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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsPhantom Blade Zero has a genuine John Wick connection: developer S-Game cites Donnie Yen’s performance in John Wick: Chapter 4 among its influences. But it is not a game adaptation of the films. S-Game describes its own blend of Chinese martial arts, occult forces, and intricate machinery as “Kungfupunk”—a dark fantasy world built around an assassin, a conspiracy, and a 66-day deadline.
What is Phantom Blade Zero?
Phantom Blade Zero is an action game from S-Game, introduced by founder and CEO Soulframe Liang as the spiritual rebirth of Rainblood, the series that developed into the Phantom Blade franchise. The official introduction says it is being developed in Unreal Engine 5. S-Game said the wider franchise had over 20 million fans in 2023; that is the developer’s claim about the franchise, not a sales or audience figure for this game. PlayStation.Blog’s official introduction
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| 1 |
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Stellar Blade - PlayStation 5 | $46.30 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls- PlayStation 5 | $59.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Persona 3 Reload: Standard Edition - PlayStation 5 | $14.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Dolmen - PlayStation 5 | $31.95 | Buy on Amazon |
Why people compare it to John Wick
The comparison has a specific basis, but it should not be taken as a promise of the same pacing, tone, or quality. S-Game names Donnie Yen’s role in John Wick: Chapter 4 as one of the pop-culture references behind the game’s martial-arts lineage. The developer’s stated influences inform a stylized action game with its own setting and identity, rather than an adaptation of the film series. PlayStation.Blog
The focus is close-quarters martial-arts and sword action. Liang says the combat’s moves must use handcrafted animation: “Combat moves in Phantom Blade Zero have to be made with handcrafted animation, because motion capturing can’t do it justice.” That is the studio’s stated approach, not independent evidence of how the finished combat feels to play.
#1 Best Overall
- Stunning PS5 visuals: Explore vibrant futuristic environments, and engage with a cast of original friends and foes from the creative minds of the SHIFT UP team, led by renowned artist Kim Hyung Tae.
- Ultra high-speed SSD: Explore new locations, overcome powerful enemies, and encounter jaw-dropping revelations as you advance relentlessly through EVE’s mission with lightning-fast load times.
- Adaptive triggers: Unleash devastating yet graceful acrobatic moves, and interact with the technological remnants of an abandoned Earth using the DualSense wireless controller’s adaptive triggers.
- Haptic feedback: Feel the thrill of combat as your blade slashes its way to victory, with sensations enriched by the DualSense wireless controller’s responsive vibrations.
- Users Interact, In-Game Purchases
What does “Kungfupunk” mean?
S-Game uses “Kungfupunk” for the game’s art direction. The Phantom World combines Chinese kung fu, occult arts, and intricate machinery with steampunk qualities, alongside elements that do not fit neatly into those categories. Liang’s official introduction puts it plainly: “We call this overall art direction ‘Kungfupunk’.” It describes a deliberately blended fantasy world, not a claim that the setting is historically authentic or that the game is connected to any particular film franchise. PlayStation.Blog
What is the story about?
You play Soul, an elite assassin framed for killing the patriarch of the Order. A healer saves him with a makeshift cure, but it will last only 66 days. Soul must uncover the conspiracy behind the murder before the cure runs out. That deadline gives the premise a clear source of urgency; the official synopsis does not establish how the game’s full story or missions are structured. PlayStation.Blog
Rank #2
- Assemble your team of legendary Marvel characters in the ultimate 4v4 tag team fighter from PlayStation Studios, Arc System Works and Marvel Games.
- Experiment with team compositions to discover new combos, synergies, and strategies. Blast your way through dynamic stages based on iconic Marvel Universe locales, some featuring interactive stage transitions.
- Fighting is both immersive and intuitive, with a range of unique move sets, combos, and strategies to master. Adjustable controls, both traditional and quick inputs, plus easy chain combos make diving right in a breeze.
- Face off against a friend locally or join the fray with up to 64 players in the online lobby, including standard VS modes. Plus, dive deep on each team with the single player Episode Mode to learn more about team dynamics and lore.
Donnie Yen’s role—and what it does not prove
Game Informer reports that Yen contributes his voice, face model, and motion capture for Mó Yuan, and serves as a creative consultant. That involvement gives the game a direct connection to an experienced martial-arts performer, beyond the cited film influence. It is not evidence that the game has already succeeded critically or that it will be one of 2026’s best. Game Informer
Platforms and release date
The official introduction names PlayStation 5 as a platform. A GamesRadar release-date roundup lists October 29, 2026, as the release date; that is secondary reporting, rather than a date established by the official introduction cited here. Check the listing for updates as release information can change. GamesRadar
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Rank #3
- Experience the pivotal game of the Persona series faithfully remade with cutting-edge graphics, modernized quality-of-life features, and signature stylish UI.
- Fully immerse yourself in an emotional, gripping journey with new scenes and character interactions, additional voiceover, and a reloaded soundtrack.
- Choose how to meaningfully spend each day through various activities from exploring the Port Island to forging genuine bonds with beloved characters.
- Build and command your optimal team to take down otherworldly Shadows and climb closer to the truth.
Could it be 2026’s best game?
It is a forecast, not a verdict. The stated combination—handcrafted martial-arts animation, sword combat, occult fantasy, and an assassin’s conspiracy—gives Phantom Blade Zero a distinct pitch. Yen’s involvement and the John Wick reference help explain its martial-arts influences, but neither establishes the finished game’s quality. Whether it earns a year-best ranking will depend on the released game and how it is received; the sources cited here do not substantiate that prediction.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Dolmen is a terrifying new action RPG that combines futuristic Sci-Fi and Cosmic Horror elements
- Dolmen casts players onto a hostile alien world known as Revion Prime - Your job is to bring back samples of a crystal with particularly unique properties - the so-called "Dolmen"
- Experience a rich combat system with various weapons and moves at your disposal
- Energy management is key to victory in Dolmen - Energy is not only used for ranged weapons, but also for activating "Energy Mode"
- Revion Prime offers a wide array of gruesome obstacles that will put your skills to the test
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