Phantom Blade Zero Hands-On & Hellraiser Is BRUTAL | Between Levels Podcast Ep. 15

Phantom Blade Zero is getting closer and after spending six hours with the latest build, Sarthe thinks it could be something very special. In Episode 15 of Between Levels, WheelieAverage, FightinCowboy and Sarthe dive deep into Phantom Blade Zero. Sarthe has now played the game five different times and breaks down its incredibly fluid combat, huge weapon variety, free respec system, level design, difficulty options, soundtrack and why S-GAME is so adamant that this is NOT a Soulslike. Cowboy hasn't played it yet, but Phantom Blade Zero has become one of his most anticipated games and everything Sarthe says only makes that anticipation worse. Wheelie also gives his impressions of Hellraiser, a survival horror game that combines elements reminiscent of Resident Evil and Silent Hill with an uncompromising approach to the body horror that defines the Hellraiser franchise. It definitely isn't for everyone. We also return to Gears of War: E-Day as Cowboy and Sarthe approach the end of the campaign, discuss the game's more open structure, co-op, horror influences and why it may be one of the best-looking Unreal Engine 5 games yet. Plus, we discuss the best video game music of 2026, 007 First Light, Star Wars: Galactic Racer, Forever Ago, Control Resonant and the increasingly impossible task of choosing a Game of the Year. Featuring WheelieAverage, FightinCowboy and Sarthe. CHAPTERS 00:00 – Welcome to Between Levels Episode 15 00:25 – Dragon's Dogma, Review Backlash & Media Literacy 05:25 – Why People Twist Reviewers' Opinions 07:27 – Gears of War: E-Day Impressions 08:33 – Does E-Day's Open Structure Hurt the Pacing? 11:49 – Will E-Day Explain Why Marcus Was Imprisoned? 15:01 – Why E-Day Feels Like Classic Gears Again 17:31 – Gears of War: E-Day Is a Blast in Co-Op 18:34 – Is E-Day the Best-Looking UE5 Game Yet? 19:00 – Hellraiser Impressions 20:20 – HELLRAISER SPOILERS BEGIN 21:45 – The Labyrinth & Genesis Configuration 24:31 – Resident Evil Meets Silent Hill 26:14 – Hellraiser's Biggest Problem 28:27 – Who Should Play Hellraiser? 31:07 – Phantom Blade Zero Hands-On 33:04 – Why Cowboy Is Already All-In 34:30 – Phantom Blade Zero Is NOT a Soulslike 36:07 – Level Design, Exploration & Story 38:17 – Combat, Parrying & Motion Capture 40:22 – Difficulty Options & Player Choice 41:16 – Could Phantom Blade Zero Have the Best Soundtrack? 43:42 – Phantom Blade Zero's Weapon Variety 45:39 – Sarthe's Biggest Concern 47:15 – How Phantom Blade Zero's Map Works 47:40 – The 66 Lives New Game+ Mode 49:48 – What Has the Best Video Game Music of 2026? 52:58 – Star Wars: Galactic Racer's Soundtrack 53:26 – Forever Ago Deserves More Attention 54:53 – 007 First Light's Incredible Sound Design 57:19 – How Do We Pick GOTY in a Year This Stacked? 58:39 – Should Licensed Music Win Best Soundtrack? 1:00:37 – There Is NO Break From New Games 1:02:39 – Community Comments 1:04:07 – Wheelie's Mystery 2027 Game 1:05:16 – Outro #PhantomBladeZero #Hellraiser #BetweenLevels