Phantom Blade Zero’s Combat Lets Players Stay on the Attack

Normal attacks, dodges, and parries use no stamina, while named difficulty settings, phased boss reload points, and a post-run permadeath challenge give players more control over the challenge.

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A lone warrior crosses a misty wooden bridge toward a distant figure.

Phantom Blade Zero launched on Oct. 29 with combat that lets Soul stay on the attack without spending stamina on regular attacks, dodges, or parries. Blocking and heavy attacks draw on Sha-Chi, which drains slowly. Heavy strikes build Power Surge, a strong unblockable combo.

Soul can equip two main weapons and carry a limited-use Phantom Edge. These special weapons can break shields, strike from a distance, or unleash fire. Bosses use distinct attacks and mechanics, and victories often add another weapon to Soul’s arsenal. The game has more than 30 main weapons and 25 Phantom Edges, giving players plenty of ways to adjust their setup. Players can also reforge upgraded weapons to recover their materials when they want to try a different blade.

Exploration offers more chances to change course. Maps branch into optional quests, hidden pickups, and areas that open when a Phantom Edge clears an obstacle. The three first-playthrough difficulty settings are Wayfarer for easy, Pathbreaker for normal, and Hellwalker for hard. Death has no penalty, and cleared enemies do not return. Boss fights also have reload points at different phases, so a defeat does not always mean repeating the entire encounter. A separate permadeath challenge unlocks after the first playthrough.

S-Game director Soulframe Liang said the goal was to let as many people as possible “have fun, unwind, and enjoy the experience,” while offering an extra rush of adrenaline to those who seek a challenge.

The wait is almost over!

Before the journey begins, our Game Director, Soulframe, shares a personal letter with you all.

We wholeheartedly welcome you into the Phantom World on October 28 at 7:00 PM PDT! pic.twitter.com/ZqTTv3tyDB

— Phantom Blade Zero (@pbzero_official) October 28, 2026

Push Square’s PS5 review also points to story delivery as a weak spot. Soul has 66 days to live after being framed for his clan leader’s murder, but flashbacks move between periods without clearly introducing some characters. Optional lore books add more reading, and health-boosting flowers trigger a 15-second monologue that prevents movement. Those pauses can interrupt an adventure built around frequent combat.

In its PS5 Pro playthrough, Push Square used Performance Mode with ray tracing enabled and reported mostly 60 fps, with drops during some boss fights. The reviewer also encountered distorted sound effects and dialogue that sat below the music. The main story took 25 to 30 hours to finish, while optional quests and weapon collecting could bring a fuller run to about 45 hours.

Which part of Phantom Blade Zero’s difficulty setup would make the biggest difference for you? For more on how its weapons and boss mechanics work together, follow us on X, Bluesky, YouTube, Instagram, Steam, and Telegram.

Framed for the death of his master and left with a ruined heart, Soul has sixty-six days to live. Alone and hunted by his former comrades, he moves through a world of shifting loyalties and silent blades — determined to unravel the conspiracy that has condemned him.

Rain mixes with blood, mercy entangles with vengeance. Soul's journey is one of love, hate, and the fragile search for what it means to have a heart.