Phantom Blade Zero reviews land as one of 2026's best-rated games

Phantom Blade Zero's reviews are in, and they are strong. According to Polygon, the Wuxia-inspired action game from S-GAME now sits in pole position as one of Metacritic's best-rated games of 2026. If you like fast, stylish sword combat, this is one to watch this week.

What reviewers are saying

The praise is consistent across outlets. IGN sums the game up in its review summary as having "memorable boss fights, compelling combat, and limitless swagger."

Push Square reviewed the PS5 version and headlined its piece "One of the Generation's Greatest Action Experiences." Its reviewer says up front that they are not a Soulslike fan, yet describes a punchy, stylish and deep combat system at the center of an adventure full of action and flair. They also single out the game feel, saying it lends every move an extreme degree of satisfaction. Push Square calls it the western debut from S-GAME.

Eurogamer leans on atmosphere. Its reviewer writes that some moments made them feel as though they had fallen through a crack in time onto the set of a kung fu film. They describe one encounter in a shaded valley: parrying a blow, performing a slow-motion somersault to land behind an enemy, then kicking the next attacker in the face.

Polygon is also positive, with a caveat built into its headline: "the perfect martial arts game, for better or worse." Its review says the game prioritizes the visual spectacle it borrows from Wuxia movies, and that this approach produces a great action game. The excerpt we have doesn't spell out what the "worse" part is, so check the full review if that matters to you.

What the game is

Phantom Blade Zero is made by S-GAME Studio and published by S-GAME Publishing. Its Steam listing describes it as a fusion of classic Wuxia storytelling and action, built on Unreal Engine 5.

You play as Soul, a warrior with only sixty-six days left to live. The story has you fending off assassins and unraveling world-ending conspiracies. The Steam page lists it under the Action and RPG genres.

Release date and platforms

Steam lists Phantom Blade Zero for October 28, 2026 on PC. Gematsu includes it in its list of this week's Japanese game releases, for PlayStation 5 and PC.

Some points to keep in mind before buying:

• The reviews cited here focus on the game's combat, boss fights and presentation. Push Square's reviewer says they are not a Soulslike fan, and Polygon flags a trade-off in its title.
• Metacritic standings can shift as more reviews arrive, so the "best-rated of 2026" position is a snapshot from Polygon's roundup.
• Check your platform's store page for pricing and the PS5 release date, which the coverage here doesn't confirm.

With four outlets landing on largely positive verdicts, Phantom Blade Zero looks promising for anyone who wants a combat-first action game this week.