Phantom Blade Zero Preview: Wuxia Soulslike With a Twist

What if a Soulslike didn't punish you at every turn? After three hours with Phantom Blade Zero, I'm starting to think that's exactly the sweet spot this wuxia action-RPG is aiming for.

Set in a horror-tinged world, Phantom Blade Zero wears its wuxia influences proudly. Characters leap gracefully to rooftops, twist out of harm's way, and deliver jaw-dropping finishing moves. But here's the twist: on normal difficulty, the game is surprisingly forgiving. Parry windows are generous, your character Soul can take a few hits before needing to heal, and you can overwhelm average enemies with combos. That said, larger foes will still test your timing and patience. There are bonfire-esque bells for resting and fast-traveling, but Phantom Blade Zero isn't out to punish you unnecessarily.

Combat is scintillating, with a variety of weapons and fighting styles to unlock as you progress. Want to dual-wield daggers with agile aggression? Go for it. Prefer swinging a large blade with the poise and rhythm of a drunk fighting for the love of the game? That works too. You'll find your ideal method somewhere in between.

The early game takes you through open areas with impressive verticality. After a skirmish on a horse-drawn carriage, Soul journeys up a deep ravine, navigating winding, enemy-infested paths and occasionally encountering walls of red thread that block the way. That red thread is a constant theme, with an ethereal one guiding you to the next point of interest, often leading to a boss encounter. After running across walls, swinging on chains, and climbing ladders, you reach a village of friendly NPCs. The scale of the game hits home here, and it's as immersive as it is inviting. But contemplation is cut short by a trail of corpses leading to a boss arena.

Enter Phantom Edge, an additional weapon triggered with R2 that delivers a spectacular axe swing. I'd been using it to break barriers, but it truly shines in boss fights, capable of doing impressive damage to cocky opponents. After obliterating that boss, I started to grasp how Phantom Blade Zero's combat systems work together. There's still plenty of traversal ahead, including climbing a castle after overcoming keen-eyed archers and molten monsters, all while checking every corner for gear-enhancing items. Because what's an RPG without enhanceable weaponry?

My last 30 minutes were spent against Flame, the Mask-Bound Lion Dance Grandmaster. This enormous boss resembles Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree's Divine Beast Dancing Lion. As someone who prefers battling monsters over people, I felt right at home dodging and parrying before hitting back with combos. But as I dealt damage, the arena became more hazardous, with fire limiting my movement like Laurence, the First Vicar in Bloodborne: The Old Hunters. I eventually dispatched it—or so I thought. Flame has a second phase, and the vibe switches up: another humanoid strides onto the battlefield, faster and fighting more like a martial artist with a point to prove. I readied for round two, but my session ended. I did not win. Sadly.

Despite that, I'm delighted that Phantom Blade Zero is more interesting and engaging than I expected. The vertically-rich open areas are a joy to fight through, the wuxia-inspired combat is as gorgeous as it is fun, and the boss variety kept me excited throughout. It's no exaggeration to say Phantom Blade Zero is shaping up to be a big hit in 2026. Mark your calendars for October 29, 2026, when it launches on PC and PS5. Will you be picking this up?