Phantom Blade Zero is a modern action game that plays like one, but with far more personality than average. The pace is unrelenting, and each foe you face off against has a wealth of history and experience behind them for you to overcome. You play as Soul, a former member of The Order who has been framed and now finds himself looking for answers as his former comrades come for his head.
The game's combat is a completely fresh threat, with a unique system that involves depleting an enemy's sha-chi, a stamina or stagger gauge, to unleash devastating combos. The game is surprisingly forgiving, too, with boss fights that won't ask you to repeat a phase you've already cleared, even if you fall and have to try again.
The game's combat is a highlight, with a variety of Phantom Edge weapons that can be equipped to perform useful actions, from unleashing heavy axe strikes to summoning small warriors to fight alongside you. Each boss attacks in a completely unique way, and understanding their patterns is key to taking them down. The animations of smaller, more nimble warriors are floaty and expressive, like something out of wire-action movies like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. However, the game's linearity and lack of exploration outside of combat may be a drawback for some players.