Action role-playing game Video Games Chronicle is officially set for release on October 29, according to developer S-Game. The Beijing-based studio behind the project is known for the Rainblood series, which includes some of the first indie games published in China, and has expanded the franchise into the Phantom Blade series. The game is scheduled to launch on PlayStation 5 and PC, with pre-orders currently open across digital storefronts including the PlayStation 5, Steam, and the Epic Games Store.
Phantom Blade Zero Sets October 29 Launch Date
Pricing for the title is set at $59.99 for the standard edition, which includes the Treasure Basin accessory and the Legacy outfit as pre-order bonuses. A deluxe edition is also available for $69.99, featuring those same bonuses alongside the Wulin Legend and Blood-Steel Form outfits, a digital artbook, and a soundtrack. Additionally, players who pre-order the game on the Epic Games Store will receive Soul’s cosmetic set in Fortnite as a gift-with-purchase.
Donnie Yen Joins Cast as Mó Yuan and Creative Consultant
Alongside the release date confirmation, S-Game unveiled an 11-minute pre-order trailer revealing that Hong Kong martial arts film star Donnie Yen is heavily involved in the project. Yen has been serving as the game’s creative consultant since 2023, bringing his martial arts and action filmmaking expertise to the combat design to help deliver an authentic kung fu experience. The connection stems in part from S-Game founder Soulframe Liang’s recruitment of action director Kenji Tanigaki, a long-time member of Yen’s stunt team.
Beyond his behind-the-scenes role, Yen has lent his facial likeness and motion capture to play Mó Yuan, the father of the game’s protagonist, Soul. The reveal unmasks the character as the mysterious swordsman seen protecting a baby in the game’s initial reveal trailer. The narrative follows Soul, a former assassin for The Order who has a 66-day countdown to live after being framed for his master’s murder and hunted by former allies.
Dedicated State of Play Presentation Announced
To further showcase the title, Sony announced a dedicated PlayStation State of Play presentation solely focused on Phantom Blade Zero. The broadcast is scheduled for August 17 at 7:00 p.m. PT, or 10:00 p.m. ET, with some international timezones placing it in the early hours of August 18.
According to S-Game founder and CEO Soulframe Liang, the extended trailer is only the beginning. The upcoming State of Play deep dive aims to introduce never-before-seen characters central to the story, demonstrate player expression through individual builds, and provide a much closer look at intricate gameplay systems, dynamic combat, and the dark wuxia setting known as the Phantom World.
Digital-Only Release Prompts Consumer Debate
The pre-order rollout and upcoming broadcast arrive amid broader industry discussions regarding distribution formats. ign.com is currently available for pre-order solely in digital formats, leaving it presently unknown if a physical disc version will be released. This aligns with Sony’s shift toward digital formats in response to shifting consumer preferences, backed by company financials showing an 82% digital download ratio for full game software across PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.
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