Phantom Blade Zero Developer Shares Story Length, Confirm Gameplay Details (30-40 hours, stylish 2 button combos, semi-open world, 2-3 core dev team)

Shoot · May 30, 2023

Phantom Blade Zero Developer Shares Story Length, Confirm Gameplay Details

S-GAME, the developer behind Phantom Blade Zero, has shared the length of the game's main story along with details regarding the gameplay.

twistedvoxel.com

S-GAME, the developer behind third-person action role-playing game Phantom Blade Zero, has shared the length of the game's main story along with details regarding the gameplay.

Additionally, there are several side quests to take on as well as a wealth of endgame content that will unlock upon the completion of the main story, including various multiplayer dungeons, a boss rush mode, rogue-like abysses, and more.

In response to a question regarding the authenticity of the gameplay shown in the PlayStation Showcase trailer, the developer stated that the action sequences seen in the trailer feature actual combat captured in-engine. However, for the purpose of the trailer, the studio used a more "cinematic" camera and specifically set certain angles. The developer said that, in the actual game, the combat will have a more stable camera with a larger Field of View. The action will look much clearer, although less impactful compared to the trailer in order to avoid causing dizziness.

In response to a question regarding the game's release window, the developer stated that it was currently unable to provide a specific time frame for its release. The early concept for Phantom Blade Zero was written and designed in 2017, but the actual development started in early 2022 with a small team of 2-3 core members. S-GAME also clarified that it currently does not have any exclusivity agreements with any of the console manufacturers, and that it plans on launching the game simultaneously across multiple platforms.

Deleted member 93062 · May 30, 2023

I thought it looked incredible at the showcase but 30-40 hours is an instant turnoff for me, especially for a "semi-open world" game.

Fat4all · May 30, 2023

i expected it was massaged a bit in how it shows stuff, still, looks nice

would like to see some raw gameplay soon

edit:

but the actual development started in early 2022 with a small team of 2-3 core members. S-GAME also clarified that it currently does not have any exclusivity agreements with any of the console manufacturers, and that it plans on launching the game simultaneously across multiple platforms.

whelp prob not gonna see anything sizable soon then lol

Callibretto · May 30, 2023

Sullivan said:
I thought it looked incredible at the showcase but 30-40 hours is an instant turnoff for me, especially for a "semi-open world" game.

I don't think 10 hour single player only game is viable nowadays, 20 hour to complete, 30-40 for completion seems like the range nowaday

Deleted member 93062 · May 31, 2023

Callibretto said:
I don't think 10 hour single player only game is viable nowadays, 20 hour to complete, 30-40 for completion seems like the range nowaday

It's a bummer. I think 10-15 is the sweet spot and 20 is probably pushing it for me for linear or "open linear" games.

Res · May 31, 2023

The early concept for Phantom Blade Zero was written and designed in 2017, but the actual development started in early 2022 with a small team of 2-3 core members.

I don't think this will release until 2026 at the earliest

Krazie · May 31, 2023

Wouldn't be surprised if this game never sees the light of day.

Lotus · May 31, 2023

2-3 core members? RIP on seeing it anytime soon

psynergyadept · May 31, 2023

liking the sound of all of that!!

bitcloudrzr · May 31, 2023

Sullivan said:
It's a bummer. I think 10-15 is the sweet spot and 20 is probably pushing it for me for linear or "open linear" games.

Is it 30-40 full game or just the story?

Paquete_PT · May 31, 2023

30-40h game on a 3 person team? Well, good luck with that.

Rahkeesh · May 31, 2023

They said they started with 2-3 core members. I assume they have far more than that now to pull off what they did in a year, or else leaning heavily on outsourcing. Could still be quite a ways till finish though.

Lt. Hannah Stone · May 31, 2023

Refreshing to see such an honest and transparent dev. Answered virtually every question I had.

Good luck.

Chung · May 31, 2023

Sounds similar to how Ni-oh is structured.

Deleted member 93062 · May 31, 2023

bitcloudrzr said:
Is it 30-40 full game or just the story?

With regards to the length of Phantom Blade Zero's main story, the developer stated that it should take approximately 30 to 40 hours to complete. Additionally, there are several side quests to take on as well as a wealth of endgame content that will unlock upon the completion of the main story, including various multiplayer dungeons, a boss rush mode, rogue-like abysses, and more.

This reads to me like 30 to 40 hours for main story alone.

bitcloudrzr · May 31, 2023

Sullivan said:
This reads to me like 30 to 40 hours for main story alone.

Oh shit lol, AC length.

PBalfredo · May 31, 2023

2-3 core members, plus 68 contract workers and two outsource studios, I bet

The_Noobiablos · May 31, 2023

but the actual development started in early 2022 with a small team of 2-3 core members.

Yeah, I'm calling this one vaporware in the worst case scenario, 2025 release in the best case scenario.

Callibretto · May 31, 2023

Lost Souls Aside started as 1 man project. as long as they expand now to make the game, hopefully it'll be fine...

TetraGenesis · May 31, 2023

I didn't get the impression that the dev team was still 2-3 core members, just that it started as that in 2022. I'm certainly not assuming it's much more now or that we'll see this game any time soon (if ever) but I think "there are 2-3 devs working on this" is the wrong conclusion to draw from this article.

