Following The Game Awards 2025, Phantom Blade Zero director Soulframe Liang has shared some of the advice he received from the team at Sandfall Interactive, the developer of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Talking to members of the studio after their meteoric sweep of awards, their key advice Liang got is to "cut things" and "polish the rest." Set to launch in September 2026, Phantom Blade Zero is one of the next big-budget games to be developed in China, following a slew of hits from the country like Black Myth: Wukong, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, and Where Winds Meet. Early impressions of the game are positive, and there's a good chance we will see it appear at next year's show. With potential to be the next Black Myth: Wukong breakout, Phantom Blade Zero gets September 2026 release date Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 studio's next game won't necessarily be an RPG: "We don't want to be constrained by story, art style or gameplay" Phantom Blade Zero bosses might normally have "Soulslike elements," but on harder difficulties, their AI borrows from fighting games: "He will analyze the situation" However, the advice Liang received was probably not what he was expecting. "One of the most important and interesting things they told us was that for the last nine months, the most important thing is to delete things. To cut things [from the game] and to polish the rest." Delete your art might be a meme among the creative industry, but it's one for a reason. Restrictions often lead to greater creativity and, eventually, a tighter, better-crafted product. It seems Liang agrees. "So yeah, it's a good idea," he continues. "And I will take that advice." With potential to be the next Black Myth: Wukong breakout, Phantom Blade Zero gets September 2026 release date