Reviewers highlight sleek combat in S-Game’s debut AAA title, despite mixed reactions to its narrative complexity.
S-Game released Phantom Blade Zero on October 29, 2026. The studio developed and published the title using Unreal Engine 5. This game serves as the debut console title for S-Game and marks its first entry into the AAA market.
The setting blends traditional Chinese fantasy with steampunk elements. Cyborg warriors inhabit this world and utilise a mystical energy known as Sha-Chi. Players face a steep learning curve within this environment.
the sleek, breathtaking moves in kung fu movies back in the 1990s
Liang stated the team aimed to capture the aesthetic of those films. This intent drives the visual design and movement systems within the game.
Combat mechanics and structure
Combat mixes normal and heavy attacks. Only heavy attacks cost stamina, which appears on Soul’s Sha-Chi bar. Parrying depletes the Sha-Chi bars of enemies.
Players must parry attacks that flash blue. They should perfect dodge attacks that flash red. Successful timing slows the action to allow for counterattacks.
S-Game insists the title is primarily an action RPG rather than a Soulslike. This classification stands despite the presence of a checkpoint system and similar aesthetics.
The game functions as a Metroidvania at heart. It is built around exploration, backtracking, keys, secret bosses and blocked paths. The map includes five main open areas plus a few smaller ones.
Weapons include a standard starting sword and a huge hammer. Other options feature a fire-spitting mask, bladed chains and a sword that makes the user drunk. Accessories and Phantom Edges replenish at checkpoint bells.
Boss fights commonly have two or sometimes three phases. S-Game allows players to restart a boss fight at the phase where they died. This feature reduces repetition during difficult encounters.
What we know
- Heavy attacks cost stamina shown on the Sha-Chi bar.
- Parrying depletes enemy Sha-Chi bars.
- Players can restart boss fights at the phase where they died.
Still unclear
- The exact nature of the performance issues cited by IGN.
Critical reception and scores
IGN scored Phantom Blade Zero 9/10. Reviewer Travis Northup said performance issues kept it from a 10/10.
Phantom Blade Zero is one of the best action games I’ve played in a long time, with standout combat that never came even close to feeling old across 50 hours of playing.
Eurogamer was the lone outlier at 6/10. Critic Emma Kent criticised the effect of boss fights on early pacing. She described the narrative as pretty unremarkable.
This game is exceptional in so many areas - the animations, the beautiful environments - and when the combat works, the sense of flow is incredible.
TheGamer’s Sam Woods gave the game top marks. This was his first such score in seven years. DualShockers reviewer Christian Bognar called it hands down the best action RPG this year. He praised the build variety, weapons and the world.
hands down the best action RPG this year
Review Score Comparison
High Scores
Praise for combat
Top marks
- TheGamer: Top marks
- DualShockers: Best action RPG
- IGN: 9/10
Outlier
Narrative criticism
6/10
- Eurogamer: Unremarkable narrative
- Criticism of early pacing
- Boss fight structure
Narrative and presentation
Polygon does not score reviews. Its reviewer Paulo Kawanishi praised the spectacle of the game. He noted it under-trusts players to perform the moves themselves.
There are few joys like watching a good Wuxia movie play out on screen — an experience that S-Game recreated in Phantom Blade Zero by making every attack and dodge look like the kung-fu films of old.
The protagonist Soul is a legendary swordmaster and former member of the Order. He has 66 days to find a way to survive before his artificial heart stops. The story throws terms such as the Order, Wilun, Sha-Chi and Maskwalkers at players early with little explanation.
Polygon linked this structure to other Chinese productions. The outlet found only one or two emotionally affecting story moments. It called Soul a two-dimensional character chasing revenge and redemption.
TheGamer said reviews have dispelled early concerns that the game prioritised style over substance. Some critics also worried about performance issues.
The specific nature of the performance issues cited by IGN remains unclear. The identity of a missing major outlier review mentioned by TheGamer is also unknown. Post-launch content plans and patch schedules are not stated in any source.
