Vortex Gaming

· With so many games releasing lately, my wallet is getting thin, but 'Phantom Blade Zero' is a project worth the investment.
· I'm sharing my first impressions after playing for about 2 hours, aiming to answer whether this game is worth playing, especially since there aren't many reviews yet.
· Creating beautiful and dynamic Soulslike games is tough, but this game is visually stunning and promises a great player experience.
· The recent advancements in the Chinese game industry are astonishing, and 'Phantom Blade Zero' is another highly anticipated title continuing this trend.
· I was immediately intrigued when I first saw the gameplay trailer and pre-ordered this PS5 release right away.
· Even those who don't typically enjoy dark themes or the Soulslike genre can fully enjoy this game.

· 'Phantom Blade Zero' shares characteristics with the Soulslike genre but presents a unique combat system distinct from games like Sekiro or Bloodborne.
· The combat is incredibly fast, elegant, and boasts cinematic direction, making it breathtakingly beautiful.
· It offers a level of combat experience difficult to imagine from trailers alone, enough to make even those hesitant about buying a PS5 decide to purchase one for this game.
· The game's combat system goes beyond simple button mashing, requiring strategic play that depletes enemy stamina through combos, perfect parries, and dodges.
· Various types of weapons are featured, and switching weapons triggers spectacular visual effects, enhancing immersion.
· While you might rely on button mashing initially, compared to games like Nioh, it feels more action-oriented.

· PlayStation 5 games can be easily purchased on GGL, which offers various games and discounts.
· Highly anticipated titles like GTA 6 are also available for pre-order, and you can buy games for platforms like Steam, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.
· The game begins with the protagonist 'Soul' being defeated but magically healed, setting up a story where he must seek revenge within 66 days.
· The 66-day time limit, along with four difficulty levels (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Challenge Mode), offers players a wide range of choices.
· The Challenge Mode, in particular, is so difficult that even the development team couldn't clear it, posing a significant challenge to hardcore gamers.
· Difficulty can be adjusted during gameplay; the initial easy difficulty became more engaging after adjustment.

· Developed with Unreal Engine 5, 'Phantom Blade Zero' generally showcases next-gen graphics.
· Some textures might appear blurry, and even in performance mode, there are moments of frame drops, so it's not perfect performance-wise.
· However, the gameplay itself is very fast and precise, offering a visually beautiful and dynamic combat experience.
· The weak point attack, heavy attack, and combo systems are well-implemented, and with more combos than Nioh, it sometimes feels like a slasher game.
· Through blocking, dodging, and perfect parries, you can deplete enemy stamina and fight without taking damage.
· A variety of weapons are featured, each with unique attack styles and animations, adding diversity to gameplay.

· Initially, the combat in 'Phantom Blade Zero' felt similar to Devil May Cry, but I eventually concluded it's more akin to the Chinese developer's 'Wukong'.
· Similarities to 'Wukong' can be felt in the boss atmosphere, storytelling, and cutscenes.
· The early missions and boss fights are very well-directed, with flashy action and presentation standing out.
· Battles with numerous enemies and the fast pace can overwhelm the player, but they also provide visual enjoyment.
· Compared to Nioh, 'Phantom Blade Zero' has a faster and more spectacular combat style.
· However, the intricate finishing moves seen in games like Nioh might feel relatively lacking.

· The game consists of clearly defined semi-open world areas with some branching paths along a linear route.
· You sometimes need to revisit areas to complete side missions, and a required sub-weapon system to reach certain points is similar to Nioh.
· Specific weapons, like an axe, are needed against enemies with shields, adding strategic depth to combat.
· Personally, I find the level design better than Nioh's semi-open world.
· I fought two bosses; the first was easy, but the second required multiple attempts.
· Boss fights heavily feature Soulslike elements such as defense, stamina management, parrying, and dodging dangerous attacks.
· The stat upgrade system is relatively simple and progresses quickly during gameplay.

· 'Phantom Blade Zero' offers a Soulslike experience while lowering the entry barrier with its fast pace and beautiful visuals.
· This game, a PlayStation 5 exclusive, is expected to further enhance the console's value.
· The game allows for difficulty adjustments so all players can enjoy it, and it also provides a Challenge Mode for those seeking a difficult challenge.
· Regular monsters don't respawn, reducing the tedium of repetitive farming, and boss fights offer the convenience of resuming from the second phase.
· These conveniences make the game easier and more fun, reducing player stress.
· The DualSense controller's adaptive triggers and haptic feedback enhance the gaming experience, but the lack of Russian voice acting is a drawback.

· 'Phantom Blade Zero' has left a very positive overall first impression.
· The game's speed and incredibly beautiful combat system will captivate players.
· This game has high potential to be an excellent PlayStation 5 exclusive, further increasing the console's value alongside the upcoming GTA 6.
· I haven't finished the game yet, but I plan to complete it before release to provide a review.
· While I don't know the final outcome of the game, my experience so far has been very satisfying.
· Especially considering the high expectations set by other great games I've played recently, like 'Onimusha', 'Phantom Blade Zero' shows the potential to meet those expectations.

· 'Phantom Blade Zero' is a game enjoyable for players of all experience levels.
· Hardcore gamers can experience extreme challenges through high difficulty and the 66-day challenge, while casual players can enjoy the game's beautiful visuals and fast combat.
· This game is more likely to bring joy than frustration to players, and future updates and content additions are anticipated.
· If you own a PlayStation 5, I highly recommend this game.
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· See you in the next video!