After 3 hours, Phantom Blade Zero is a wuxia-flavored, rewarding action-RPG with a fresh Soulslike twist
AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication
Phantom Blade Zero, developed by In‑house and published by S‑Game, launched on PC and PS5 on October 29, 2026. The action‑RPG blends wuxia aesthetics with a “Soulslike” framework, offering generous parry windows, a forgiving health system, and fast‑travel bells that temper the genre’s typical punishment. Players control Soul, navigating vertical, open environments—ranging from ravine pathways to a village and a castle—while confronting enemies with a diverse arsenal, including the Phantom Edge axe. Combat emphasizes timing and style, allowing dual‑wield daggers or heavy blades, and rewards precise dodges and parries. The demo’s three‑hour run culminates in a multi‑phase boss fight against Flame, a lion‑masked giant that shifts from brute force to martial‑arts agility, showcasing the game’s layered difficulty and traversal mechanics.
💡 Why It Matters
- · By softening traditional Soulslike harshness while retaining deep combat depth, Phantom Blade Zero may broaden the genre’s appeal to players seeking challenge without relentless frustration.
