- Phantom Blade Zero takes inspiration from pre-Elden Ring FromSoftware games in terms of level design.
- The game’s director studied architecture in school, which naturally led to a strong focus on level design.
- Other aspects of the game are inspired by DMC and Resident Evil games.
The influence of FromSoftware has brought a massive wave of Soulslike games to the industry in recent years. However, that trend is finally fading, with action games reclaiming the crown again.
One of the most noteworthy upcoming action titles is Phantom Blade Zero, now slated for a 2026 release. While primarily an action game, it still carries some Souls DNA, especially in its level design, drawing inspiration from pre-Elden Ring FromSoftware titles.
Why it matters: FromSoftware has undeniably been one of the most influential developers in recent times. Their mark has been spread beyond just soulslike games.
Speaking to an interview with Gamesradar, a representative from the developer studio S-Game said:
On the Souls-lite level design side, we are definitely a fan of and inspired by the pre-Elden Ring, interconnected, tight level design.
Contrary to Elden Ring’s open-world approach, older FromSoftware titles like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and the Dark Souls games featured a semi-linear world with tight level designs, as well as secret pathways and hidden secrets.
Moreover, the representative revealed that Phantom Blade Zero’s director, Soulframe Liang, studied architecture in school, which translates well to the game’s level design, a priority at the studio.
While the game’s level design is influenced by older FromSoftware titles, the flashy combat is derived from the DMC series, and Resident Evil games inspire the narrative and atmosphere.
These inspirations will create a distinct identity for the title, rather than making it feel like parts of it were borrowed from different games.
Although the combat may seem like the core focus for Phantom Blade, the developers have stated otherwise. According to them, the game will have an equal focus on both narrative and gameplay.
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[Staff Writer]
Shaheer is currently pursuing a Business degree while also working as a part-time Content Writer. With his deep passion for both writing and video games, he has seamlessly transitioned into a role as a Journalist. Over the past two years, Shaheer has contributed as a freelancer to various websites and landed positions on acclaimed platforms like Gamerant. Currently, his role at Tech4gamers is as a Features Writer, but he also covers News occasionally. Shaheer’s favorite gaming franchises are Assassin’s Creed and the God of War series.
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