Phantom Blade Zero, S-Game's wuxia action role-playing game, launches on Thursday, October 29 on PlayStation 5 and PC. Metacritic already shows 88, "generally favorable," from about 30 critics.
That headline number hides a wide spread. Individual scores on the same page run from 100 down to 60.
The Reviews So Far
Metacritic lists these PC scores, all dated October 25:
| Outlet | Score |
|---|---|
| Saudi Gamer | 100 |
| But Why Tho? | 100 |
| Combo Infinito | 95 |
| IGN | 90 |
| Gameliner | 90 |
| GAMES.CH | 85 |
| Eurogamer | 60 |
The page shows 31 critic reviews in its header, while its platform tabs show different counts for PS5 and PC, so we are saying "about 30." There are no user scores yet. A Persian-language report put the review embargo at October 26, and the scores will keep arriving.
We have not read every review, so we are not summarizing why Eurogamer's score sits so far below IGN's. Metacritic converts different scoring systems into a single number, and that conversion can make outlets look further apart than their text suggests. Read the review itself before drawing a conclusion.
What the Game Is
Per Wikipedia:
- Genre: third-person action role-playing, set in a fictional Phantom World loosely based on Ming-dynasty China. The developer calls the style "kungfupunk," mixing wuxia with steampunk, cyberpunk and horror.
- Combat: you play Soul, an assassin who carries two main and two secondary weapons. Blocking, parrying and dodging are the core defenses, and some enemy attacks can only be answered in specific ways.
- Structure: a semi-open world with a skill tree, weapon upgrades, four difficulty modes, eight endings and New Game Plus.
- Developer: S-Game, based in Beijing, built on Unreal Engine 5.
Reports put the main story at about 20 to 30 hours, according to MP1st.
Price, Platforms and the Delay
- Price: the Standard Edition is $59.99 and the Deluxe Edition is $69.99 in the US, per Insider Gaming and Altchar. Confirm on your store of choice.
- Platforms: PlayStation 5 and PC at launch. MP1st reports a 12-month console exclusivity window with Sony, so no Xbox version is expected within that time. Physical PS5 editions are planned for 2027, per Wikipedia.
- The delay: it was first set for September 9 and moved to October 29, with the studio citing a need for more polish. We covered the dates in our guide to the big games before Christmas.
What Is Still Unknown
- Whether the score holds. With about 30 reviews counted and the embargo only just lifting, the Metascore can still move.
- Player reaction. User scores and early patch notes will say more about the launch than the first-week critic average.
- Performance on PC. The scores we can see are listed as PC reviews, and we did not find technical details for either platform.
Editorial Take: An 88 is a strong result. The range matters more than the average here: a 100 and a 60 for the same game mean the design is divisive in a way a single score smooths over. If you like difficult, parry-focused action games, the high scores are speaking to you. If you do not, the low one is worth reading. Launch is three days away, so there is time to read both before you pay $60.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When does Phantom Blade Zero come out? October 29, 2026, on PlayStation 5 and PC.
What is the Phantom Blade Zero Metacritic score? 88 ("generally favorable") from about 30 critics as of October 26. It can change.
How much does Phantom Blade Zero cost? $59.99 for the Standard Edition and $69.99 for the Deluxe Edition in the US, per Insider Gaming and Altchar.
Is Phantom Blade Zero on Xbox? No Xbox version has been announced. MP1st reports a 12-month PS5 console exclusivity window.
How long is Phantom Blade Zero? Around 20 to 30 hours for the main story, per MP1st.
Who made Phantom Blade Zero? S-Game, a studio based in Beijing, using Unreal Engine 5.
Scores and details come from the sources linked above and can change. Tracking what arrives next across movies, TV, games, music and books at incoming.to.