Surprises are rare in gaming. At first glance, Phantom Blade Zero had all the hallmarks of a solid, if middle-of-the-road, release. Now that I’ve sunk almost 20 hours into this wuxia- and martial arts-inspired roleplaying game (RPG), it’s clear S-Game has delivered one of the most thrilling action games in a long time. A blistering opening sets the tone, with bombastic battles, dramatic visuals, and gorgeous cinematics that introduce wandering warrior Soul and the reason he’s on a battle-filled journey across the corrupted land of Wulin. The 20+ hour adventure that lies ahead may not deliver everything narratively, but it excels with a stunning world to explore and combat that sings. Review info
Platform reviewed: PS5
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Release date: October 29, 2026
It’s clear that so much effort has gone into getting this combat spot on, with detailed weapon designs, satisfying sound effects, and some truly outstanding animations. Every time I saw a new weapon or secondary Phantom Art from the impressive variety in the game in action, I was dazzled by the string of attacks and finishing-move flourishes it offered. Of course, not all of them were bangers or suited the way I wanted to play, but the better ones stand out way more than the bad, which gave me a lot of tough choices when deciding which two I wanted to upgrade and wield. Even though I stuck with a few favorites throughout the game, I rarely tired of stringing together the intricate combos each one offered. Having flashy weapons is all well and good, but if you don’t have decent dance partners to put them to use against, it can get dull fast. Outside of a few exceptions, fodder enemies are fairly easy to cut your way through, but Phantom Blade Zero doesn’t miss a beat with its lineup of tough and inventive boss encounters that will put your skills and weapon choices to the test. Stop trying to hit me and hit me
(Image credit: Future / S-Game) What I appreciated most is that, while these bouts are often a relentless barrage of attacks from either side, combat is actually quite forgiving. That mainly comes from the option to hold block to deflect most attacks. This will drain your sha-chi (effectively a stamina resource that’s also used for certain skills and abilities), but it lasts a lot longer and can be refilled with a quick weapon switch to keep you in the fight longer. You can also choose to try and parry attacks with perfect timing as they land, meaning you do not lose this resource and drain more from your opponent instead, leaving them open to a lot of attacks while it recharges. (Image credit: Future / S-Game) Mix in attacks with blue flashes that can be parried with perfect timing to deliver a devastating counterattack, and red flash attacks that must be dodged to avoid significant damage, and combat becomes chaotic but not overwhelming. Best bit
(Image credit: Future / S-Game) Unlocking a new weapon or Phantom Art and seeing what animations have been cooked up to show it off is one of the most exciting parts of Phantom Blade Zero . The work that has gone into making each piece of equipment unique is impressive, creating an arsenal of gear that is acrobatic, impactful, and continuously satisfying to wield. Thankfully, the game is also generous with resources, so you can try lots of these weapons with ease to find favorites. Key moves you need to watch out for are very readable, while the ability to block almost everything else means you have time to study the opponent’s moves, find your own windows to attack, and survive any small slip-ups — rather than being repeatedly punished for imperfect play. That’s not to say Phantom Blade Zero is without any degree of challenge. A good handful of bosses did flatten me repeatedly, including several dramatic fights that are hiding away off the main path or in side quests, so exploration can be very rewarding if you like to test yourself. When facing these enemies, I was especially thankful that there’s no need to trudge back to collect your resources on death if you just want to move on…
