Round Up: Phantom Blade Zero PS5 Reviews Are In, and It’s Another Game of the Year Contender
Developing story first seen 2 hours ago
The first reviews of S-GAME’s PS5 action game Phantom Blade Zero are in, with critics broadly praising it as a standout action adventure. Its 88 Metascore makes it one of the highest-rated PS5 releases of 2026 so far and puts it in the year’s game of the year conversation.
Reviewers single out the fast, varied combat, boss battles, exploration, expressive animation and striking world. Some note a predictable revenge story, technical hiccups and uneven pacing, including easy regular enemies and slower boss encounters, but the overall response remains strongly positive.
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In short
- Phantom Blade Zero has an 88 Metascore.
- Critics praise its combat, bosses and exploration.
- Reviews flag uneven pacing and minor technical issues.
How this story developed
- 59 minutes ago Reviews for Phantom Blade Zero, S-GAME’s PS5 action game, are largely positive, with critics praising its combat, boss battles and exploration.
- 1 hour ago The first reviews of S-GAME’s PS5 action game Phantom Blade Zero are in, with critics broadly praising it as a standout action adventure.
Full account
The first reviews of S-GAME’s Phantom Blade Zero describe a stylish, fast-paced action adventure that largely meets the high expectations set by its earlier showings. The PS5 version has an 88 Metascore, placing it among the better-reviewed releases of 2026 so far. Critics point to its fluid combat, elaborate boss fights and rewarding exploration as central strengths.
Several reviews praise the range and feel of the fighting, as well as the game’s striking visuals and distinctive world. One reviewer said the combat remained engaging over a 50-hour playthrough, while another highlighted the discovery of hidden bosses and powerful weapons. The Wuxia-inspired action is also seen as a possible introduction to the genre for players unfamiliar with it.
The praise comes with qualifications. Some critics found ordinary encounters less demanding than the standout battles, making stretches of combat feel repetitive. Others noted that the revenge story is familiar, and reported invisible barriers, technical issues or a need for more polish. These drawbacks were generally presented as limited against the strength of the overall experience.
Taken together, the reports frame Phantom Blade Zero as a strong contender in a crowded year for games, though not as a genre-redefining release. One outlet compared it favourably with other action games, while another stressed its place in the wider 2026 review rankings. The second report also noted that its outlet had not received a review copy, so it offered no first-hand assessment of the game.
Where outlets differ
From the full account, which is AI-written from the sources:
Source 1 focuses on hands-on critical impressions, especially combat, bosses, exploration and shortcomings; Source 2 centres on Metacritic scores, the game’s position among 2026 releases and its potential place in Game of the Year discussions.
The sources report slightly different review totals: Source 1 refers to dozens of reviews, while Source 2 cites 40 reviews in one passage and 57 in another. It gives the PS5 score as 88 and a PC score of 89.
Source 1 includes a range of review opinions, including concerns about weak standard encounters and technical rough edges. Source 2 is more broadly upbeat and highlights the game’s potential appeal as an entry point to Wuxia.
Explained simply
Phantom Blade Zero is an action adventure from S-GAME, a Chinese game studio, made for PlayStation 5. Players control a swordsman in a martial arts-inspired world, fighting enemies and exploring different areas.
The game’s combat centres on sword fights, varied moves and battles against powerful bosses. Its story follows familiar revenge themes, while the world’s visual style and character animation help set the scene.
Reviews help players judge a game before buying it, though individual tastes differ. Strong critical reception can bring a game into discussion of the year’s best, alongside other releases.
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