After generating a ton of buzz during its initial reveal back at the May 2023 PlayStation Showcase, Phantom Blade Zero is finally here. How does S-Game’s debut AAA “kungfupunk” action-RPG stack up to the years of hype? Pretty well, according to early reviews. Another non-Soulslike arcade action game has entered the arena, and some are already calling it the best action game of 2026.
The review embargo lifted last night ahead of the game’s October 28 launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Phantom Blade Zero currently sits at an 88 on Metacritic, though that number could tick up or down in the coming days as more reviews go live. It also sounds like a number of the issues some critics did run into, including glitchy level geometry and occasional framerate problems, may have been improved during a major pre-release patch. Reviewers have also remained tight-lipped on what the game’s story is really about due to the developer’s review embargo restrictions.
” Others considered the game overly lenient in places, including boss battles with multiple phase checkpoints. You will spend a lot of your time parrying and dodging in this game, but an arsenal of 30 collectible and upgradable weapons, two of which can be equipped at all times, apparently keeps the combat feel fresh, inventive, and satisfying. “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 .
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