Phantom Blade Zero Hands-on Preview

July 20, 2026 - 09:18

We spent an hour with Phantom Blade Zero at Summer Game Fest, and the experience has only made the wait for its October release harder. The demo offered a focused slice of the game's combat, world, and visual style, and it left a strong impression.

The first thing that stands out is the pace. This is not a slow, methodical soulslike. Combat is fast and fluid, with a strong emphasis on aggressive combos and quick dodges. The main character wields a blade and a gun, and switching between them mid-combo feels natural. You can parry, deflect, and unleash special skills that have a satisfying weight to them. The demo's boss fights were challenging but fair, demanding that you learn attack patterns without feeling unfair.

Visually, the game has a distinct identity. It blends dark fantasy with a wuxia-inspired aesthetic. The environments we saw ranged from a rainy, neon-lit city to a more traditional, ruined temple. The art direction is strong, and the game ran smoothly on the demo hardware.

The story remains somewhat mysterious, but the hour we played hinted at a world of assassins, conspiracies, and a protagonist on a ticking clock. The dialogue was minimal in the demo, but the tone was serious and cinematic.

If this hour is any indication, Phantom Blade Zero is shaping up to be a standout action game. The combat is responsive, the world is intriguing, and the pacing is relentless. October cannot come soon enough.