Game*Spark's review of "Phantom Blade Zero" states that the game delivers a distinct kung fu movie experience through its fast-paced offense and defense, while exploration, progression, and equipment experimentation form a complete loop. However, the current version still has some technical issues. The PS5 code used for the review was provided by S-GAME.
While the parry system in this title isn't entirely new, both the player and enemies move at high speeds, perform aerial flips, and continuously counter each other's moves. To deal with fierce enemy attacks, players need to precisely block or dodge, deplete the opponent's killing intent, and then unleash combos, special techniques, and executions, creating a combat experience akin to being the protagonist of a kung fu movie.
Switching main weapons fully restores killing intent, requiring players to plan transitions between different weapons. The game also allows adjustments to the sound and intensity of weapon collisions, further enhancing parry feedback.
The reviewer initially assumed that "Phantom Blade Zero" was a pure action game heavily reliant on individual skill. However, after playing it, they discovered that exploration, side quests, character progression, and weapon upgrades are equally important. Enemies in the environment do not respawn, and dying does not result in experience loss; during exploration, players can also encounter additional bosses, acquire their weapons, and unlock more areas.
Upgrade materials can be reset and reclaimed, allowing players to continuously experiment with new equipment. The review also noted that the numerous Chinese characters used for names and terms in the Japanese version are difficult to read, some bosses may clip into invisible boundaries, and there are instances of lip-sync mismatches in certain cutscenes. Despite these issues, the reviewer still considers this title a masterpiece worth experiencing for fans of kung fu cinema.