S-Game's wuxia RPG, Phantom Blade Zero, has achieved a remarkable sales milestone, selling over 4 million copies worldwide within its first 72 hours of release. The game garnered positive reviews, achieving a Metacritic score of 88, and quickly ascended to the top of the Steam charts.
Released on October 29, Phantom Blade Zero is a title from Beijing-based studio S-Game that blends wuxia aesthetics with soulslike elements. While some players noted the combat was less challenging than anticipated, the game has been praised for its unique fighting sequences, impressive kung fu animations, and cinematic presentation. Polygon's review highlighted how the game captures the artistic essence of martial arts, emphasizing visual poetry in its fantastical battles.
Prior to its launch, Phantom Blade Zero had already shown strong player interest, with estimates suggesting over one million copies were sold pre-launch. The game's performance over the weekend was particularly noteworthy in the significant Chinese gaming market. Upon release, it reached 833,000 concurrent players, positioning it as the second most-played single-player game of the year on Steam, following only Palworld.
The strong opening weekend sales have propelled Phantom Blade Zero towards a potential top spot on the best-selling games list for 2026. Currently, the top contenders include NBA 2k27, Resident Evil: Requiem, and 007: First Light. Resident Evil: Requiem, for instance, has sold 8.5 million copies since its February 2026 release, a figure Phantom Blade Zero could surpass before the year's end based on its current trajectory.
Phantom Blade Zero was released digitally and is a timed console exclusive for the PlayStation 5. Further sales increases are anticipated with its eventual launch on Xbox and the release of a physical edition in 2027.
Game director for Phantom Blade Zero indicated in an interview that the game incorporates soulslike elements not to frustrate players with excessive difficulty, but rather to offer an accessible and enjoyable cinematic experience. The emphasis is on rewarding players with visually appealing combat animations for executing well-timed moves, contributing to its broad appeal across different player types.