Next Chinese Epic Captivates Steam Players

Key Takeaways

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Phantom Blade Zero, an action role-playing game developed by S-Game, has garnered over 1 million Steam wishlists.
The game, scheduled for release on September 9, 2026, is set to be available on PC and PS5, and features a Wuxia theme with fast-paced combat and challenging fights.
Unlike some previous speculation, Phantom Blade Zero is not considered a Soulslike game, although it shares similarities with titles like Ninja Gaiden, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and Nioh.
The games aesthetic draws inspiration from classic Wuxia novels, iconic Hong Kong films of the 70s through 90s, manga series such as Vagabond, Berserk, and Claymore, and Director Liangs American education and lifelong love for Japanese anime.

Phantom Blade Zero Crosses 1M Steam Wishlists, Anticipation Builds for September 2026 Release

S-Game, the Chinese developer of Phantom Blade Zero, thanked players for adding the game to their Steam wishlists. In just two weeks, beginning December 12, 2025, the number of wishlists surpassed one million. The team expressed their gratitude on social media for the support and interest in Phantom Blade Zero, a promising action role-playing game for PC and PS5 scheduled for release on September 9, 2026. Featuring a Wuxia theme, fast-paced combat, and challenging fights, S-Game’s Phantom Blade Zero aims to attract action game enthusiasts. However, the producer clarified that the game is not a Soulslike, distancing it from a designation that previously sparked interest.

Epic KungfuPunk Action Awaits in Phantom Blade Zero by Asian Developers

This distinction reflects the game’s core influences. According to Director Liang, Phantom Blade Zero’s foundation draws from classic Wuxia novels, iconic Hong Kong films of the 70s through 90s, and manga series like Vagabond, Berserk, and Claymore. Players may recognize similarities in the game’s mechanics to titles such as Ninja Gaiden, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and Nioh. Liang noted that his American education and lifelong love for Japanese anime heavily influenced the project, resulting in its unique KungfuPunk aesthetic. Phantom Blade Zero hopes to capitalize on the growing recognition of action titles produced by Asian teams, including Black Myth: Wukong, Lies of P, Stellar Blade, and Wuchang: Fallen Feathers.

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