Ethan Crossfield 
Players deciding whether to pre-order, watch launch coverage, or wait for early community impressions have a clear signal to follow: Phantom Blade Zero has surged to second place on Steam's global top-seller ranking with only days remaining before release. The chart position does not confirm total sales across all platforms, but it points to substantial PC interest in S-Game's upcoming action RPG.
What changed on Steam
Phantom Blade Zero was listed at No. 2 on Steam's Global Top Sellers chart at the time of the report, trailing only Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4. Its placement put it ahead of Cyberpunk 2077 as well as major free-to-play titles including Dota 2, Counter-Strike 2, AION 2, and PUBG: Battlegrounds. That is a notable pre-launch result for a new single-player-focused release, especially with the game still three days from launch when the ranking was observed.
Steam's sales chart reflects commercial activity rather than a confirmed player count, so it should not be read as a direct measure of concurrent users or long-term performance. Still, climbing that high before release suggests the game has converted a sizable amount of interest into purchases.
Who should keep an eye on the game
Phantom Blade Zero is a third-person action RPG from Chinese developer and publisher S-Game. The project was initially teased in 2016 before receiving its formal reveal during the May 2023 PlayStation Showcase. Its combat identity is built around a Wuxia-inspired style, while its world and progression incorporate elements associated with Soulslike and Metroidvania design.
That combination makes the game particularly relevant to players who enjoy demanding action systems but want something outside the usual fantasy-Souls format. Early critical reception has also been strong: OpenCritic showed a 91 Top Critic Average and a 100% recommendation score, placing it among the site's five highest-rated games of 2026 at the time cited. Those figures can change as more reviews are added, but they give prospective buyers a reason to track launch-day feedback closely.
What comes next for buyers
There are two digital pre-order options on PC and PlayStation 5. The Standard Edition costs $59.99, while the Deluxe Edition is priced at $69.99. Phantom Blade Zero will launch digitally first; a physical edition is planned for next year, alongside an Ultimate Edition that includes a steelbook.
No official Steam or PS5 sales totals have been announced. Analytics firm Alinea Analytics estimated that the game had sold more than 500,000 copies on Steam as of October 21, generating roughly $24 million for S-Game. Those figures are not publisher-confirmed, so they should be treated as third-party estimates rather than final sales data. The same report indicated positive pre-launch signs on PS5 but did not provide a platform total.
What players should know
- Phantom Blade Zero reached No. 2 on Steam's Global Top Sellers chart before release.
- The game is scheduled to arrive digitally on PC and PlayStation 5 first.
- Standard and Deluxe digital editions are priced at $59.99 and $69.99 respectively.
- A physical release and steelbook-equipped Ultimate Edition are planned for next year.
- Reported Steam sales estimates are not official figures from S-Game.
Expert View
The Steam ranking is a meaningful early demand indicator, and the review aggregate gives action-RPG fans a solid reason to pay attention. However, prospective players should avoid treating pre-launch sales estimates or chart placement as proof of a flawless launch. Waiting for performance reports and broader player impressions remains sensible for anyone unsure about the game's combat style or PC optimization.
