Video games news, releases, esports and culture — all the biggest gaming stories in one place.
Poll: Is Phantom Blade Zero Too Hard?
A poll asks players whether *Phantom Blade Zero* is too difficult, after mixed reactions to its challenge. The discussion matters because the game has been compared with demanding action RPGs, though its developer says it is not a Soulslike and includes difficulty settings.
The game offers Wayfarer, Pathbreaker and the harder Hellwalker setting, and players do not lose resources when they die. Its forgiving structure contrasts with combat that rewards defensive timing and learning enemy patterns; some players report manageable progress, while others point to difficult bosses and spikes. Player comments also compare its normal setting with *Stellar Blade*, with views differing on which is harder.
In short
- Players disagree over how difficult *Phantom Blade Zero* is.
- Hellwalker is its hardest setting.
- Combat timing and boss difficulty shape the challenge.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Players who find the game too hard can point to demanding bosses and sudden difficulty spikes, alongside combat that expects careful timing and repeated study of enemy patterns. Difficulty settings may not fully address that experience if the main challenge still feels like a barrier to enjoying the game.
The case against
Players who do not find it too hard can point to its three difficulty settings and the fact that death does not cost resources, which makes experimentation less punishing. The challenge can also be seen as a deliberate part of mastering its combat, and reports of manageable progress suggest that difficulty varies by player.