Following its reveal at the May 2023 PlayStation Showcase, S-Game's "kungfupunk" action-RPG, Phantom Blade Zero, has launched to generally positive reception, with early reviews calling it an "incredibly well tuned" adventure featuring "brilliant weapon design." The game, which is not a Soulslike, has been hailed by some critics as potentially the best action game of 2026.
The review embargo lifted ahead of the game's October 28 launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Phantom Blade Zero currently holds a Metacritic score of 88, though this may fluctuate as more reviews are published. Reports suggest that a significant pre-release patch may have addressed some technical issues, such as occasional framerate problems and glitchy level geometry. Details regarding the game's narrative remain sparse due to developer-imposed review embargo restrictions on story content.
Reviewers have commended the game's combat system, which emphasizes parrying and dodging. The inclusion of 30 collectible and upgradable weapons, with two able to be equipped simultaneously, is noted for keeping the gameplay fresh and inventive. "Every weapon is wholly unique, like picking up a new character in a fighting game, each with its own moveset and abilities," wrote Wesley LeBlanc for Game Informer. IGN's Travis Northup described the difficulty curve as "exceptionally well tuned," noting that even on the hardest settings, major boss fights were manageable, fostering a sense of player empowerment.
The game's world is depicted as a setting where warriors are transformed into cyborgs enhanced with mystical Sha-Chi energy, exploring themes of power, honor, and treachery. While the story may not be revolutionary, critics like Polygon's Paulo Kawanishi found it to be a sincere narrative set against a fascinating and unique fictional backdrop, serving well as a foundation for the core gameplay.
Many reviews acknowledge the influence of games like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, particularly in the combat mechanics, which involve precise dodging of red attacks and parrying of blue attacks to create openings for offense. Eurogamer's Emma Kent stated that if players are not fond of this dodge/parry style, Phantom Blade Zero might not be for them.
GameSpot praised S-Game for understanding the fundamentals of character-action games, noting that Phantom Blade Zero's combat is tight, responsive, and stylish, evoking the feel of a Chinese martial arts film. Despite some issues that may prevent it from reaching the absolute peak of the genre, the game's highs are considered stratospheric.
Despite reaching the end of the game after 30-35 hours, Gamesradar's Luke Kemp found the experience rewarding enough to immediately dive back in and explore remaining content, even after encountering a seemingly abrupt and unsatisfying 'Bad Ending.'
Phantom Blade Zero is described as a strong entry in the action game genre that should not be overlooked. VGC noted that the game appears stronger than contemporaries like Black Myth: Wukong and praised its visual fidelity, calling it one of the best-looking Unreal Engine games. Game Informer hailed it as one of the best action games they have ever played, a remarkable debut for S-Game, which has clearly studied the genre's greats to create a title that looks to the future of action games while respecting its predecessors.