Phantom Blade Zero Could Be a Game of the Year Contender Thanks to Its Impressive Combat and Storytelling Potential

With its martial arts combat, challenging bosses, and weapon variety already attracting attention, Phantom Blade Zero could become one of 2026’s best games if its story and characters deliver.

Phantom Blade Zero is heading toward its release, and expectations are already high for its combat and general gameplay. There is less than a week to go until the release of the action game, which is being billed as a possible contender for some of the year's biggest gaming awards.

It’s given some impressive combat demonstrations that have given players plenty of reasons to be excited, but there is still the question of whether the complete experience can meet those expectations. Its gameplay might be great, but it’s the quality of its story and characters that will determine if it becomes one of 2026’s most memorable releases.

There have been several big games this year, making the Game of the Year race especially intriguing.

Games like Pragmata, Resident Evil, and 007 have been released to help establish a strong lineup, and the second half of the year has seen so many games released that it’s been tough to track every single one. Competition also has Grand Theft Auto VI looming, with many gamers expecting Rockstar’s next release to take home the major awards when the time comes.

That doesn’t mean other games can’t compete for attention or become personal favorites, though, and Phantom Blade Zero still has a chance to be one of the year’s best releases. Its success will ultimately depend on how well it delivers on the expectations built around its combat while offering enough depth to stand out from the competition.

The title is going to be a major contender at The Game Awards, and frankly it would be a shock if it didn’t win Game of the Year. Results from previous awards, however, have shown that the clear favorite doesn't always win the top prize. For example, Red Dead Redemption 2 was not awarded Game of the Year, with God of War taking the prize, which shows that even extremely anticipated releases can have tough competition.

Ultimately, awards are just one way to judge how well a game is doing, and your Game of the Year might be Phantom Blade Zero, Mixtape, Star Wars Zero Company, or something else entirely. What matters most is how much a game resonates with you and whether it delivers an experience that stays with you long after the credits roll.

The bigger question is if Phantom Blade Zero can deliver the kind of experience that makes it a contender for best games of 2026. We’ve already seen a fair bit of its combat, with previews showing off the fluid movement, martial arts, and boss encounters. Sure, a good action game is about more than just getting the fighting mechanics right.

Story is one of the biggest things that could make Phantom Blade Zero stand out.

FromSoftware has consistently proven how worldbuilding and lore can work in tandem with challenging combat, giving players reasons to become invested in the worlds they traverse. While their games are often known for their hard-fought battles and combat systems, their settings, characters, and background stories are also a huge part of their identity. 

Another good point of comparison is Lies of P, which has become one of the stronger games to come out of the FromSoftware formula. But it’s not just the challenge of the enemies that makes it appealing—the setting, characters, and story add another layer of depth to the experience.

Phantom Blade Zero doesn’t have to be better than Elden Ring. Or as good as all the other FromSoftware games. It just has to be a great game. If it delivers a similarly compelling mix of combat, worldbuilding, and storytelling, it could be one of the standout action games of the year.

But the game’s story is one of the least explored elements of its release. Recent previews have been very gameplay heavy, highlighting the combat system and the different encounters players can expect. While some of the narrative has been revealed, the available footage has not been enough to show how the story unfolded. 

With Donnie Yen’s involvement, Phantom Blade Zero also has the chance to include some memorable character interactions. His character has appeared in advertising, but his role in the story and relation to the protagonist remain unrevealed in the trailers. A good dynamic between characters can make the journey more engaging, especially if their interactions add to the emotional side of the story.

There are other characters in the game whose roles have not been much explored, which allows the developers to bring unexpected twists throughout the adventure. Their relationships with the protagonist could also add more depth to the narrative and give players additional reasons to remain invested in the story.

The idea of a protagonist who is against the clock and goes on a quest creates the potential for a story built on urgency and personal stakes.

Should the developers be able to tie that premise into some meaningful relationships and character development, then the narrative could be one of the game’s strongest elements. The characters needn’t be perfect, and not every interaction has to have significant emotional import. What’s important is that their personalities feel different and their relationships provide players reasons to care what happens to them.

That said, the fighting is still the most important aspect of Phantom Blade Zero. The game has already gotten attention due to its martial arts-based fighting, slick animations, weapon variety, and boss fights. All of these elements must be fun for the entire experience, not just when players are shown off in promotional demos. 

Weapon progression will also be a big factor in keeping the gameplay engaging. Oh and beating a boss and getting a new weapon should give you a reason to try different movesets and different approaches to combat. This will make the combat more interesting. Points invested in upgrades should make your character feel more powerful, and each new weapon should offer something that changes the way you approach encounters.

The systems, as well as various enemies and tough bosses, could help Phantom Blade Zero keep its pace throughout the adventure. Each encounter should also give you a reason to experiment with different weapons and combat strategies, keeping the gameplay engaging as you progress through the story. This variety could also encourage you to adapt to different combat situations rather than relying on the same techniques throughout the game.

If the developers do nail these basics, the game might already be a great action release.

But often, how well everything else supports the core experience makes the difference between a good action game and one of the year’s best titles. With a solid story, memorable characters, and other surprising strengths, Phantom Blade Zero could surprise players and be more than they expect from a game that focuses on combat. These extra qualities could finally be what helps it contend for recognition at year’s end.

Those extra elements are important, and Onimusha is a good example. The reviews for the game have been strong, putting it in the upper echelon of reviewed releases this year. Its combat and action are an important part of what makes it appealing, but the broader experience also plays a role in how it’s received. Phantom Blade Zero might be interested in doing something similar, delivering the gameplay players expect but with other qualities that make the experience more memorable.

But, if Phantom Blade Zero can deliver on the strengths that have already turned heads, it could be one of the best games of 2026. Its combat needs to live up to the hype, and its story and characters could be the needed added depth to elevate it above other action releases. It may not win Game of the Year, but a consistently good experience could see it among the year’s best. With its release, Phantom Blade Zero has the biggest opportunity to deliver on what players love and surprise them with things they haven’t seen before.