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TechRadar
Jake Green

Phantom Blade Zero - everything we know so far

A character in heavy armor bows toward the left of the frame.
When can we play Phantom Blade Zero?
(Image credit: Cruelman Studio)

There's a demo for Phantom Blade Zero on the way. So far, we only know that it'll release sometime in 2024, but that'll be our first chance to get our hands on it. Stay tuned for further updates, as we narrow down exactly when the demo will launch.

Phantom Blade Zero was revealed as part of a Sony PlayStation Showcase event, and quickly became one of the hottest games to watch, after it showed off some seriously impressive action.

From what's been shown off so far, Phantom Blade Zero is an upcoming game that's absolutely worth keeping an eye on. It features a bleak, dark aesthetic, paired with hyper-fast hack-and-slash action. It's reminiscent of games like Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, Sekiro, and Nioh. It does offer a slightly different take on this genre, however, with a much closer camera and a more cinematic art style. We've even played it. Read our Phantom Blade Zero preview to hear our thoughts.

Here's what we know about Phantom Blade Zero so far, including a look at the gameplay, latest trailers, and story/setting. As the year rolls on, it's likely that we'll hear more about Phantom Blade Zero. Once more info is revealed, you'll find it here.

Phantom Blade Zero - cut to the chase

  •  What is it? A hack and slash RPG with a unique art-style
  •  When can I play it? TBC
  •  What can I play it on? PS5, PC
  •  Who makes it? S-Game

Phantom Blade Zero trailer

There's only been three trailers for Phantom Blade Zero released so far. It debuted during PlayStation Showcase 2023, and for many fans, it really stole the show. You can check out the trailer below, which shows off some of the awesome-looking action on offer.

In addition, there was a new anime trailer released over Chinese New Year. This doesn't include any gameplay, but does set the scene for the revenge-filled story to come. Watch it below:

The latest trailer for Phantom Blade Zero was revealed during Summer Games Fest Opening Night. This gave us a better look at gameplay. You can check this trailer out below:

We'll be updating this article with new Phantom Blade Zero trailers when they're released. In the meantime, the best place to check for more on the game is the official PlayStation YouTube channel.

Phantom Blade Zero gameplay

(Image credit: S-Game)

So far, we've only seen brief slices of in-game action for Phantom Blade Zero. It's found in the initial announcement trailer but does not feature a HUD, and is far from being the final version that players will get their hands on at launch. Still, what we've seen is promising at present, with Phantom Blade Zero offering a faster, more visceral version of the combat found in games like Ghost of Tsushima and Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty.

It looks as though the bulk of the gameplay in Phantom Blade Zero will consist of fast-paced melee battles, as well as boss fights with more varied enemies. In the trailer released so far, some of the bosses appear to have long-ranged weapons, trick weapons, and even the ability to destroy environments. It's clear that Phantom Blade Zero is aiming for a more cinematic style than that of the games it's already being compared to. Because of this, expect semi-open world exploration, in-game cinematics that transition into fights, as well as an eccentric cast of characters.

Phantom Blade Zero story and setting

(Image credit: S-Game)

In Phantom Blade Zero, you play as Soul, an elite assassin serving an elusive but powerful organization known simply as “The Order”. After being gravely injured, he is brought back to health by a mysterious healer. In effect, this is a curse that only lasts for 66 days, meaning he has a limited time to seek revenge on his enemies.

In terms of the setting, we know that it will offer up a semi-open-world for players to explore. The Universe the game is set in is called Phantom World, which is also the setting for other games from the developer. At present, the finer details of Phantom Blade Zero's story have yet to be revealed. Once we hear more about Zero and his quest for vengeance, we'll update this section.

Phantom Blade Zero FAQ

Will Phantom Blade Zero be on PS4?

Phantom Blade Zero will not be on PS4 when it launches. Currently, only PS5 and PC have been confirmed, so it's clear that the team is sticking to current-gen only.

What engine is Phantom Blade Zero being developed in?

Phantom Blade Zero is being developed in Unreal Engine 5. This is evident from just how jaw-dropping the visuals are, and how smooth the action looks to be. Unreal Engine 5 development is still pretty new, so we've got plenty to look forward to over the next few years, with Phantom Blade Zero being a promising example of how it can improve the way games look and feel.

Phantom Blade Zero latest news

Phantom Blade Zero to get a demo in 2024
As per Gematsu, Phantom Blade Zero will receive a 30-minute demo at some point in 2024. This was announced during the ChinaJoy 2023 stage presentation on July 30, 2023.

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