Phantom Blade Zero does an Elden Ring boss leagues better than FromSoftware

After going hands-on with Phantom Blade Zero for six hours, I can’t stop thinking about it, specifically a boss fight that’s done 10 times better than even one of FromSoftware’s own creations.

Phantom Blade Zero is an upcoming action-adventure game from S-Game, though like many AAA titles nowadays, it has the vibe of a soulslike. It combines the same brutal, quick-paced combat with more lenient and kind penalties for dying. Basically, you can throw yourself at a boss as many times as you need to without losing experience or upgrades.

Throughout my hands-on session, there was one boss in particular that really stood out to me, mainly because it felt like a refined take on a boss FromSoftware nearly got right.

Phantom Blade Zero makes an Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree boss feel like a prototype

You may have seen from Phantom Blade Zero’s promotional material a boss called Lion Dance Grandmaster. As the name implies, it takes inspiration from the traditional Chinese performance art, but with a homicidal twist of course…

I got to face this mighty opponent during my preview and my mind instantly went back to Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, which features a similar boss called Divine Beast Dancing Lion.

Based on my own experience playing and what I heard at the time of the DLCs launch, the fight wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s still one of the standouts of the expansion in my opinion.

However, Phantom Blade Zero is leagues beyond even FromSoftware’s work when it comes to the Lion Dance Grandmaster. It’s one of the many bosses of the preview that I wanted to fight over and over again.

S-Game

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The Phantom Blade Zero Lion Dance Grandmaster boss is a masterclass in spectacle

This two-phase fight was nothing short of exhilarating. Like real-life performances, it felt like it was composed of three distinct acts, with each one ramping up in intensity before a fireball of a finale.

The Lionmaster prances around the arena with grace before lashing at you with its spiked mane. Its head rapidly gyrates in an intimidating, but entertaining manner. Eventually, it begins to channel the elements as it spews fire from its mouth, but with the right Phantom Edge special weapons, you can extinguish the blaze to put the beast at a disadvantage.

All of this is beautifully scored by a soundtrack that makes you feel like you're on stage, even though there’s no audience.

The crescendo comes shortly after, when the Lionmaster leaps into the stands and summons his minions to chip away at your health. They’re easily slain, and when the last one falls, you use their lion masks to play your foe at his own game.

Pillars sprout from the ground, carrying you upwards as a new, rhythmic phase of the battle begins. You jump from pillar to pillar, dodging incoming fireballs whilst firing off your own, and when one finally lands, the Lionmaster will tumble to the ground, stunned. As all of this is going on, the score rises in intensity with the sweet, sweet music blaring into your ears as if in support of your endeavours.

It’s such a memorable experience and when I finally brought the lion to its knees, I wasn’t overcome with joy. I was actually disappointed that the ride was over.

Out of all the bosses I encountered in my hands-in for Phantom Blade Zero, it was the Lionmaster that stood out amongst the rest. That’s not to say the other bosses were any less impressive, but this one was special.

It ticks all the boxes for what a good boss should be. When I eventually replay Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, I just know I’m going to feel indifferent when I reach the Divine Beast Dancing Lion, because I’ve seen what a perfect take on that fight can look like.

While I’m yet to play the full game, that's a genuine fear I have for Phantom Blade Zero. I’m worried it’s going to ruin other video game bosses for me. I’ve had a taste of perfection and I’m hungry for more.