Phantom Blade Zero is ready to step out of the shadows. The long-awaited action-RPG from Chinese developer S-Game is officially scheduled to appear at The Game Awards 2025, where its release date will finally be announced. The game will launch on PC and PS5, aiming to offer martial-arts combat that’s cinematic, fast, and far more forgiving than a traditional souls-like.

Phantom Blade Zero set to make a splash at The Game Awards

While The Game Awards is often packed with surprise trailers and stealth reveals, Phantom Blade Zero is a confirmed guest this year. In a short teaser posted to social media, a hand-drawn dragon rises from the earth, revealing a lone figure beneath. It’s more tone-setting than action-packed, but fans should expect deeper footage during the live show.

Developer S-Game is positioning Phantom Blade Zero as an alternative to punishing titles like Elden Ring. That doesn’t mean it’s easy hands-on previews suggest the combat is still intense but it’s designed to feel smoother, faster, and more responsive. The goal is to empower players, not overwhelm them.

Time matters: Phantom Blade Zero’s unique twist on death

The game introduces a high-stakes mechanic: you play as an assassin with only 66 days left to live. Every death costs time not just progress. That twist adds a sense of urgency without relying on standard difficulty walls. It’s a fresh spin in a genre that’s often rigid.

Part of a new wave of Chinese AAA titles

Following the hype around Black Myth: Wukong, Phantom Blade Zero joins a growing push from Chinese studios to build global, premium titles. PlayStation has supported several of these efforts to diversify its lineup, although not every project has landed. Lost Soul Aside, for example, still hasn’t delivered after years of hype.

S-Game, however, seems determined to avoid the usual pitfalls. The studio is aiming for flawless performance, promising no frame drops during combat a critical detail for a game built on precision timing.

No Xbox version, for now

Phantom Blade Zero will launch on PC and PS5, but questions about an Xbox version remain unanswered. One developer sparked headlines earlier this year by downplaying Xbox’s relevance to the project. S-Game later walked that back, clarifying the game is not a PlayStation exclusive, though no other platforms have been confirmed yet.

What to expect on December 11th

The Game Awards 2025 kicks off on December 11th, and Phantom Blade Zero is just one piece of the puzzle. Host Geoff Keighley has teased a “nefarious statue,” hinting at a mysterious world premiere. Some insiders also suggest that Knights of the Old Republic could return.

But one thing’s certain: S-Game will lock in Phantom Blade Zero’s release date, and the full reveal could finally prove why this martial-arts epic has the industry paying close attention.