Phantom Blade Zero Could Be One of 2026’s Biggest Action Games, but Physical Copies Are Missing at Launch

Grand Theft Auto 6 is hogging most of the attention over major game releases in the rest of 2026, but Phantom Blade Zero is another one to watch out for. Phantom Blade Zero is launching on PC at the same time as the PlayStation 5 version, unlike Rockstar's upcoming game, which will not be available on PC at launch.

The game will be launching on October 29, meaning you have another big release to get excited for this year. It has fast-paced combat, a cinematic presentation, and a promising amount of content that could attract plenty of players. Its blend of martial arts and stylish action also gives it a distinct identity among upcoming releases.

If you’re planning on buying the game on PC too, then there’s exciting news: a few retailers are already offering discounts.

Green Man Gaming is offering Phantom Blade Zero at 15% off for members of its XP program, bringing the price down to $51. However, you need to be an XP member to access the deal, and the entry pack costs $2. Purchasing the pack provides you with access to the program, and the money spent on it becomes Green Man Gaming credit, making the offer worth considering if you regularly buy PC games.

If Green Man Gaming's membership deal sounds unnecessarily complicated, Fanatical has another option available. The retailer is offering Phantom Blade Zero at a 7% discount, reducing the price to $55.79. Both offers provide an opportunity to save some money before the game's release, although the Green Man Gaming deal provides the larger discount if you qualify for it. 

Unfortunately, the situation surrounding physical copies is considerably less encouraging for PlayStation 5 players. Play-Asia previously listed a physical edition of Phantom Blade Zero, leading some people to believe that they would be able to purchase a boxed copy at launch. However, the retailer has since removed the listing after receiving information that a physical edition would not be available. 

This means you should not expect to find a physical edition of Phantom Blade Zero at launch, at least based on the information currently available. The situation is disappointing for anyone who prefers buying boxed games instead of digital copies, particularly when the title is among the more anticipated releases of the year.

Physical editions remain an important part of gaming for collectors and players who prefer keeping their games on a shelf. Unfortunately, it looks like those players will have to settle for a digital purchase if they want to play the game when it launches. This could also disappoint players who prefer sharing or trading their physical games with friends.

The decision is not entirely surprising, as newer studios entering the AAA market do not always release physical copies of their games immediately.

Even established developers and publishers now seem to handle physical releases on a case-by-case basis. Black Myth: Wukong, for example, did not receive a physical edition immediately, although its developers eventually worked with PM Studios to bring one to market. That example provides some hope that Phantom Blade Zero could follow a similar path if it performs well enough.

For now, however, there is no confirmation that Phantom Blade Zero will receive a physical edition later. If sales are strong and the reception is good, that could encourage the developers to look into that possibility, and maybe physical collectors could purchase a boxed copy in the future. Still, treat this as a possibility, not an announcement, since no physical release has been confirmed. 

Apart from the release format, recent previews have given a better glimpse of what to expect from Phantom Blade Zero. Several of the game's core elements have already been discussed, including its combat, weapon variety, and level structure, but the latest details help establish just how much content the developers are preparing.

Game director Soulframe has discussed the experience in an interview, revealing that the game will feature at least 50 bosses. The developers are also planning around 50 weapons, giving you plenty of equipment to discover as you progress. This should give you plenty of opportunities to experiment with different combat styles throughout the game.

According to the interview, Phantom Blade Zero will feature 30 main weapons and approximately 20 secondary weapons. These weapons can be obtained by defeating bosses, with the developers indicating that the number of bosses is at least comparable to the number of weapons. That puts the confirmed minimum at around 50 bosses, although the actual number could be higher. There may even be secret bosses and especially tough fights during the experience, giving you more reasons to explore areas off the main path.

The game’s unique Kung Fu Punk style also plays a big role in how the enemies are designed. 

You’ll face enemies of different sizes, shielded enemies, and horse-mounted fighters, all with their own characteristics in battle. The developers drew inspiration from traditional Chinese martial arts but added their ideas to make the game unique. As you go through the adventure, enemy designs, physical characteristics, and combat tactics become more diverse, especially in the second half of the adventure.

The story follows Soul, an elite assassin who is framed for killing the patriarch of his organization. He suffers serious injuries during the pursuit, but a mysterious healer rescues him, providing him with a temporary heart and a cure that lasts for only 66 days. The core idea has a limited time, and you have to discover the truth behind the betrayal and find out what really happened. 

There should also be plenty of reason to explore in the level design. Linear environments, semi-open spaces, with hidden regions, Metroidvania-style secrets, loot, and missable content throughout the experience. Typically enemies won’t respawn after you clear an area, which can make revisiting locations less repetitive and encourage you to explore areas you may have missed. 

The current estimate for game length is a playthrough of between 30 and 40 hours. Depending on the difficulty setting you choose, how familiar you are with action games and how much time you spend exploring optional areas, your experience may be shorter or longer. If you only play the main story, you will finish it quicker, but looking for secrets and optional bosses can extend your time. 

There will also be multiple difficulty settings, including Wayfarer and Hellwalker for Phantom Blade Zero. Hellwalker is meant for those who want to test their combat skills and offers a more challenging experience, while Wayfarer is designed to be a more accessible experience. This allows you the flexibility to choose a difficulty level that best suits your playstyle and experience.

The game also features an optional 66 Days mode, where deaths are tied to the eponymous limit, effectively capping the number of lives you can have. If you want easier action or a harder challenge, these options should give you more control over the experience. This mode could appeal to players looking for an extra layer of tension during their playthrough.

Also worth noting is that Phantom Blade Zero isn't being sold as a traditional Soulslike.

The stylish combat and tough encounters might give you that impression, but the developers are marketing it as a character-driven action title. There should be enough difficulty options available to allow players of all skill levels to enjoy the game without being forced into an overly punishing experience. That approach may help it reach a wider audience than games that make their whole identity about being insanely hard.

Combat is still one of the game’s biggest selling points, with previews pointing to its fluid movements, rapid encounters, and visceral animations. The action looks impressive in gameplay footage, but the final experience will depend on how the mechanics respond in actual play. Responsiveness, timing, and the feel of combat overall will determine whether or not the game lives up to its presentation.

With the lack of a PC launch for Grand Theft Auto 6, Phantom Blade Zero could be a promising option for players searching for a big release in 2026. With its mix of cinematic storytelling, varied enemies, multiple weapons, and lengthy campaign, it has a lot of potential.

Collectors on PlayStation 5 are probably more likely to be annoyed at the lack of a physical version, while PC gamers will get to enjoy the digital release without that particular concern. If the developers are able to deliver on the promises of the previews, Phantom Blade Zero could be one of the standout action games of the year, even if the physical collectors will have to wait for a possible later release.