Within hours of its release, Phantom Blade Zero has made a significant impact on digital storefronts, evidenced by its strong performance on Steam charts and high critical scores. The game launched on October 29 and has already garnered an average Metacritic score of 88, positioning it as the year's highest-rated action game.
Reviewers have largely praised Phantom Blade Zero's cinematic combat sequences, drawing comparisons to martial arts films. Polygon's own review highlighted the game's success in recreating the experience of a Wuxia movie through its detailed moves and animations. The development team at S-Game enlisted martial arts specialist Donnie Yen as a creative consultant to enhance the game's authenticity.
A recurring point of feedback, however, is that the combat may not always present a sufficient challenge for a soulslike title. This perceived lower difficulty could broaden its appeal, attracting players who prioritize RPG elements alongside action.
Player Engagement Soars on Steam
On its launch day, Phantom Blade Zero recorded 680,000 active players on Steam. This figure places it among the top performers of the year. The game has quickly ascended to the top of Steam's Popular New Releases and Top Sellers charts. Its concurrent player count has challenged established titles, even reaching second place behind Counter-Strike 2 at the time of reporting. This initial surge positions Phantom Blade Zero as the second most-played single-player game of the year on Steam, trailing only Palworld after its full launch.
Phantom Blade Zero is currently available digitally on Steam, the Epic Games Store, and PlayStation 5. A physical edition for the PlayStation 5 is slated for release in 2027.