Phantom Blade Zero Scores 9/10 from IGN: A Sekiro Veteran's Verdict

IGN's Travis Northup, a hardcore action game fan, gave Phantom Blade Zero a 9/10, praising its combat and bosses as some of the best in years.

Phantom Blade Zero just got a big thumbs-up from IGN, and it's not from just anyone. The outlet dropped a 9/10 review on October 26, and the reviewer, Travis Northup, knows his stuff when it comes to action games.

Northup called the game's combat and boss fights some of the best he's experienced in recent years. Even after 50 hours, he says the fighting never got old. That's high praise from someone who's put serious time into Sekiro, Ninja Gaiden, Devil May Cry, and Bayonetta.

Those games are known for demanding tight timing, deep mechanics, and high skill ceilings, so Northup's take carries extra weight. He described Phantom Blade Zero as an incredibly fluid action game with impressive bosses, an engaging combat system, and unmatched swagger.

The combat really stands out. Over a 50-hour playthrough, it kept him hooked from start to finish. He also loved exploring the game's distinctive world, even though almost everyone and everything in it wants the protagonist dead.

Of course, it's not perfect. Northup pointed out that the story of betrayal and revenge plays it pretty safe, and some invisible walls and technical hiccups can be annoying. But those issues didn't overshadow the overall experience.

For a game built around fast-paced combat and intense boss battles, keeping a veteran of Sekiro and Devil May Cry hungry for more after 50 hours is a strong testament to its design. Phantom Blade Zero launches on October 29 for PC and PS5.

Are you planning to pick it up on day one? Let us know what you think!