Phantom Blade Zero Director Confirms Wooden Sword Can Beat the Entire Game, Despite 30 Unique Weapon Types

Phantom Blade Zero will give players plenty of weapons to master, but they will not need powerful equipment to complete the upcoming action RPG. According to S-Game CEO and series creator Soulframe, players can theoretically finish the entire game using nothing but a wooden sword, turning the basic weapon into an optional challenge for those who want to test their combat skills.

In an interview with South Korean gaming outlet Inven Global, Soulframe explained that the developers created 30 weapon types with distinct movesets and mechanics. While the studio hopes players will experiment with different weapons, it does not want to force them into a particular playstyle.

The wooden sword reflects the game’s underlying martial arts philosophy. As Soulframe explained, mastering one’s abilities can matter more than possessing superior equipment. This approach also gives experienced players an additional challenge beyond simply collecting stronger weapons.

PHANTOM BLADE ZERO OFFERS 30 WEAPONS WITH DISTINCT COMBAT STYLES

According to Soulframe, each weapon in Phantom Blade Zero is designed to offer a different combat experience. Some weapons can also help players handle particular enemy mechanics, although the game will not require them to use one specific weapon to progress.

One example is the Drunken Sword, which introduces an unusual fighting style based on intoxication. Its movements, attack range, and combat tempo differ from those of conventional weapons, with the character becoming stronger as they get drunker.

Since Phantom Blade Zero is a single-player game rather than a competitive multiplayer title, S-Game prioritized variety and distinctive mechanics instead of making every weapon perform identically.

DIFFICULTY OPTIONS AND BOSS BATTLES WILL REWARD EXPERIMENTATION

The wooden sword is only one part of the game’s broader approach to combat. Phantom Blade Zero will include multiple difficulty settings, allowing newcomers to enjoy its martial arts action while giving experienced players more demanding encounters.

Soulframe revealed that higher difficulties change enemy behavior rather than simply increasing health and damage. Enemies can become more aggressive and use different abilities, requiring players to adapt their strategies. The particularly challenging “66 Days” mode also limits the number of retries to 66.

Players will have other ways to overcome difficult encounters, too. Soulframe explained that changing weapons, accessories, and character builds can help players find solutions instead of repeatedly attempting a boss fight with the same setup.

The game also features New Game Plus, which allows players to revisit earlier encounters with weapons acquired later in the adventure. The developers intend this mode to offer fresh combat possibilities rather than locking essential story content behind another playthrough.

PHANTOM BLADE ZERO BLENDS KUNG FU WITH ACTION RPG DESIGN

Soulframe describes Phantom Blade Zero as a hybrid action-adventure experience rather than a traditional Soulslike or hack-and-slash game. Its design combines RPG progression, exploration, secrets, and fast-paced, combo-driven combat.

The studio has also spent years studying martial arts films and working with kung fu experts to translate cinematic fighting into responsive gameplay. Soulframe highlighted the challenge of breaking continuous martial arts movements into individual actions that players can control while maintaining fluid transitions.

Phantom Blade Zero is scheduled to launch on October 29, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and PC through Steam and the Epic Games Store. Its wooden-sword challenge could give skilled players another reason to experiment with the game’s combat system after release.