Feature image of Kungfupunk Goes Global: ‘Phantom Blade Zero’ Sells 4 Million in 3 Days

Kungfupunk Goes Global: ‘Phantom Blade Zero’ Sells 4 Million in 3 Days

2 mins read

2 mins read

Feature image of Kungfupunk Goes Global: ‘Phantom Blade Zero’ Sells 4 Million in 3 Days
China’s new AAA martial arts action RPG, made with help from Donnie Yen, broke Steam records and became the country’s biggest gaming hit since Black Myth: Wukong. Find out why.

Move over, Wukong. There’s a new assassin in town.

Phantom Blade Zero, the “kungfupunk” action RPG from Beijing studio S-GAME, has sold more than 4 million copies in 72 hours on PS5 and PC since it launched on October 29. On Steam, it peaked at roughly 833,000 players at once. That puts it among the 15 biggest launches in the platform’s history, ahead of the all-time player peaks of Marvel Rivals and Battlefield 6.

RADII highlights Chinese AAA game Phantom Blade Zero by S-GAME, a kungfupunk action RPG that sold 4 million copies in just 3 days from its release.
Image via PlayStation.

The story is pure wuxia drama. You play Soul, an elite assassin framed for killing his own sect’s leader. He’s brought back to life with a tainted heart that gives him just 66 days to clear his name. What’s really got players hooked is the combat: wall-running, parries that teleport you behind enemies, 30+ weapons, and fight choreography guided by Hong Kong action legend Donnie Yen, who also appears in the game as Mo Yuan.

RADII highlights Chinese AAA game Phantom Blade Zero by S-GAME, a kungfupunk action RPG that sold 4 million copies in just 3 days from its release.
Image via NME.
RADII highlights Chinese AAA game Phantom Blade Zero by S-GAME, a kungfupunk action RPG that sold 4 million copies in just 3 days from its release.
Image via Epic Games.

The launch wasn’t flawless, however. Crashes and stuttering pulled early Steam reviews down to 77% positive, but a big patch pushed them back up to about 90%. Critics are on board too, with an 88 on Metacritic and a 9/10 from IGN.

RADII highlights Chinese AAA game Phantom Blade Zero by S-GAME, a kungfupunk action RPG that sold 4 million copies in just 3 days from its release.
Image via PlayStation.

That’s not bad for a series that started more than 15 years ago as Rainblood, a homemade RPG Maker project by creator Liang “Soulframe” Qiwei. After Black Myth: Wukong, China’s AAA era has officially unlocked its second boss. And if you’re hearing about Phantom Blade Zero for the very first time, check out the game’s official launch trailer below before you inevitably get the full game for yourself.

Cover image via G2A.

NEWSLETTER

Get weekly top picks and exclusive, newsletter only content delivered straight to you inbox.

NEWSLETTER

Get weekly top picks and exclusive, newsletter only content delivered straight to you inbox.

RADII NEWSLETTER

Get weekly top picks and exclusive, newsletter only content delivered straight to you inbox

Feature image of Kungfupunk Goes Global: ‘Phantom Blade Zero’ Sells 4 Million in 3 Days

Kungfupunk Goes Global: ‘Phantom Blade Zero’ Sells 4 Million in 3 Days

2 mins read

China’s new AAA martial arts action RPG, made with help from Donnie Yen, broke Steam records and became the country’s biggest gaming hit since Black Myth: Wukong. Find out why.

Move over, Wukong. There’s a new assassin in town.

Phantom Blade Zero, the “kungfupunk” action RPG from Beijing studio S-GAME, has sold more than 4 million copies in 72 hours on PS5 and PC since it launched on October 29. On Steam, it peaked at roughly 833,000 players at once. That puts it among the 15 biggest launches in the platform’s history, ahead of the all-time player peaks of Marvel Rivals and Battlefield 6.

RADII highlights Chinese AAA game Phantom Blade Zero by S-GAME, a kungfupunk action RPG that sold 4 million copies in just 3 days from its release.
Image via PlayStation.

The story is pure wuxia drama. You play Soul, an elite assassin framed for killing his own sect’s leader. He’s brought back to life with a tainted heart that gives him just 66 days to clear his name. What’s really got players hooked is the combat: wall-running, parries that teleport you behind enemies, 30+ weapons, and fight choreography guided by Hong Kong action legend Donnie Yen, who also appears in the game as Mo Yuan.

