There’s a particular kind of action game that makes you want to pick up a controller before you’ve even finished watching the trailer. Phantom Blade Zero has been doing exactly that, and with its release just around the corner, players won’t have to wait much longer to find out whether S-Game can turn those spectacular combat sequences into a genuinely great game.
The upcoming action game blends traditional Chinese martial arts with dark fantasy, mechanical weapons and cinematic sword fights that wouldn’t look out of place in a kung fu film. It also promises a substantial arsenal, challenging bosses and a mysterious story centred on a warrior who has very little time left to live.
The good news is that Phantom Blade Zero is available to pre-order on Steam and the PlayStation Store ahead of its October 2026 release.
When is Phantom Blade Zero coming out?
Phantom Blade Zero is scheduled to launch on October 29, 2026, for PlayStation 5, with its PC release available through Steam and the Epic Games Store.
There is a small difference in how the launch date appears across storefronts. While PlayStation lists October 29, Steam lists October 28, 2026, reflecting the release timing for its listed region. Check your local storefront for the applicable launch date and unlock time.
You can find the game on these official storefronts:
- Pre-order Phantom Blade Zero on Steam for PC.
- Pre-order Phantom Blade Zero on the PlayStation Store for PS5.
- Visit the official Phantom Blade Zero website for updates from developer S-Game.
The game is designed as a single-player experience, so you can focus on its story, exploration and combat without needing to coordinate with other players. There is no confirmed Xbox version in the announced launch plans.
How much does Phantom Blade Zero cost?
If you’re ready to pre-order Phantom Blade Zero, there are two main editions to consider. The Standard Edition costs $59.99, while the Digital Deluxe Edition costs $69.99 in the US. Prices may differ by region, so check your local storefront before purchasing.
The Standard Edition includes the full game, making it the straightforward choice for players who want to experience Soul’s journey without paying extra for digital bonuses.
The Digital Deluxe Edition includes the full game alongside the Wulin Legend and Blood-Steel Form appearances, a digital artbook and a digital soundtrack. For players who enjoy collecting additional cosmetics and behind-the-scenes material, the extra $10 may be worth considering.
Both editions are available to pre-order through the official Steam listing and the PlayStation Store.
What are the Phantom Blade Zero pre-order bonuses?
Pre-ordering Phantom Blade Zero unlocks two bonus items: the Treasure Basin accessory and the Legacy outfit.
Treasure Basin increases Remnant Dust drops by 10%, while Legacy gives Soul an additional outfit. Both offer something extra to take into the game, although there is an important detail worth knowing before you spend your money.
According to the official store information, these items can also be obtained through normal in-game progression. In other words, the pre-order bonuses provide early access rather than permanently locking the items behind a purchase made before launch.
If you're primarily interested in the gameplay, you don't necessarily need to pre-order just to obtain these items. The Digital Deluxe Edition's additional value comes from its extra appearances, digital artbook and soundtrack.
Emmanuel Umahi
What is Phantom Blade Zero about?
At the centre of Phantom Blade Zero is Soul, a skilled warrior caught in a conspiracy that threatens the martial world known as the Wulin.
After being framed for murdering his master, Soul suffers a devastating wound to his heart and learns that he has only 66 days left to live. With assassins hunting him and powerful enemies standing in his way, he must uncover the truth behind the events that have destroyed his life.
It is a straightforward enough premise, but the setting gives it room to become something more interesting. The Wulin is filled with rival factions, secretive organisations, strange creatures and people whose loyalties are not always what they appear to be.
The game draws heavily from wuxia, a Chinese storytelling tradition centred on martial artists, honour, rivalries, and extraordinary feats of combat. S-Game combines those influences with mechanical prosthetics, industrial ruins, and a darker fantasy aesthetic it calls kungfupunk.
Rather than simply recreating a traditional martial arts setting, Phantom Blade Zero puts old-school kung fu alongside weapons and environments that feel distinctly unconventional.
Phantom Blade Zero gameplay: Weapons, combos and brutal boss fights
Combat is where Phantom Blade Zero has made some of its strongest impressions so far.
The game features more than 30 primary weapons and over 20 Phantom Edges, which are secondary weapons with specialised abilities that can change how you approach a fight. These include options for close-range attacks, ranged combat, and other tactical approaches.
Weapons are not merely cosmetic variations of the same sword. Each has its own moveset, and upgrading your equipment unlocks further abilities. Accessories and other equipment choices give you additional ways to shape your fighting style.
That variety matters because the game is built around learning how to use your weapons rather than repeatedly pressing the attack button. You can dodge, deflect, counter, and chain attacks together, with the right combination of inputs turning an ordinary encounter into a choreographed flurry of strikes.
The boss fights are another major part of the experience. Expect powerful martial artists, monstrous enemies and spectacular encounters designed around timing, positioning, and learning your opponent's attack patterns.
S-Game has also confirmed multiple difficulty options. Wayfarer mode offers a more accessible route through the story, while Hellwalker provides a greater challenge. Sixty-Six Days mode is aimed at players who want an especially demanding experience.
This should give players some flexibility over how they approach the game, whether they want to concentrate on the story or test their skills against its toughest enemies.
For a closer look at the combat systems, weapons, and world, check out the Phantom Blade Zero gameplay deep dive on the PlayStation Blog.
Donnie Yen's involvement in Phantom Blade Zero
One of the more interesting names attached to Phantom Blade Zero is Donnie Yen, the martial arts star known for films such as Ip Man.
Yen serves as a creative consultant on the game and portrays Mó Yuan, the leader of the Bastion of Mó, through facial and motion capture. His involvement extends beyond lending his likeness to a character: he has also contributed to the game's kung fu style and action design.
That collaboration is particularly relevant to a game that places so much emphasis on the physicality of its fights. The aim is to make each stance, strike, and counter feel grounded in martial arts, even when the action escalates into encounters with fantastical enemies.
You can read more about the game's pre-orders and additional details through S-Game's official website.
Phantom Blade Zero PC requirements: Can your PC run it?
If you plan to play Phantom Blade Zero on PC, it is worth checking your hardware before purchasing. The game's Steam listing specifies the minimum and recommended requirements, giving players a starting point for deciding whether their systems are up to the task.
For the minimum configuration, you'll need a 64-bit version of Windows 10 or Windows 11, an Intel Core i7-8700K or AMD Ryzen 5 3600 processor, 16GB of RAM, and either an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 with 6GB of VRAM or an AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT with 8GB of VRAM. DirectX 12 and an SSD are also required. This configuration targets 1080p gaming at 30 frames per second with upscaling.
If you're aiming for a smoother experience at a higher resolution, the recommended configuration calls for an Intel Core i5-10600K or AMD Ryzen 5 5600X processor, 16GB of RAM and either an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti with 8GB of VRAM or an AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT with 12GB of VRAM. The stated target is 1440p at 60 frames per second with upscaling.
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