Image: Push Square
The first batch of reviews have arrived for Phantom Blade Zero, the console-exclusive PS5 action game from developer S-GAME.
This is one of those titles that has always impressed whenever it’s shown up, with super-expressive animation, sharp combat, and imaginative boss encounters.
Fortunately, it looks like the game manages to clear the high bar it set for itself, as critics mostly agree this is a top tier action adventure.
It seems its fantastic boss battles, exhilarating combat, and rewarding exploration are the main positives. It’s reached a Metascore of 88 across dozens of reviews, putting it as one of the highest-rated PS5 releases of 2026.
Here are a few quotes from various outlets, including us:
Push Square – 9/10
“S-GAME has been building to Phantom Blade Zero for almost a decade, and its craft has spawned one of the PS5’s very best action games. An intense and fast-paced combat system is the star, with so much variety backing it and incredible enemies to test it. Fun exploration, beautiful visuals, and a unique style then help it reach the heights of the genre’s elite, as Phantom Blade Zero deserves to hang with the best of the best.”
“S-GAME has been building to Phantom Blade Zero for almost a decade, and its craft has spawned one of the PS5’s very best action games. An intense and fast-paced combat system is the star, with so much variety backing it and incredible enemies to test it. Fun exploration, beautiful visuals, and a unique style then help it reach the heights of the genre’s elite, as Phantom Blade Zero deserves to hang with the best of the best.”
GamesRadar – 4.5/5
“A rich and carefully designed world hides plenty of secret bosses and powerful weapons, with combat that effortlessly strikes down most of its peers. With fights that feel great and flow smoothly, Phantom Blade Zero proves itself as one of the best action-adventures of the year.”
“A rich and carefully designed world hides plenty of secret bosses and powerful weapons, with combat that effortlessly strikes down most of its peers. With fights that feel great and flow smoothly, Phantom Blade Zero proves itself as one of the best action-adventures of the year.”
IGN – 9/10
“Phantom Blade Zero is one of the best action games I’ve played in a long time, with standout combat that never came even close to feeling old across 50 hours of playing. It all takes place in a sharp, unique world that I adored spending time in despite the fact that just about everyone and everything in it wanted me dead. Its tale of betrayal and revenge mostly plays it extremely safe, and some unfortunate invisible barriers and technical hiccups can cause minor frustrations – but the overwhelming majority of my time with this stunning, incredibly well tuned adventure was downright awesome.”
“Phantom Blade Zero is one of the best action games I’ve played in a long time, with standout combat that never came even close to feeling old across 50 hours of playing. It all takes place in a sharp, unique world that I adored spending time in despite the fact that just about everyone and everything in it wanted me dead. Its tale of betrayal and revenge mostly plays it extremely safe, and some unfortunate invisible barriers and technical hiccups can cause minor frustrations – but the overwhelming majority of my time with this stunning, incredibly well tuned adventure was downright awesome.”
GameSpot – 8/10
“Under the right circumstances, Phantom Blade Zero’s combat is spectacular. Its Wuxia-inspired action nails the free-flowing, back-and-forth nature of its kinetic influences with aplomb. Being able to cleave through dozens of enemies who barely put up a fight isn’t a fatal flaw, but tedium, and the fact you know how thrilling combat can be makes it a more glaring issue. It’s this misstep that holds Phantom Blade Zero back, but it’s still a fantastic game that any action aficionado.”
“Under the right circumstances, Phantom Blade Zero’s combat is spectacular. Its Wuxia-inspired action nails the free-flowing, back-and-forth nature of its kinetic influences with aplomb. Being able to cleave through dozens of enemies who barely put up a fight isn’t a fatal flaw, but tedium, and the fact you know how thrilling combat can be makes it a more glaring issue. It’s this misstep that holds Phantom Blade Zero back, but it’s still a fantastic game that any action aficionado.”
VGC – 4/5
“The boat hasn’t been rocked and the genre hasn’t been overturned, but Phantom Blade Zero is a damn good action game that shouldn’t be ignored. This is undoubtedly stronger than genre stablemates like Black Myth: Wukong, and S-Game has also managed to craft one of the best looking Unreal Engine games. It could use a bit more polish, but Phantom Blade Zero has ensured that I will be eagerly paying attention to whatever S-Game makes next.”
“The boat hasn’t been rocked and the genre hasn’t been overturned, but Phantom Blade Zero is a damn good action game that shouldn’t be ignored. This is undoubtedly stronger than genre stablemates like Black Myth: Wukong, and S-Game has also managed to craft one of the best looking Unreal Engine games. It could use a bit more polish, but Phantom Blade Zero has ensured that I will be eagerly paying attention to whatever S-Game makes next.”
Eurogamer – 3/5
“This game is exceptional in so many areas – the animations, the beautiful environments – and when the combat works, the sense of flow is incredible. Street fights with multiple opponents feel so cinematic and so satisfying, allowing you to be truly creative and expressive with your fighting style. Then you walk into a boss battle and feel all that power fade, like you’re waiting your turn to get hits in with a wooden sword. This slows the pace of the early to mid game in particular, and I wish S-Game had been prepared to speed us through to the real meat of its gameplay a little faster. Combined with the other smaller issues and niggles – plus the pretty unremarkable narrative and lore dumps – it just takes the shine off what is otherwise a very impressive action title.”
“This game is exceptional in so many areas – the animations, the beautiful environments – and when the combat works, the sense of flow is incredible. Street fights with multiple opponents feel so cinematic and so satisfying, allowing you to be truly creative and expressive with your fighting style. Then you walk into a boss battle and feel all that power fade, like you’re waiting your turn to get hits in with a wooden sword. This slows the pace of the early to mid game in particular, and I wish S-Game had been prepared to speed us through to the real meat of its gameplay a little faster. Combined with the other smaller issues and niggles – plus the pretty unremarkable narrative and lore dumps – it just takes the shine off what is otherwise a very impressive action title.”
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