RADII highlights Chinese AAA game Phantom Blade Zero by S-GAME, a kungfupunk action RPG that sold 4 million copies in just 3 days from its release.
Image via NME.
RADII highlights Chinese AAA game Phantom Blade Zero by S-GAME, a kungfupunk action RPG that sold 4 million copies in just 3 days from its release.
Image via Epic Games.

The launch wasn’t flawless, however. Crashes and stuttering pulled early Steam reviews down to 77% positive, but a big patch pushed them back up to about 90%. Critics are on board too, with an 88 on Metacritic and a 9/10 from IGN.

RADII highlights Chinese AAA game Phantom Blade Zero by S-GAME, a kungfupunk action RPG that sold 4 million copies in just 3 days from its release.
Image via PlayStation.

That’s not bad for a series that started more than 15 years ago as Rainblood, a homemade RPG Maker project by creator Liang “Soulframe” Qiwei. After Black Myth: Wukong, China’s AAA era has officially unlocked its second boss. And if you’re hearing about Phantom Blade Zero for the very first time, check out the game’s official launch trailer below before you inevitably get the full game for yourself.

Cover image via G2A.

NEWSLETTER

Get weekly top picks and exclusive, newsletter only content delivered straight to you inbox.

RADII NEWSLETTER

Get weekly top picks and exclusive, newsletter only content delivered straight to you inbox

RELATED POSTS

Feature image of Kungfupunk Goes Global: ‘Phantom Blade Zero’ Sells 4 Million in 3 Days

Kungfupunk Goes Global: ‘Phantom Blade Zero’ Sells 4 Million in 3 Days

2 mins read

2 mins read

Feature image of Kungfupunk Goes Global: ‘Phantom Blade Zero’ Sells 4 Million in 3 Days
China’s new AAA martial arts action RPG, made with help from Donnie Yen, broke Steam records and became the country’s biggest gaming hit since Black Myth: Wukong. Find out why.

Move over, Wukong. There’s a new assassin in town.

Phantom Blade Zero, the “kungfupunk” action RPG from Beijing studio S-GAME, has sold more than 4 million copies in 72 hours on PS5 and PC since it launched on October 29. On Steam, it peaked at roughly 833,000 players at once. That puts it among the 15 biggest launches in the platform’s history, ahead of the all-time player peaks of Marvel Rivals and Battlefield 6.

RADII highlights Chinese AAA game Phantom Blade Zero by S-GAME, a kungfupunk action RPG that sold 4 million copies in just 3 days from its release.
Image via PlayStation.

The story is pure wuxia drama. You play Soul, an elite assassin framed for killing his own sect’s leader. He’s brought back to life with a tainted heart that gives him just 66 days to clear his name. What’s really got players hooked is the combat: wall-running, parries that teleport you behind enemies, 30+ weapons, and fight choreography guided by Hong Kong action legend Donnie Yen, who also appears in the game as Mo Yuan.

RADII highlights Chinese AAA game Phantom Blade Zero by S-GAME, a kungfupunk action RPG that sold 4 million copies in just 3 days from its release.
Image via NME.
RADII highlights Chinese AAA game Phantom Blade Zero by S-GAME, a kungfupunk action RPG that sold 4 million copies in just 3 days from its release.
Image via Epic Games.

The launch wasn’t flawless, however. Crashes and stuttering pulled early Steam reviews down to 77% positive, but a big patch pushed them back up to about 90%. Critics are on board too, with an 88 on Metacritic and a 9/10 from IGN.

RADII highlights Chinese AAA game Phantom Blade Zero by S-GAME, a kungfupunk action RPG that sold 4 million copies in just 3 days from its release.
Image via PlayStation.

That’s not bad for a series that started more than 15 years ago as Rainblood, a homemade RPG Maker project by creator Liang “Soulframe” Qiwei. After Black Myth: Wukong, China’s AAA era has officially unlocked its second boss. And if you’re hearing about Phantom Blade Zero for the very first time, check out the game’s official launch trailer below before you inevitably get the full game for yourself.

Cover image via G2A.

NEWSLETTER

Get weekly top picks and exclusive, newsletter only content delivered straight to you inbox.

NEWSLETTER

Get weekly top picks and exclusive, newsletter only content delivered straight to you inbox.

