GamesAction Rpg"It’s just like the Souls games before Elden Ring": Phantom Blade Zero director walks us through this action RPG’s seamless, non-linear mapWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
GamesAction Rpg"It’s just like the Souls games before Elden Ring": Phantom Blade Zero director walks us through this action RPG’s seamless, non-linear mapWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: S-Game)
The director behind the highly anticipated action-RPG Phantom Blade Zero has compared the game’s map toFromSoftware’s Souls series before the decidedly open-world Elden Ring arrived.
“It’s just like the old Souls games,” Soulframe said. “You move around and explore in a seamless map, it’s just not a huge open-world map. But every region is connected together seamlessly.”
Without getting into the incredibly thick and perilous weeds around what makes a game open world, it sounds like Phantom Blade Zero takes place in one interconnected map with distinct regions that may or may not be accessible from the beginning of the game. Soulframe told us areas of the map include minor enemies between bosses, secret collectibles and hidden characters, as well as stealth and ranged approaches for many encounters. Yup, sounds familiar.
“There are certain gates requiring keys, and the keys are obtained from some missions,” Soulframe said. “There’s still some process you go through, but it’s non-linear. There are always multiple paths you can go through. It’s just like the Souls games before Elden Ring.”
Soulframe was quick toonce againpoint out during our interview that Phantom Blade Zero isn’t a Soulslike, but rather an action-RPG with “combo-driven, heart-pumping combat that is hectic, rewarding, and exhilarating.” It just so happens to have a map design that’s similar to the pre-Elden Ring Souls games.
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1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
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3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
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4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
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2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
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3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
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4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
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The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
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Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now”
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2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2
Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
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4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
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Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
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Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”