Phantom Blade Zero Gamescom 2025

It’s been a year since my first encounter with Phantom Blade Zero at Gamescom 2024. Back then, I had a short 30-minute session that felt more like watching a newborn take its first steps. But this year, spending an entire ninety minutes with the game showed how much that “newborn” has grown up. I want to share a few highlights from my second hands-on experience with this ambitious title in this article.

While the graphical improvements over the past year were expected, what truly captivated me during this extended demo was the combat rhythm. Let me clear something up right away: Phantom Blade Zero is not a Soulslike. Its biggest strength is that it confidently stands on its own, without trying to imitate anything else. Here, you’re not tied down to rigid button timings for attacking or defending. Instead, the combat feels like a flowing sword dance, reminiscent of classic Eastern martial arts films. Years ago, I watched The One-Armed Swordsman; it’s no exaggeration to say that almost every duel in Phantom Blade Zero brought that movie back to mind.

The story follows a skilled assassin who has been framed for murder. With only 66 days left to live, he must fight through countless enemies to uncover the truth behind the crime pinned on him. According to the developers, their goal has been to blend traditional Chinese Kung Fu with the martial arts cinema of the ’80s and ’90s, creating a grounded yet thrilling action-RPG. Having spent a combined two hours with the game across Gamescom 2024 and 2025, I can say with confidence that they’ve stayed true to this vision.

This demo gave me access to 12 different weapons — heavy, light, and ranged. The game offers three difficulty modes: easy, normal, and hard. Each weapon comes with its own unique animations for parries, counters, and basic attacks. Whether exploring or locked in combat, the game’s speed promises a fast-paced action-RPG unlike anything I’ve played before. It felt like a mix of Ninja Gaiden and God of War, sprinkled with a touch of Ghost of Tsushima. Still, it’s important to stress that Phantom Blade Zero ultimately stands as an experience entirely its own. Before playing this extended demo, I expected a solid and entertaining action game. After 90 minutes, however, my expectations have risen far beyond that.

In the end, Phantom Blade Zero has not only become one of my most anticipated titles, but I also believe it has the potential to be a serious Game of the Year contender when it launches. Bold, fresh, and undeniably ambitious, this is a game we’ll surely be hearing much more about in the future.