Composer Caisheng Bo has revealed that the soundtrack for Phantom Blade Zero is considered 'offensive' by some Chinese players because he uses traditional instruments like the pipa in unconventional ways. In an interview with GameCentral, Bo explained that he deliberately breaks from Chinese musical tradition to innovate, a decision that has divided local audiences.
Phantom Blade Zero, developed by S-Game, blends wuxia action with a chaotic score that mixes Chinese and Western influences, including metal, dance, and hip hop. The music is most prominent in boss fights, where it shifts between phases, and is even integrated into the game's difficulty system.
Breaking with Tradition
Bo, who has worked with S-Game founder Soulframe Liang for 19 years, said the game's music is the most polished and matured of the series. He noted that Western players were more excited about the soundtrack than Chinese locals, who found it 'too aggressive' or 'a little bit offensive.'
The composer explained that he tuned the pipa, often described as the Chinese guitar, in an unusual way. 'A lot of people are like you shouldn't tune the pipa, it's just too much,' he said. He chose to ignore such criticism, stating that the best way to protect culture is through innovation.
Music That Reacts to Gameplay
Bo revealed that the music in Phantom Blade Zero is designed to adapt to player performance. If a player dies too many times in a boss fight, the music gradually becomes quieter, allowing sound effects to take precedence. This system was designed to keep players focused on combat while still emphasising the soundtrack.
He also noted that during exploration, the music does not switch to a battle track when enemies appear. Instead, drums or other instruments are layered on top of the exploration theme for a smoother transition. Bo works closely with the sound effects team, though he joked that he often has to apologise because his music takes priority in the audio mix.
Why He Won't Return for a Sequel
Bo confirmed that Phantom Blade Zero is likely his last game in the series. He said the team at S-Game has achieved everything they wanted in wuxia and Chinese fantasy, and he does not know what else he could write for another such game.
He is now working on Tides Of Annihilation, a game set in London, which allows him to explore Western fantasy motifs and orchestration. Bo attributed the recent boom in Chinese console gaming to Black Myth: Wukong, which prompted many players to buy new PCs or PlayStation 5 consoles, creating a new audience for single-player games.
