# Phantom Blade Zero Is Out: Best Action Games in 2026

> Phantom Blade Zero shipped on 29 October to an 88 Metacritic score. Here is how it compares with Sekiro, Black Myth Wukong, Nioh 3, Stellar Blade and Devil May Cry 5.

By Arthur R. · Published 2026-10-30 · Updated 2026-10-30 · 9 min read · https://innvesti.com/games/phantom-blade-zero-launch-best-action-games-compared-2026/

## Quick answer

Phantom Blade Zero is the strongest new action game to buy this week if you want fast, combo-driven melee combat and bosses. It is not a Soulslike, and it is not the cheapest way into the genre. Sekiro, Black Myth: Wukong, Nioh 3, Stellar Blade and Devil May Cry 5 each suit a different player.

## Key takeaways

- Phantom Blade Zero launched on 29 October 2026 on PS5 and PC (Steam lists 28 October), from S-Game, and holds roughly 88 on Metacritic and 91 on OpenCritic according to launch roundups.
- Critics praise the combat and bosses most. Recurring complaints are a weak story, repetitive regular enemies and technical problems. Eurogamer's 60 is the lowest score reported.
- Game Informer, which scored it 9.5, says it is not a Soulslike. Its closest reference points are Sekiro, Devil May Cry and Bayonetta.
- The standard edition is reported at $59.99 on Steam, the same list price as Black Myth: Wukong. Devil May Cry 5 lists at $29.99.
- Pick Sekiro for parry-driven duels, Black Myth: Wukong for spectacle, Nioh 3 for loot and build depth, Stellar Blade for cinematic action on PS5 and PC, and Devil May Cry 5 for stylish combos at the lowest price.

## Key figures

- **88** — Phantom Blade Zero Metacritic score (launch roundups)
- **91** — Phantom Blade Zero OpenCritic score
- **Oct 29, 2026** — Phantom Blade Zero release date (PS5, PC)

## Ranked

1. **Phantom Blade Zero** — Best for combo-heavy action and boss fights. https://store.steampowered.com/app/4115450
2. **Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice** — Best for parry-driven duels. https://www.sekirothegame.com
3. **Black Myth: Wukong** — Best for spectacle and mythology-driven bosses. https://store.steampowered.com/app/2358720
4. **Nioh 3** — Best for loot, builds and samurai combat. https://teamninja-studio.com
5. **Stellar Blade** — Best for a cinematic action game that is already on sale. https://www.stellarblade.com
6. **Devil May Cry 5** — Best for stylish combos at the lowest price. https://www.devilmaycry.com

## Comparison

| Game | Release | Critic score | Style | Best for |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Phantom Blade Zero | 29 Oct 2026 | About 88 Metacritic, 91 OpenCritic | Combo-based wuxia action | Combat and boss fans |
| Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice | 2019 | 88 PC GOTY listing | Posture and parry duels | Patient duelists |
| Black Myth: Wukong | Aug 2024 | 81 | Boss-driven mythology action | Spectacle |
| Nioh 3 | 6 Feb 2026 | 85 PC, 86 PS5 | Soulslike with loot and builds | Build tinkerers |
| Stellar Blade | PS5 first, PC later | 84 PC | Cinematic parry action | Players waiting for a sale |
| Devil May Cry 5 | 2019 | 89 PC | Stylish combo action | Budget buyers |

## FAQ

### When did Phantom Blade Zero come out?

Phantom Blade Zero launched worldwide on 29 October 2026 on PS5 and PC, after S-Game moved it from an original 9 September date. Steam lists 28 October because of time zones.

### What is the Phantom Blade Zero Metacritic score?

Launch roundups put it at about 88 on Metacritic and 91 on OpenCritic, with individual scores from 60 to 100. Some outlets cite slightly different snapshots, so check the live pages.

### Is Phantom Blade Zero a Soulslike?

Game Informer says it is not. The review cites challenging bosses and checkpoints but also difficulty options, and enemies do not respawn. Other critics describe aggressive, acrobatic action rather than a traditional Soulslike.

### Is Phantom Blade Zero on Xbox?

No Xbox version has been announced. It is on PS5 and on PC through Steam and the Epic Games Store, and a boxed PS5 edition has been reported for 2027.

### What is a cheaper alternative to Phantom Blade Zero?

Devil May Cry 5 lists at $29.99 on Steam and holds an 89 PC Metacritic score. Stellar Blade and Sekiro are other options, but prices vary by store and sale.

## How we evaluated

This is a news-driven comparison written the day after Phantom Blade Zero launched. We confirmed the release date and platforms from Game Informer's review and launch coverage. We took scores from review roundups and search-indexed Metacritic and OpenCritic snapshots, and cross-checked prices against named outlets. Launch-week scores and prices move, so confirm current figures on store pages. We compared games on genre fit, critic reception, price and platform availability, not on personal play time.

- Relevance to a reader deciding whether to buy Phantom Blade Zero
- Critic reception from Metacritic and OpenCritic
- Combat style and difficulty
- Price and platform availability as reported

## Sources

- [Game Informer - Phantom Blade Zero review](https://gameinformer.com/review/phantom-blade-zero/wuxian-wonder-abounds)
- [Vice - Phantom Blade Zero review roundup](https://www.vice.com/en/article/phantom-blade-zero-review-roundup/)
- [Gagadget - Phantom Blade Zero reviews and price](https://gagadget.com/en/731699-phantom-blade-zero-reviews-land-at-88-on-metacritic-5999/)
- [GamesRadar - Nioh 3 Metacritic score](https://www.gamesradar.com/games/action/nioh-3-metacritic-score-sees-it-beat-nioh-2-with-its-open-world-pivot-but-you-may-be-surprised-to-hear-its-still-losing-to-the-original-samurai-soulslike)
- [Video Games Chronicle - Sekiro sales hit 2 million in 10 days](https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/sekiro-shadows-die-twice-sales-hit-2-million-in-10-days/)
- [Press Start - Black Myth Wukong passes a million players on PC](https://press-start.com.au/news/2024/08/20/black-myth-wukong-already-has-over-a-million-players-on-pc/)