Phantom Blade Zero is set to impress players not only with its cinematic combat but also with an intricate honor system, as revealed by game director Soulframe. This system is comprised of two key aspects, with the player character’s internal code of honor seemingly having consequences that extend far beyond simply allowing an opponent a moment to retrieve their dropped weapon.
In a recent interview shared on Phantom Blade Zero’s social media, Soulframe elaborated on the game’s honor system. It features two distinct elements: Wu and Xia. Wu pertains to external expression, particularly through martial arts combat, while Xia is a much more internal component. Within the game, players will observe a connection between side quests and main story missions, enabling a significant butterfly effect through honorable actions. Adhering to one’s code will lead to actions having a greater impact on the overall game world.
The exact implementation of this system within the game remains to be seen. While an honor system might draw comparisons to Red Dead Redemption 2, it’s unlikely to involve trivial actions like tipping every NPC to gain honor. Instead, it appears players will be faced with significant decisions at critical junctures, testing their commitment to their code of honor or their willingness to abandon it when it matters most.