Phantom Blade Zero hits 300k Steam sales and 1.6M wishlists before October launch

S-GAME’s action RPG Phantom Blade Zero has reportedly sold 300,000 copies on Steam and accumulated 1.6 million wishlists ahead of its October 29 launch, signaling strong early momentum for the Chinese studio’s upcoming title.

Pre-launch steam numbers show solid demand

According to industry analyst Rhys Elliott at Alinea Analytics, Phantom Blade Zero has reached 300,000 Steam sales before its official release. The game has also surpassed 1.6 million wishlists on the platform. S-GAME revealed that pre-orders have already exceeded their internal expectations, and gaming consultant Daniel Camilo believes the game is gaining significant traction within the community.

The surge appears tied to several high-profile moments. The game received a notable boost following its appearance at The Game Awards, though reports remain unclear on how much additional momentum came from subsequent gameplay trailers and a State of Play showcase. A major advantage working in the studio’s favor is Phantom Blade Zero’s official China publishing license, which Camilo notes allows S-GAME to broaden its marketing reach throughout the region. The license has already attracted local brands interested in promotional partnerships with the studio.

What to expect when it launches

Phantom Blade Zero is scheduled to release October 29, 2026 for PS5 and PC. The main campaign is expected to take 30-40 hours to complete, with players able to select from three different difficulty modes. The game also features a 66-day survival mode that introduces unique mechanics, limiting players to 66 lives to finish the campaign.

Why this matters

The sales and wishlist numbers position Phantom Blade Zero as a significant contender in the action RPG space, particularly following Black Myth Wukong’s commercial success last year. That game demonstrated substantial Western appetite for Chinese-developed action titles with strong combat systems and distinctive visual styles. Phantom Blade Zero’s pre-launch performance suggests it could replicate or expand on that market success.

The 1.6 million wishlists are a meaningful metric—they represent committed interest from players who’ve specifically bookmarked the game for purchase. Combined with 300,000 pre-sales, these numbers suggest healthy cross-platform awareness and genuine player anticipation rather than fleeting hype. The availability of a China publishing license also removes a potential barrier that has historically complicated Chinese game releases in other regions.

For S-GAME as a studio, this launch represents a major opportunity to establish itself as a heavyweight in global game development, not just within China’s domestic market. The involvement of notable figures—actor Donnie Yen has publicly praised the game’s quality—adds entertainment industry credibility alongside gaming industry buzz.

What comes next

All eyes will be on how Phantom Blade Zero performs at launch on October 29, particularly how its Steam player counts and reviews develop in the critical first weeks. Follow-up announcements regarding post-launch content, patches, or performance updates will likely shape how the broader community receives the title.