Phantom Blade Zero review: S-Game makes its debut in style with one of the year's best action games

Phantom Blade Zero is a recent release that has quickly earned praise as one of the year's best action games. This wuxia and martial arts-inspired role-playing game (RPG) made its debut on the PS5 platform and is also available on Xbox Series X|S and PC. The game was released on October 29, 2026.

At first glance, Phantom Blade Zero may seem like a middle-of-the-road release, but it quickly becomes clear that S-Game has delivered a thrilling action experience. The game opens with a stunning display of bombastic battles, dramatic visuals, and gorgeous cinematics that introduce the wandering warrior Soul and the reasons behind his battle-filled journey across the corrupted land of Wulin.

The developers have clearly put a lot of effort into making combat spot-on, with detailed weapon designs, satisfying sound effects, and outstanding animations. When a new weapon or secondary Phantom Art is introduced, players are often dazzled by the string of attacks and finishing-move flourishes. While not all of them may be perfect for every playstyle, the better options stand out and provide tough choices when deciding which two to upgrade and wield.

While the game contains a variety of fodder enemies that are relatively easy to defeat, it also offers a lineup of tough and inventive boss encounters that truly test players' skills and weapon choices. The combat system is forgiving, thanks to the option to hold block to deflect most attacks. This drains a resource called sha-chi, which also powers certain skills and abilities.

However, sha-chi can be refilled by quickly switching weapons, keeping players in the fight longer. Players can also attempt to parry attacks with perfect timing, leaving opponents open to counterattacks while recharging their sha-chi.

The developers have also gone to great lengths to make each piece of equipment unique, resulting in an arsenal of acrobatic, impactful, and continuously satisfying gear. The game is generous with resources, allowing players to try out various weapons to find their favorites. Combat moves are very readable, and blocking most attacks gives players time to study opponents' moves, find attack windows, and survive any small slip-ups.

While Phantom Blade Zero is challenging, the difficulty curve is less punishing than some Souls-like games, preventing players from being repeatedly punished for imperfect play.

The narrative in Phantom Blade Zero is delivered in bits and pieces, mainly through flashbacks, Soul's memories, and memory flowers found in the world. Although this can make it harder to follow the story at times, it also creates fascinating moments of discovery and engaging side stories. The game's use of proper nouns can be exhausting to keep track of, but the overall atmosphere and aura are captivating, making any niggles fade away when players return to the core action.