RADII NEWSLETTER

Get weekly top picks and exclusive, newsletter only content delivered straight to you inbox

Feature image of Kungfupunk Goes Global: ‘Phantom Blade Zero’ Sells 4 Million in 3 Days

Kungfupunk Goes Global: ‘Phantom Blade Zero’ Sells 4 Million in 3 Days

2 mins read

China’s new AAA martial arts action RPG, made with help from Donnie Yen, broke Steam records and became the country’s biggest gaming hit since Black Myth: Wukong. Find out why.

Move over, Wukong. There’s a new assassin in town.

Phantom Blade Zero, the “kungfupunk” action RPG from Beijing studio S-GAME, has sold more than 4 million copies in 72 hours on PS5 and PC since it launched on October 29. On Steam, it peaked at roughly 833,000 players at once. That puts it among the 15 biggest launches in the platform’s history, ahead of the all-time player peaks of Marvel Rivals and Battlefield 6.

RADII highlights Chinese AAA game Phantom Blade Zero by S-GAME, a kungfupunk action RPG that sold 4 million copies in just 3 days from its release.
Image via PlayStation.

The story is pure wuxia drama. You play Soul, an elite assassin framed for killing his own sect’s leader. He’s brought back to life with a tainted heart that gives him just 66 days to clear his name. What’s really got players hooked is the combat: wall-running, parries that teleport you behind enemies, 30+ weapons, and fight choreography guided by Hong Kong action legend Donnie Yen, who also appears in the game as Mo Yuan.

RADII highlights Chinese AAA game Phantom Blade Zero by S-GAME, a kungfupunk action RPG that sold 4 million copies in just 3 days from its release.
Image via NME.
RADII highlights Chinese AAA game Phantom Blade Zero by S-GAME, a kungfupunk action RPG that sold 4 million copies in just 3 days from its release.
Image via Epic Games.

The launch wasn’t flawless, however. Crashes and stuttering pulled early Steam reviews down to 77% positive, but a big patch pushed them back up to about 90%. Critics are on board too, with an 88 on Metacritic and a 9/10 from IGN.

RADII highlights Chinese AAA game Phantom Blade Zero by S-GAME, a kungfupunk action RPG that sold 4 million copies in just 3 days from its release.
Image via PlayStation.

That’s not bad for a series that started more than 15 years ago as Rainblood, a homemade RPG Maker project by creator Liang “Soulframe” Qiwei. After Black Myth: Wukong, China’s AAA era has officially unlocked its second boss. And if you’re hearing about Phantom Blade Zero for the very first time, check out the game’s official launch trailer below before you inevitably get the full game for yourself.

Cover image via G2A.

NEWSLETTER

Get weekly top picks and exclusive, newsletter only content delivered straight to you inbox.

RADII NEWSLETTER

Get weekly top picks and exclusive, newsletter only content delivered straight to you inbox

RADII newsletter pop up visual

NEWSLETTER​

Get weekly top picks and exclusive, newsletter only content delivered straight to you inbox

RADII Newsletter Pop Up small banner

NEWSLETTER

Get weekly top picks and exclusive, newsletter only content delivered straight to you inbox.

Link Copied!

Share

Feature image of Kungfupunk Goes Global: ‘Phantom Blade Zero’ Sells 4 Million in 3 Days

Kungfupunk Goes Global: ‘Phantom Blade Zero’ Sells 4 Million in 3 Days

China’s new AAA martial arts action RPG, made with help from Donnie Yen, broke Steam records and became the country’s biggest gaming hit since Black Myth: Wukong. Find out why.

PULSE

Tap into the latest in music, fashion, art, design, entertainment, pop culture, celebrity news, and contemporary culture

DISCOVER

Embark on a journey through food, travel, wellness, heritage, traditional culture, and lifestyle

STYLE

An insider’s look at the intersection of fashion, art, and design

FEAST

Titillate your taste buds with coverage of the best food and drink trends from China and beyond.

FUTURE

Explore the cutting edge in tech, AI, gadgets, gaming, and innovative tech-related products

FEAST

Titillate your taste buds with coverage of the best food and drink trends from China and beyond

STYLE

An insider’s look at the intersection of fashion, art, and design

PULSE

Unpacking Chinese youth culture through coverage of nightlife, film, sports, celebrities, and the hottest new music