5 Best Video Games To Play While Waiting For Phantom Blade Zero

Probably the most buzzed-about motion RPGs slated for a launch in 2026 is “Phantom Blade Zero,” set to debut on October 29. Developed and revealed by S-Sport for the PlayStation 5 and PC, the sport is about in a wuxia fantasy imaginative and prescient of China and following an murderer often known as Soul. The sport’s melee fight revolves round precision and timing, like a Soulslike recreation, however is comparatively extra forgiving. On the similar time, the fight is extra sleek and deliberate than a regular hack-and-slash title, serving to “Phantom Blade Zero” distinguish itself additional.

For followers searching for one thing to play within the interim forward of the “Phantom Blade Zero” launch this October, there are many related video games to maintain your self occupied. These are video games that additionally emphasize melee fight and prominently incorporate East Asian cultural components into their design. The video games that we’re citing additionally place a significant emphasis on timing and precision of their fight, conserving gamers on their toes. These are the 5 finest video video games to play whereas ready for “Phantom Blade Zero” and its exact swordplay motion.

We’re additionally excited concerning the upcoming “Onimusha: Manner of the Sword,” however the truth is, the total recreation is not out but, so we won’t fairly vouch for it. What is offered is the 2025 remaster of “Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Future” one of many excessive factors of the venerable Capcom collection. Initially launched in 2002 for the PlayStation 2, the sport has samurai Jubei Yagyu got down to avenge his clan by defeating the villainous Nobunaga Oda and his unholy military. Along with his regular katana and soul absorption skills, Jubei is armed with quite a lot of weapons whereas the sport additionally provides a number of playable allies to the combination.

For years, followers puzzled what happened to “Onimusha,” because the collection hadn’t acquired a brand new mainline title since 2006. Capcom has been progressively reviving the samurai motion collection, beginning with a remaster of “Onimusha: Warlords” in 2018. The remaster of “Onimusha 2” continues these sensibilities, giving gamers the choice between the basic tank controls and trendy gameplay whereas bettering the technical presentation. A superb gateway into the collection at massive, “Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Future” is the proper showcase for what the Capcom franchise is all about.

Arguably probably the most troublesome recreation on this record, “Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice” brings the soulsborne game genre to feudal Japan. Set within the late sixteenth century when Japan is split by violently rival clans, the sport facilities on Wolf, a shinobi who’s betrayed and left for lifeless. Wolf battles supernatural monsters and formidable enemies, utilizing his katana and upgradeable prosthetic arm, as he strikes to confront those that wronged him. The sport locations a stronger emphasis on stealth than different soulslike video games, in addition to timing to parry incoming assaults and strike the enemy’s subsequently weak opening.

“Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice” presents a darkish fantasy imaginative and prescient of feudal Japan and is one thing of a departure in comparison with FromSoftware’s prior “Darkish Souls” collection. The sport makes probably the most of its premise, richly incorporating Japanese folklore whereas its shinobi protagonist feels distinctive among the many pantheon of FromSoftware most important characters. Regardless of its heightened problem stage, or maybe due to it, “Sekiro” posted impressive sales figures after its debut in 2019. The FromSoftware title that the majority carefully aligns with “Phantom Blade Zero” to this point, “Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice” is an intense journey that is not for the faint of coronary heart.

Essentially the most grounded entry on this record, “Ghost of Tsushima” is not a fantasy recreation, a minimum of not with its most important marketing campaign. As an alternative, the narrative focuses on the Mongol invasion of Japan’s Tsushima Island within the thirteenth century and one samurai’s effort to liberate it. This stoic protagonist is Jin Sakai, who resorts to guerilla warfare in opposition to the Mongol occupation after barely surviving a disastrous battle. By the course of the story, Jin steadily liberates parts of the island whereas honing his mastery of the katana.

A very epic journey in scope, “Ghost of Tsushima” takes a long time to beat, particularly for completionists seeking to fulfill each side of Jin’s campaign. An immersive open-world journey, the sport gives a pointy consideration to element, particularly in regard to its cultural accuracy. The sport’s post-launch assist expanded its scope much more, together with the addition of a multiplayer mode and extra story missions. Actually, each “Ghost of Tsushima” and its standalone sequel “Ghost of Yōtei” might go on this record however, for the sake of selection, we’re conserving our concentrate on the unique masterpiece.

One other recreation like “Phantom Blade Zero” that extensively attracts from Chinese language folklore and mythology is the 2024 recreation “Black Fable: Wukong.” Developed and revealed by Sport Science, the sport is immediately impressed by the sixteenth century epic “Journey to the West” and the adventures of Solar Wukong, the Monkey King. The sport follows the Destined One, a monkey with a mysterious hyperlink to Solar Wukong who stays dormant and severed from his six senses. The Destined One embarks on his personal journey, battling bosses safeguarding these separated senses, with the protagonist decided to get well them and revive Solar Wukong.

When it launched in August 2024, “Black Myth: Wukong” blew everyone away with its attractive presentation and intuitive fight mechanics. The sport is unquestionably troublesome, although to not the identical stage as one thing like “Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice,” because the Destined One grows stronger. The sport additionally incorporates a robust emphasis on boss battles, serving up actually epic set items that may push gamers to their limits. Arguably the sport that aligns with “Phantom Blade Zero” probably the most and positively in shared visible aesthetics, “Black Fable: Wukong” is a knockout.

One other long-running collection that boasts intense melee fight and darkish fantasy components is Koei Tecmo’s “Ninja Gaiden” collection. After making the leap to 3D with the collection’ 2004 revival on the Xbox, these sensibilities have solely develop into extra pronounced, whereas retaining the franchise’s penchant for unforgiving problem. The most recent entry within the collection is 2025’s “Ninja Gaiden 4,” introducing new protagonist Yakumo. Navigating a cyberpunk Japan below assault from supernatural monsters, Yakumo meets the longtime protagonist Ryu Hayabusa to avoid wasting the world.

Even with its change in hero, “Ninja Gaiden 4” brings all of the velocity and depth of prior entries within the venerable collection. Along with the same old melee weapon fight, Yakumo has the power to control blood offensively to make himself much more formidable. And for purists, Ryu does play a significant function within the recreation’s story and is playable at sure parts of the marketing campaign. Absolutely bringing Koei Tecmo’s collection into the trendy period, “Ninja Gaiden” marks a daring future for the shinobi-led hack-and-slash franchise.