro if your main interest is timing, defense-to-offense decisions and boss pressure.
- Choose Nioh if build experimentation and action-RPG progression matter most.
These are preparation by design vocabulary, not prerequisites. Phantom Blade Zero is intended to combine the traditions rather than require familiarity with them.
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- The World of NINJA GAIDEN II Remastered With Rich Visuals! – The stages, characters, effects, and lighting have been completely redesigned and remastered to provide realistic visuals. Unreal Engine 5 has been utilized to create stunning current-generation graphics, allowing players to immerse themselves more deeply in the story’s world
- High-Speed x Violent Action Further Evolved With the Latest Graphic Expressions! – Gore elements such as dismemberment and blood have been remastered to enhance the action experience. Players can enjoy high-speed, violent action using a wide variety of weapons and techniques, including Japanese swords, shurikens, Kusari-gamas, and tonfas. Note: The dismemberment feature can be toggled on and off in the Options menu
- Additional Characters, Mode for Beginners, and Elements From Subsequent Spin-off Titles Are Also Included! – This remaster includes additional elements from spin-off titles released after the original. Players can control three additional characters: Momiji, Ayane, and Rachel. The game also includes “HERO PLAY STYLE” mode that provides automatic support in challenging situations, making it accessible for those who may not be confident in their action skills
Release context and expectations
Epic Games Store reported in 2025 that Phantom Blade Zero is planned for release on its store in fall 2026; no exact day or month was provided. The same interview described more than 150 in-house team members working across Chinese cities and Los Angeles. Liang said contractors and outsourced workers amount to roughly ten times that number, an attributed estimate rather than an independently audited headcount.
Those production details help explain the scale of the ambition, but they do not guarantee a review outcome or a particular final feature set. The strongest evidence available today is the design direction: rapid character-action combat, selected Souls-derived structure, action-RPG progression and a distinct Chinese kungfupunk identity.
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