How Phantom Blade Zero’s music drove the design of its boss battles

In a unique development departure from industry standards, the music for Phantom Blade Zero hasn’t just been reactive—it has been a primary source of inspiration for the game’s actual design. According to reporting by PCGamesN, composer Caisheng Bo revealed that he often creates musical scores before the corresponding boss fights are even finalized or modeled.

A reversed development cycle

Instead of waiting for boss encounters to be built before adding audio, Bo and Creative Director Soulframe (S) utilized their long-standing trust to experiment with a “music-first” approach. In some instances, S-Game would ask the composer to create a piece of music without any existing art or mechanics, simply using the soundscape to spark creativity. Bo noted that while this leads to a more integrated audio experience, it is an experimental process; early versions of boss music, including a track for an optional bride boss that the development team found “offensive,” had to be scrapped or reworked during the process.

Blending traditional and modern sounds

Bo’s creative vision centers on blending traditional Chinese instrumentation with modern influences, specifically rock, metal, and electronic dance music. Bo expressed a desire to push beyond the standard classical pieces usually performed by trained Chinese musicians, aiming to innovate by mixing centuries-old instruments with contemporary genres. This stylistic commitment ensures that the game’s audio stands as its own distinct character, rather than just serving as background noise during gameplay.

Why it matters

For players, this unconventional workflow suggests an unusually high level of synergy between the game’s high-octane combat and its sound design. Rather than music being an afterthought, it acts as a foundational pillar for the game’s boss fights, potentially creating more cohesive and intense encounters.

Players interested in the tracks that didn’t make the final cut will have a chance to hear them through a dedicated in-game music player included in the pre-order deluxe edition. This collection will feature the aforementioned “bride” music and an experimental jazz piece utilizing traditional Chinese instruments, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the composer’s more controversial or unconventional drafts.