Phantom Blade Zero: State of Play dives deep into gameplay and story

S-GAME took advantage of a State of Play to unveil new gameplay sequences and delve deeper into the story of Phantom Blade Zero. A Chinese action-RPG that is increasingly establishing itself as one of the most anticipated titles on PS5 and PC.

What the State of Play Showed

S-GAME, the independent Chinese studio behind Phantom Blade Zero, used this showcase to go beyond the atmospheric trailers that initially drew attention. This new State of Play provides a concrete look at two dimensions of the game: how it plays, and what it tells.

In terms of gameplay, the sequences confirm a combat system with a "wuxia punk" aesthetic—blending codified martial arts, anachronistic firearms, and dark magic, all in a rhythm reminiscent of the best moments from Sekiro or Devil May Cry, but with its own visual identity. The animations are fluid, and the combos remain readable despite their density.

On the story, the game draws from a dark Chinese fantasy universe that S-GAME has been developing for years through the Phantom Blade franchise (mobile games). The protagonist, Sam, finds himself entangled in a conspiracy far beyond clan battles—its narrative structure seems built to sustain a AAA format.

Why We're Paying Attention

Phantom Blade Zero burst onto the scene out of nowhere during the September 2023 PlayStation State of Play with a trailer that spread across forums in a matter of hours. The visual coup from an unknown studio in the West—S-GAME has been working on this IP for over a decade in Asia—stood out against far more established productions.

Since then, every new piece of content has maintained the standard. That’s rare. Many games announced with great fanfare fade as concrete details emerge. Phantom Blade Zero is going the opposite way: the more we see, the more the desire grows.

Our Provisional Verdict

We haven’t played anything yet—we’re being honest. But State of Play events are often opportunities for studios to polish a presentation while hiding rough edges. S-GAME is showing real gameplay, natural transitions, and unapologetic storytelling. It doesn’t smell like hollow marketing.

To remember: One of the few action RPGs currently in development where style doesn’t mask emptiness—instead, it seems to inhabit something solid. Keep a very close eye on it.

For whom: Fans of Sekiro, Wo Long, and anything in demanding Eastern action RPGs. And anyone who wants Chinese video games to assert themselves on the global stage on their own terms.