Phantom Blade Zero: Everything You Should Know

Phantom Blade Zero, the upcoming action RPG from Chinese developer S-GAME, is set to launch on October 29, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and PC. Players in the Americas and select other regions will be able to start playing on October 28.

Built around fast-paced martial arts combat and a dark fantasy world inspired by Chinese wuxia fiction, the game has attracted attention for its cinematic sword fights and distinctive visual style. With launch just days away, here's what players should know before jumping in.

The digital editions are available for pre-order, while physical PS5 editions are planned for 2027. No Xbox version has been announced.

Story and Setting

In Phantom Blade Zero, players take on the role of Soul, an elite assassin belonging to a mysterious organization known as The Order.

After being framed for the murder of his master, Soul is hunted by his former allies and suffers a fatal wound to his heart. A temporary replacement saves his life, but leaves him with only 66 days to live.

With time running out, Soul travels across the Wulin, the martial arts underworld, searching for the truth behind the conspiracy and a way to survive.

The game's setting combines traditional Chinese martial arts with dark fantasy, mechanical technology, and supernatural elements. S-GAME calls this distinctive style "Kungfupunk," drawing inspiration from classic wuxia stories and Hong Kong martial arts cinema.

Phantom Blade Zero is also connected to S-GAME's earlier Phantom Blade and Rainblood series, although newcomers won't need to play the previous games to understand its story.

Gameplay

Phantom Blade Zero is a third-person action RPG focused on fast, fluid melee combat. Players can chain together sword attacks, parries, dodges, and finishing moves to create fights that resemble scenes from a martial arts movie.

The combat may remind players of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, particularly its emphasis on timing and defensive counters. However, Phantom Blade Zero also takes inspiration from stylish action games like Devil May Cry, encouraging players to experiment with different weapons and combinations.

Unlike traditional Soulslike games, it offers selectable difficulty settings, making the experience more accessible to players who want to focus on the story and combat spectacle.

Weapons, Phantom Edges, and Combat Techniques

One of the game's biggest attractions is its weapon variety. S-GAME has revealed more than 30 primary weapons and 25 secondary weapons known as Phantom Edges.

Players can equip two primary weapons and two Phantom Edges, switching between them during combat. Each weapon has its own attacks and techniques, while certain defeated enemies can provide new weapons and abilities.

The latest trailer also showcases a wide range of weapons, including metal umbrellas, dual blades, long swords, and chains. Each comes with its own fighting style and visual effects, from flaming attacks to powerful waves of sword energy, adding even more variety to combat.

Combat also revolves around a resource called Sha-Chi, which plays an important role in attacking and defending. Well-timed parries and dodges help players maintain pressure, while careless fighting can leave Soul vulnerable.

The system is designed to make complex-looking combinations easier to perform without removing the importance of timing, positioning, and learning enemy attack patterns.

Exploration, Side Quests, and Boss Fights

Despite its large environments, Phantom Blade Zero is not a fully open-world game. Instead, it features interconnected, semi-open areas filled with hidden paths, optional bosses, side quests, and secrets.

Some locations can only be reached after obtaining specific weapons or tools, giving players reasons to revisit earlier areas. Exploration can also uncover additional storylines and influence how the adventure unfolds.

Stealth is another option. Players can approach enemies unnoticed, perform surprise attacks, or eliminate smaller groups before entering a larger fight.

The game also features multiple endings, with player choices and optional quests contributing to different outcomes.

What Are Early Reviews Saying About Phantom Blade Zero?

Early hands-on impressions have been largely positive, particularly when it comes to combat and boss design.

In an October 9 preview, IGN's Travis Northup described the combat as some of the smoothest and most satisfying since Sekiro. After spending six hours with the game, he also praised the variety of boss encounters and the number of secrets hidden throughout its environments.

RPGFan similarly highlighted the game's exploration, noting that its interconnected levels encourage players to search for hidden areas, optional fights, and useful equipment rather than simply rushing from one boss to the next.

However, IGN also reported occasional frame-rate hitches during its PC preview, raising questions about performance optimization ahead of launch.

These impressions are based on pre-release builds rather than the finished game. Full reviews will provide a clearer picture of its performance, story, and overall quality.

Editor's Comment

Phantom Blade Zero looks promising for players who enjoy Sekiro-style combat but want more freedom to experiment with weapons and combos. Its martial arts choreography is already a standout feature. The bigger question is whether the full game can maintain that quality across its story, exploration, and boss fights.