Phantom Blade Zero isn’t even out yet, but it could be ‘one of the year’s breakout hits’ as it shifts half a million copies on Steam alone

Phantom Blade Zero has reportedly sold 500,000 copies through Steam pre-orders, earning an estimated $24 million before its release. The figures suggest strong early demand for the Chinese action game, with analyst Rhys Elliott saying its pre-launch performance could make it one of the year’s breakout single-player hits.

Elliott’s estimates also put the game at 2.5 million Steam wishlists, with China its biggest market. Among those who wishlisted it, 41 per cent have played Black Myth: Wukong, 38 per cent Elden Ring and 28 per cent Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Elliott said early signals also point to interest on PS5; the game is due to launch on PS5 and PC on 28 October.