How long is Phantom Blade Zero? What players report so far

No player has reported finishing Phantom Blade Zero yet. It came out on PC at 01:45 UTC on 29 October 2026, and by that evening the longest playtimes in its reviews ran to about 18 hours.¹ Here's what players have found about its length so far.

The first area takes 5 to 11 hours

Players reach the game's second area after 5 to 11 hours, depending on how much they explore and how many optional fights they take on. Players who explore it fully and fight its bosses take 8 to 11 hours.¹

What makes it longer

• Exploration. Players describe large areas full of secrets, side content and items they can only reach once they have the right weapon, so going back pays off.¹
• Side quests. S-GAME says completing some side quests can open new story paths.²
• Difficulty. Hellwalker's bosses take several tries for many players, while Wayfarer is the mode for players who mainly want the story.^1,2 Our difficulty guide covers each mode.
• Sixty-Six Days. Players report that this mode opens only after a first run, as a reason to play again.¹

What keeps it moving

Beaten enemies stay dead, even after you rest, and a boss's cleared phases stay cleared when you die. Players say that cuts the retries and grinding of a soulslike, and some of them would rather have enemies come back.¹

More on Phantom Blade Zero

See what players say about the game, how many people are playing it and its PC performance.