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A Beautiful but Familiar Hack-and-Slash - Phantom Blade: Executioners First Impressions

87K View2022-08-27

Soulgame’s Phantom Blade: Executioners is a title that’s in closed beta from August 18 to September 16. It’s described as a “kungfupunk” action-RPG, and this second beta test offers a new chapter, refundable microtransactions, two advanced career paths for The Chord character, and more.

Phantom Blade’s gorgeous visuals are amplified by its use of Chinese artwork and its steampunk (or kungfupunk...?) vibe. Both of these elements fit in well with the game’s rather intriguing narrative—a dark tale of illicit magic and body modification where people choose power over their own well-being. As the story unfolded, I discovered the hidden truths behind the Sha-Chi Mod and encountered a bevy of curious characters. During this beta I also experienced a new story chapter titled “A Failure’s Redemption,” while familiarizing myself with The Chord character who plays a pipa (a Chinese lute) and also uses it as a weapon. She also has two advanced career paths and seems to be a game-changer because of how she approaches things on the battlefield with her largely ranged attacks.

The Chord’s additions to Phantom Blade didn’t stop the combat from feeling very same-y to me, however. I’ve played literally dozens of beat-em-ups, brawlers, and hack-and-slash games like this in the past. In fact, I recently wrote an article on TapTap about my affinity for this genre. Phantom Blade offers some ways to switch up your styles of play between the quick character (Mu Xiaokui) and the strong character (Soul), and the cool combos they’ll unleash during the real-time battles. There are also branching paths in the levels that typically lead you to some impressive loot or one of the curious characters I mention above. But the gameplay mechanics still fall in the “been there, done that” realm for sure.

On top of that—and this feels like something I harp on a lot, but it still bears mentioning—touch controls feel wrong in an experience like this. There are too many action “buttons” (six in all) in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen. They take up way too much screen space and are too close to one another. There were many times when I wanted to attack and I wound up jumping and vice-versa...and that just can’t happen in a game that requires quick, precise movements to be successful. Notably, Phantom Blade: Executioners is also coming to PC and consoles, and the developer plans to carry controller support from those platforms over to the mobile version in the future. For now, though, it is touch controls only.

Since this is only a beta, you should keep in mind that characters will be erased after this test, and any microtransactions purchased will be refunded. In addition to that, when the open beta begins some time after September 16, a 100% gratitude bonus will be granted.

Phantom Blade: Executioners is unquestionably a beautiful game with some fantastic production values for its graphics, sound, voices, and music. I liken this title to chatting online with a lovely person all week, then meeting them in person only to find out that they’re rather boring and dull in the flesh—it’s disappointing, but life goes on, as will this game’s beta. I don’t know if any of the issues I mention here can or will be addressed prior to the full launch, because Phantom Blade seems pretty locked in, content-wise, at this stage of the game. Regardless, there’s a solid, if very familiar, game already plugging along here.

💬 Planning to check out Phantom Blade: Executioners at some point? Let us know in the comments! And if not, let us know what some of your favorite hack-and-slash games are!

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