Son of Sparda · May 31, 2023

In response to a question regarding the authenticity of the gameplay shown in the PlayStation Showcase trailer, the developer stated that the action sequences seen in the trailer feature actual combat captured in-engine. However, for the purpose of the trailer, the studio used a more "cinematic" camera and specifically set certain angles. The developer said that, in the actual game, the combat will have a more stable camera with a larger Field of View. The action will look much clearer, although less impactful compared to the trailer in order to avoid causing dizziness.

So not actual gameplay like how everyone suspected.

ToddBonzalez · May 31, 2023

Wait, uh 2-3 core members?? Did they mean 200-300?

Deleted member 93062 · May 31, 2023

Son of Sparda said:
So not actual gameplay like how everyone suspected.

Also seems like a lot of it is pre-scripted combos and stuff:

Having a decade of mobile development under our belts, we've learned to simplify control inputs for touchscreens, giving players ways to execute elaborate moves without mindless "button-mashing." We've taken these lessons and applied them to action gameplay with a controller.

BabyDontHurtMe · May 31, 2023

There was that Bright Memory Infinite game that was apparently made by a solo developer and that launched. It really depends on how much the developer grows and how much outsourcing they get. It unfortunately sounds like the game is pretty far out but we'll see.

Son of Sparda · May 31, 2023

Sullivan said:
Also seems like a lot of it is pre-scripted combos and stuff:

Yea, makes sense. There is no way they can do like actual combat that flows that flawlessly. Just animation wise it simply wouldn't work.

wafflebrain · May 31, 2023

Son of Sparda said:
Yea, makes sense. There is no way they can do like actual combat that flows that flawlessly. Just animation wise it simply wouldn't work.

"Press X + Y for awesome" the game.

I liked the trailer even with the overly flashy/scripted animations. 2-3 core members tho 🤔

Gavalanche · May 31, 2023

Combat reminds me of Ninja Blade really. Less visible QTEs but if it is based on the same concept it's still the same.

Callibretto · May 31, 2023

don't mind flashy scripted animation really. most of what people love in Spider-Man gameplay are the flashy scripted takedown animation

AzorAhai · May 31, 2023

Wait this is a real game? It looked like a fake Asian vaporware publishers use to fill up a showcase.

Interested then. The length seems a bit much though.

KillLaCam · May 31, 2023

Sullivan said:
I thought it looked incredible at the showcase but 30-40 hours is an instant turnoff for me, especially for a "semi-open world" game.

30-40 hours with a 2-3 person main team doesn't really sound like a good goal

naff · May 31, 2023

Sullivan said:
It's a bummer. I think 10-15 is the sweet spot and 20 is probably pushing it for me for linear or "open linear" games.

dw, this is vaporware for now

Patitoloco · May 31, 2023

Yeah, with that team size this clearly doesn't exist (at least in its current form) or will exist.

Semi open world, 30h game, made by two dudes. Good luck.

Deluxera · May 31, 2023

Finally a game to join Lost Soul Aside and Black Myth Wukong to form The Holy Trinity of Chinese Vapoware™

Glio · May 31, 2023

Deluxera said:
Finally a game to join Lost Soul Aside and Black Myth Wukong to form The Holy Trinity of Chinese Vapoware™

Why are they all ARPG/hack and slash?

Patitoloco · May 31, 2023

Glio said:
Why are they all ARPG/hack and slash?

Because it's probably what investors are looking for in Asia.

nsilvias · May 31, 2023

small dev team and 40 hour open world? its biomutant all over again.

Footos22 · May 31, 2023

This ain't ever coming out

Type VII · May 31, 2023

Given the games it looks like, I'm hoping there's no high difficulty/lack of difficulty settings here.

Yonafunu · May 31, 2023

I need to see some actual, raw gameplay. I don't buy anything I see in that trailer.

anexanhume · May 31, 2023

Sullivan said:
Also seems like a lot of it is pre-scripted combos and stuff:

Press 'A' for awesome.

Bláthanna · May 31, 2023

Glio said:
Why are they all ARPG/hack and slash?

Flashy combat gets people's attention easily.

Dust · May 31, 2023

I hope it delivers and it isn't smoke and mirrors. I quite like how it looks.

PlanetSmasher · May 31, 2023

Lotus said:
2-3 core members? RIP on seeing it anytime soon

Yeah, this has vaporware written all over it.

Cheat Code · May 31, 2023

Chinese devs are genuinely insane so I can actually see them pulling it off.

The core gameplay of Bright Memory is still one the best in the genre and that was made by one maniac on his own.

Zyrox · May 31, 2023

Seeing not even a release year at the end of that trailer was a huge red flag. Really turns the question of the games' release from a when to an if.

Rowsdower · May 31, 2023

Dust said:
I hope it delivers and it isn't smoke and mirrors. I quite like how it looks.

Sums up my feelings.

Schlomo · May 31, 2023

Do these 2-3 people have thousands of outsourcing staff at their disposal or how the hell does that work?

AEF1907 · May 31, 2023

Schlomo said:
Do these 2-3 people have thousands of outsourcing staff at their disposal or how the hell does that work?

That was apparently at the start of the project, they don't say how many they are now 🤷‍♂️

SketchDog · May 31, 2023

#team2024

Synohan · May 31, 2023

Yeah, not feeling that combat information at all.

Phantom Blade Zero Developer Shares Story Length, Confirm Gameplay Details (30-40 hours, stylish 2 button combos, semi-open world, 2-3 core dev team)

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