Phantom Blade Zero launched on 29 October 2026 to a strong critical reception: 88 on Metacritic (from 40 critics, with six perfect scores) and 91 on OpenCritic, where roughly 96–100% of critics recommend it. S-GAME’s “kungfupunk” action RPG is out on PC and PS5 / PS5 Pro (Steam and Epic, $59.99) — and notably not on Xbox. Critics praise its combat and bosses; the main criticisms are linear level design and a thin story.
Here is the Phantom Blade Zero review roundup: the scores, what reviewers loved and criticised, the platforms, price and playtime, and whether it’s worth buying at launch. All figures are as of its 29 October 2026 release.
The review scores
How Phantom Blade Zero landed across the aggregators and key facts at a glance.
| Metric | Result |
|---|---|
| Metacritic | 88 (PC and PS5, 40 critics) |
| Perfect (100) scores | Six |
| OpenCritic | 91 Top Critic Average |
| Critics recommend | ~96–100% |
| Review embargo lifted | 26 October 2026 |
| Release date | 29 October 2026 |
| Platforms | PC (Steam, Epic), PS5, PS5 Pro |
| Price | $59.99 |
| Main story length | ~20–25 hours |
| Full 100% run | ~50–55 hours |
| Developer / genre | S-GAME / “kungfupunk” action RPG |
What critics say
The consensus is clear and consistent across outlets: Phantom Blade Zero is carried by its combat and bosses. Reviewers repeatedly highlight the depth and feel of the fighting system — a fast, aggressive, parry-driven style built around the Sha-Chi energy gauge and color-coded fatal and brutal blows — and the quality of the boss encounters, which are the clear high point. The “kungfupunk” art direction and animation also draw praise.
The criticisms are just as consistent. The most common knock is linear level design — the areas between fights are a step down from the combat they connect — and a story that several reviewers found underwhelming. None of it sinks the game: the critical mass of positive and perfect scores reflects a title that does its core loop extremely well, even if the surrounding structure is less ambitious. Treat it as a combat-first action RPG and the reviews line up behind it.
Platforms, price & length
Phantom Blade Zero is a PC and PlayStation release: it’s on Steam and the Epic Games Store on PC, and on PS5 and PS5 Pro, at $59.99. There is no Xbox version, which is worth knowing before you go looking for it on Game Pass or the Microsoft Store. On length, the developers estimate a full playthrough of about 25–30 hours for a skilled player; more granular breakdowns put the main story at roughly 20–25 hours, main story plus side content at 35–40 hours, and a complete 100% run at 50–55 hours. As a souls-adjacent game, your real time depends heavily on how long individual bosses hold you up.
More Phantom Blade Zero on EverythingEdinburgh: our beginner’s guide, best weapons tier list and difficulty modes explained.
Is it worth it?
For fans of character-action and soulslike combat, yes — comfortably. An 88 Metacritic with six perfect scores and near-universal critic recommendation is a strong signal, and the praise is concentrated exactly where it counts for this genre: the fighting and the bosses. The caveats are real but narrow. If you mainly want an open, exploration-led world or a story-driven RPG, the linear levels and lighter narrative may frustrate. If you want one of 2026’s best pure combat experiences at a $59.99 price, Phantom Blade Zero delivers. The lack of an Xbox version is the only hard dealbreaker, and only if PlayStation and PC aren’t options for you.
Phantom Blade Zero review FAQ
Scores and facts are as of the 29 October 2026 launch, drawn from Metacritic, OpenCritic and launch coverage (Destructoid, PushSquare, review roundups). Aggregate scores shift as more reviews land — check the live pages for the latest.
