Phantom Blade Zero has made a significant impact following its strong reviews and high player numbers on Steam. The Wuxia action game from developer S-Game is now seen as a major contender, potentially impacting Crimson Desert's chances for a Game of the Year (GOTY) award in 2026.
This emergence is part of a trend of ambitious, Unreal Engine 5-powered AAA games from China, with Black Myth: Wukong being a prominent example from 2024. While Black Myth: Wukong received a GOTY nomination despite mixed reviews, Phantom Blade Zero boasts higher aggregate scores, with ratings of 88 and 89 on Metacritic and OpenCritic respectively. This critical reception, combined with strong player engagement and a lack of the controversies that surrounded Black Myth: Wukong, positions Phantom Blade Zero favorably.
However, Phantom Blade Zero faces direct competition from Pearl Abyss's Crimson Desert. While Crimson Desert launched with considerable hype and a vast amount of content, its critical reception was more moderate, with a Metacritic rating of 77. Despite this, the game maintained relevance through an aggressive update schedule. The author categorizes both games as "outsider AAA" titles, productions from outside traditional major publisher systems that aim to compete directly with established players.
The article argues that Phantom Blade Zero's more focused design and stronger critical standing effectively diminish Crimson Desert's GOTY prospects. Both games appeal to a similar audience and jury members, but Phantom Blade Zero's superior reviews and more polished presentation give it an edge. The jury's decision may be influenced by a preference for games with stronger critical backing, making Crimson Desert's nomination less likely.
While both games could theoretically receive nominations, the crowded field of contenders, including titles like Control Resonant and 007 First Light, makes it improbable for both to advance. Phantom Blade Zero is presented as having the clearest path to recognition. The piece concludes that recognizing new international development scenes through games like Phantom Blade Zero is beneficial for the broader gaming landscape.