Phantom Blade Zero continues to impress, no matter where it shows up, and recently, the game put on a big show during the Future Games Show at Gamescom 2025, which gave fans plenty to get excited about.
Developer S-Game and director Soulframe Liang provided an extended deep dive into the upcoming Kungfupunk action RPG that is NOT a Soulslike, showcasing more of what makes this project so special.
The star of the show was the combat, which is a major component of the game. Phantom Blade Zero isn’t just another action RPG trying to mimic the Souls formula. Instead, it oozes with martial arts authenticity, thanks to motion-captured moves from real martial artists. The result is a combat system that feels cinematic, fluid, and rhythmic. Combos flow naturally, blocking and parrying snap into place, and every move looks like it belongs in a martial arts epic.
Trust me, if you’ve ever seen the game in action, with the controller in your hands like I have, you’d understand and come to appreciate how much effort is being put into this game.
Liang also revealed that the demo that’s being showcased at Gamescom 2025 features an optional level, letting everyone know that exploration will matter and will reward those who stray away from the main path. If players don’t take the time to fully explore Phantom Blade Zero’s world, they may miss content entirely. That alone makes it stand out in a genre where progression often follows a more linear path.
What also came across during the segment was the passion behind the project. Liang stressed that Phantom Blade Zero is not about chasing trends, but about delivering an authentic experience rooted in wuxia storytelling and Kung Fu tradition.
While we didn’t get a firm release date just yet, Liang confirmed that the official date or release window will be revealed before the end of 2025. That means fans won’t have to wait much longer for the full picture. Still, this could mean that the game could be released in 2025 or much later in 2026.
As for which platforms Phantom Blade Zero will be released on, Liang when that the game is officially coming to PlayStation 5, PlayStation 5 Pro, and PC via both the Epic Games Store and Steam. Interestingly, there was still no mention of an Xbox release, leaving fans to speculate whether the game will remain a PlayStation and PC exclusive.
With Gamescom firmly out of my reach, at least for this year, I can only hope that somehow Phantom Blade Zero makes an appearance at PAX West 2025, so I can get some more hands-on with the game.