After Onimusha's focused swordplay, Phantom Blade Zero delivers a sprawling, maximalist action epic

Phantom Blade Zero, released just 15 hours ago, has far surpassed the scope of my previous Souls campaign experience. As I've switched weapons more times than I typically do in an entire Souls game, I found myself drawn to twin blades that emit a trail of magical flowers with each swing. The game's ambition is exciting, promising about a hundred thrilling boss fights remaining.

However, the game's expansive narrative and numerous characters and relationships can be overwhelming for newcomers, often feeling like an infodump from someone who knows the story inside out. The developers attempt to start in media res, giving the protagonist a sense of urgency, but the flashbacks and incidental storytelling often provide vague references to events and characters that are difficult to follow for new players.

While the game's storytelling may not be as evocative as BioShock's audio vignettes, its weapon variety blends modern action RPG elements with the feel and combo variations of 2000s character action games, creating a unique and enjoyable experience.