Phantom Blade Zero sold over 4 million copies within 72 hours of its release on PS5 and PC. One review suggests that the key to the game standing out in a crowded release season lies not only in the accumulation of over 3 million wishlists prior to launch, but also in the escalating combat, exploration, and boss battles, which gradually present a "playable kung fu movie" experience.
The review cites data showing that the game achieved a Metascore of 88 based on 45 reviews, with a peak concurrent player count on Steam nearing 834,000 and 91% of user reviews being "Overwhelmingly Positive." The author believes that the game's appeal becomes more apparent after the initial few hours; upon reaching Lu Village, the dark wuxia and "Kung Fu Punk" narrative begin to unfold at an accelerated pace.
As the game progresses, weapon complexity, exploration space, and the scale of boss battles continuously increase. Scene elements such as puppet experiments, Red Line Valley, ruins, and steampunk architecture are also seen by the author as important parts that enhance the game's visual memorability.
The author also emphasizes that Phantom Blade Zero is not a traditional Soulslike game. Stage checkpoints allow players to progress through boss battles gradually, enemies do not respawn repeatedly, thus reducing the pressure to grind and allowing players to spend more time engaging with new content.
In the author's view, the game's parrying, fast-paced combat, and controls draw on familiar elements without simply copying Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, Dark Souls, or Bloodborne. Describing the game as fulfilling the promise of a "playable kung fu movie" reflects the author's assessment of the experience and the reasons for its success.