Hour-long gameplay videos of Phantom Blade Zero have surfaced online, giving fans the clearest look yet at what’s to come. Developed by Chinese studio S-Game, Phantom Blade Zero is an upcoming wuxia ARPG built in Unreal Engine 5, with a fast-paced, over-the-top combat system that has already attracted the industry’s attention. PBZ is set to release on PlayStation 5 and PC, with an official release date expected in 2025, and a likely launch window of 2026.
Originally announced in the 2023 PlayStation State of Play, Phantom Blade Zero has been described as a “wuxia action game,” merging inspirations from multiple genres to form something unique. S-Game has shared snippets of Phantom Blade Zero’s gameplay in the past, including a full boss fight earlier this year, but none have been quite as much of a deep dive as what’s circulating now.
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Posts 1Multiple YouTube channels, including GamersPrey, have uploaded 50 to 60-minute Phantom Blade Zero demo gameplay recordings online, showcasing the game’s combat systems, level design, and enemy variety. These videos are from S-Party, a two-day event held by S-Game in Beijing on July 26-27, where invited players and creators were allowed to capture and upload their playthroughs of a demo build.
60-Minute Phantom Blade Zero Demo Gameplay Video
According to event-goers, the demo version of the game featured three difficulty settings: Breaker, Initiate, and Defier, contrary to earlier leaks suggesting there would be four difficulty options in Phantom Blade Zero. It's unclear whether the leaked information was inaccurate or if the full game will include the missing option, but those who played on the hardest available setting described the experience as incredibly challenging, with some even having trouble reaching the first boss.
CloseCreator of PBZ and S-Game CEO, Soulframe Liang, has been famously adamant that Phantom Blade Zero is neither a Soulslike nor a traditional action game, but in a genre of its own. The latest footage seems to support his claim. Players who have had a chance to play the title have described it as a blend of Devil May Cry, Sekiro, and Ninja Gaiden, with some Soulslike mechanics like bonfires and Estus Flasks mixed in.
Many are wondering if Phantom Blade Zero can replicate Black Myth: Wukong’s success, as the hype surrounding S-Game’s genre-blending game is just as high, if not higher. More gameplay for PBZ should be coming along soon, as the game is set to appear at China Joy 2025, an event that is scheduled for August 1-4. Global fans will also get a chance to get hands-on with PBZ soon, as its demo is coming to Gamescom 2025, running from August 20-24.
