Preview: Phantom Blade Zero Is the Next Truly Essential PS5 Game

Push Square played six hours of Phantom Blade Zero in Beijing and found its combat system and boss fights to be the standout. Basic attacks do not consume the Sha-Chi stamina gauge, while blocking, dodging, and Sha-Chi strikes do, and performing them charges an Essence attack. There is no death penalty, enemies do not respawn, and difficulty can be switched from the pause menu, so the author argues it is not a Soulslike. The story follows protagonist Soul, who receives a new heart that leaves him 66 days to live, and the game launches in a few weeks.