S-Game saw early review scores arrive for Phantom Blade Zero on October 26 as gaming outlets published their verdicts ahead of launch on October 28 [2]. The action RPG earned an 88 average score on Metacritic from 40 reviews, placing it among the higher-rated action releases of 2026 [1]. Reviewers singled out its responsive melee combat, 30 weapon choices, and martial arts boss fights as its main strengths [2].
Phantom Blade Zero Metacritic Rank
The 88 Metascore on Metacritic comes from 40 critic reviews submitted before launch, including six perfect scores. The score places the game in 27th place among 2026 releases tracked by the aggregator. Nearby titles on the 2026 leaderboard include Pokémon Pokopia, Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave, and Resident Evil Requiem, which each scored an aggregate rating of 89 [1].
The game also edged out several releases that scored an 87 on the aggregator, such as 007 First Light, Gears of War: E-Day, Saros, and Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve. Destructoid did not receive advance review code. Scott Duwe of Destructoid pointed out that the crowded 2026 calendar makes an 88 average stand out among major action games, writing that Phantom Blade Zero could easily enter conversations for game of the year. Duwe said high review scores make it a safe pick for fans wanting combat action and role-playing systems. Other outlets shared that view as reviews went live [1].
Blues News reported that reviews began arriving Monday while the game waited in its sheath for a Wednesday release [3]. Ethan Gach of Kotaku pointed out that Metacritic scores often move as late outlets file their reviews over coming days. Early tallies still look strong [2].
Thirty Collectible Weapon Options
Critics focused closely on the weapon system, which features 30 collectible and upgradable weapons. Players equip two weapons at a time and swap them during fast skirmishes. Writing for Game Informer, Wesley LeBlanc praised that variety and said that “Every weapon is wholly unique, like picking up a new character in a fighting game, each with its own moveset and abilities”. LeBlanc said swapping tools keeps combat fresh over long sessions [2].
Richard Wakeling of GameSpot said S-Game built combat around responsive controls that evoke Chinese martial arts films, noting that few action titles match this release for visual flair and kinetic movement. He added that the team created moves that seem impossible in third-person games yet work naturally within the controls. Kinetic movement gives melee encounters high energy [2].
S-Game took a big step forward after earlier work on mobile titles and smaller projects. LeBlanc said the developers studied the character-action genre closely, borrowing ideas from games like Devil May Cry, Elden Ring, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and Bayonetta. By pairing those influences with Wuxia traditions, S-Game created its own identity. The blend sets the game apart from typical releases [2].
Boss Battle Defense Timing
Boss fights serve as the main test for players, pairing quick duel speeds with tight timing windows. Emma Kent of Eurogamer compared the combat loop to a faster variant of Sekiro, saying players must dodge red attacks and parry blue attacks to break guard and trigger punishment phases. Kent said that learning these defensive skills is needed to beat tough enemies. Mistimed parries bring fast counterattacks. Those counter strikes can take down a player in seconds. Eurogamer noted that players who master timing windows can turn defensive parries into continuous attack momentum against even the most aggressive opponents [2].
Kent also wrote that S-Game placed bell checkpoints in game areas near multi-phase bosses that carry lethal one-shot strikes, giving players reliable respawn locations before major showdowns. While some reviewers felt phase checkpoints were lenient, Travis Northup of IGN wrote that the difficulty curve felt fair. Northup played on the hardest setting and beat most bosses in two or three tries. He cleared several on his first attempt [2].
Northup said learning boss moves made him feel capable rather than outmatched, especially when facing huge enemies whose broad attack swings felt manageable through quick dodges and parries. The tuning gives players freedom to test attacks without facing unfair penalties. Fights reward patient observation [2].
Campaign Length and Story
The story follows a protagonist named Soul who travels through a Wuxia world shaped by treachery and modified warriors. Paulo Kawanishi of Polygon said the setting features fighters turned into cyborgs through procedures that boost their fighting skill and control of a mystical energy called Sha-Chi. Kawanishi called the fiction sincere and interesting, giving the martial arts action a good background. He liked that good people still try to help others despite dark surroundings [2].
Northup of IGN said the revenge story plays it safe, though review embargo rules prevented critics from sharing story twists. Luke Kemp of Gamesradar reported spending 30 to 35 hours to finish the campaign and beat the final boss. Kemp said his run ended with an abrupt bad ending, but unexplored regions and side quests made him want to play more [2]. Exophase and Push Square also reported that the game includes 36 Trophies on PS5 with a Platinum Trophy.
A 35-hour campaign gives players a full solo adventure without padding. Readers following action releases on Sony systems can check out details on the Zero Parades PS5 port and story update. For Phantom Blade Zero, optional areas and side tasks add good replay appeal [2].
Phantom Blade Zero Visual Polish
The game runs on Unreal Engine, with critics praising lighting and martial arts animations. Dave Aubrey of VGC wrote that S-Game created one of the best looking Unreal Engine games to date, rating its visual presentation above genre stablemates like Black Myth: Wukong. Aubrey said it could use a bit more polish, but called the look a clear achievement. Detailed character models support the fast combat. Environments show strong visual craft. Ethan Gach of Kotaku agreed that character models and lighting work well together during high-speed motion [2].
Reviewers ran into small technical issues such as occasional framerate drops and glitchy level geometry during fast movement sequences. Kotaku reported that S-Game issued a major pre-release patch to smooth out bugs before public access begins. Day-one players may see fewer glitches as a result [2].
First announced at the May 2023 PlayStation Showcase, the game launches October 28 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Simultaneous release gives players on several platforms access to S-Game’s debut AAA project at once [2]. With an 88 Metascore, Phantom Blade Zero arrives with strong momentum [1].
- ONLINE NEWS Duwe, S. (2026, October 26). Phantom Blade Zero is the latest in a long line of excellent 2026 launches, reviews say. Destructoid. [Article Link]
- ONLINE NEWS Gach, E. (2026, October 26). Phantom Blade Zero Reviews Call Combat And Weapons Top Tier. Kotaku. [Article Link]
- ONLINE NEWS Blues News. (2026, October 26). Phantom Blade Zero Reviews. [Article Link]
