After seeing how far Phantom Blade Zero has come, I’m convinced it could be the next big breakout for Chinese-developed action games.
I first got my hands on Phantom Blade Zero from S-Games back at Summer Game Fest 2024, and the game blew me away. Now, with years of additional development and more focus on the title than ever—especially after Black Myth: Wukong established Chinese-developed titles as a force to be reckoned with—I had the chance to see how the game is shaping up and how it compares with others in the genre. While it remains as difficult as ever, the structure and concept are becoming clearer, and I have to say I’m more excited than ever to see what Phantom Blade Zero delivers when it finally launches.
Before we go any further, it’s important to note that while Phantom Blade Zero may share some of the same DNA as a Soulslike, it is not trying to be the next Dark Souls. That’s exactly what makes it compelling. During a hands-on session at gamescom, the game felt much more like a brutally hard hack-and-slash in the style of Devil May Cry or Ninja Gaiden, wrapped in a uniquely Chinese aesthetic that blends traditional Wuxia martial arts with steampunk elements. The result is something that feels both familiar and refreshingly different in today’s gaming landscape.
I’ve met with the team at S-Games a few times now, and the excitement around the title is infectious. Since I first spent time with the game, Phantom Blade Zero has felt incredibly polished. Each new section the team reveals offers a broader glimpse at the overall structure the game aims to deliver at launch. This latest demo offers a more in-depth look at enemy variety, provides insight into the story, and offers a deeper understanding of the world at large.
In Phantom Blade Zero, you step into the role of Soul, an elite assassin serving the mysterious organization known as The Order. For the demo, I was thrust into a semi-open world that emphasizes tight, linear encounters over sprawling exploration—unlike what you might find in many titles from FromSoftware. This is a strong design choice that plays to the game’s biggest strength: its combat system and fluid movement. Every fight feels deliberate and choreographed, thanks to motion-captured performances from real martial artists that give each attack, block and animation a cinematic weight.
“Even if you’ve played many action games before, Phantom Blade Zero feels distinct, even though its core elements remain familiar.”
The combat strikes a balance between accessibility and depth that many action games struggle to achieve. Compared with the many Soulslike titles on the market, it delivers some of the most fluid action I’ve seen in years. Armed with dual swords, a katana, a longsword or a greatsword as primary weapons, and a bow as secondary equipment, players can chain together combos at breakneck speed. The fighting system emphasizes aggressive play over the methodical pacing of Soulslike games, encouraging players to slice through crowds of enemies with stylish combinations rather than carefully timing individual strikes.
Even if you’ve played many action games before, Phantom Blade Zero feels distinct, even though its core elements remain familiar. The game includes traditional blocking, parrying and dodging, but introduces Brutal Moves that drain the Sha-Chi resource when blocked, and Killer Moves that cannot be blocked or parried at all.
Successfully parrying a Brutal Move or dodging a Killer Move at the last second triggers a Ghostep—a repositioning manoeuvre that keeps combat flowing smoothly. It’s a compelling system that can feel challenging at first, but becomes highly rewarding once you move past the learning curve. It rewards thoughtful combat decisions and encourages players to improve their skills while experimenting with different weapons and combinations to deliver killing blows—without dying in the process.
The Sha-Chi system adds another layer of strategic depth without overwhelming complexity. This combat resource powers advanced combos and blocking actions, builds through successful attacks, and fuels special Power Surge abilities. These range from teleportation strikes to ghost-like evasions, allowing players to tailor their approach to suit their preferred play style.
Across the range of demos I’ve experienced—some hands-on, others hands-off—I’ve gained a clear sense of how Soul’s standard loadout compares with other titles. Primary weapons include customizable dual sabres and polearms, while secondary Phantom Edges feature tools like throwing knives, chain sickles and cursed talismans. You’ll quickly discover that certain weapons are better suited to specific challenges. Each weapon type channels Sha-Chi energy differently, and character progression allows players to master martial arts paths inspired by ancient schools such as Bagua Zhang, Xinyi and Wudang swordplay.
Running on PCs equipped with RTX 5090 graphics cards and DLSS 4, Phantom Blade Zero continues to impress with its Unreal Engine 5 presentation. Every visual element appears complex and richly detailed. The game’s dark, atmospheric environments blend traditional Chinese architecture with steampunk machinery corrupted by occult forces. It’s hard to say how it compares with the incredibly rich visuals of Black Myth: Wukong, but it comes very close—and does so in a style all its own. There’s real talent at work at S-Games, and it shows.
I’ve still only seen small portions of the full game, but from what I’ve experienced so far, I have to admit the level design effectively supports Phantom Blade Zero’s focus on combat encounters while still allowing for meaningful exploration. Areas like the opening town from the most recent demo feature interconnected regions with multiple paths, though some locations remain inaccessible until story progression unlocks them.
“As S-Games continues development toward the rumoured fall 2026 launch window, Phantom Blade Zero has positioned itself as one of the most promising action-RPGs on the horizon.”
This semi-open-world approach ensures that players always have clear objectives, while still offering the freedom to discover optional content and side quests that influence the game’s multiple endings. Of course, in just 20 minutes, I could only see so much—but I’m already eager to dive in at launch and gain a fuller understanding of how the world operates, how paths converge, and how progression evolves with time to explore.
I mentioned earlier that Phantom Blade Zero is not a Soulslike, but that’s not to say it isn’t challenging. This is a game that challenges players to learn its numerous systems, master its combat, and respond to on-screen cues to succeed. It’s very difficult, but it never feels unfair. Once you understand the mechanics and learn how to approach various challenges, the experience becomes incredibly rewarding. It’s a game that constantly encourages you to improve while guiding you through its complex narrative and world.
Throughout the gamescom demonstrations, Phantom Blade Zero consistently delivered the kind of smooth, responsive combat that made classic character action games so beloved. The rare moments of frustration—such as occasionally getting pinned in corners by enemy crowds—felt minor compared with the overall satisfaction of chaining together elaborate combinations.
With this latest demo, it feels like Phantom Blade Zero is inching closer to release—and I couldn’t be happier. As S-Games continues development toward the rumoured fall 2026 launch window, Phantom Blade Zero has positioned itself as one of the most promising action-RPGs on the horizon. The game’s unique blend of Chinese martial arts authenticity, steampunk aesthetics and classic hack-and-slash gameplay creates something that feels both nostalgic and forward-looking. This is a world rich with lore, layered in complexity and brimming with content—and I can’t wait to experience more of what the game has to offer.
