Phantom Blade Zero has arrived and is already climbing Steam’s most played list, yet a day one update is waiting that players should install before starting.
Beyond closing a range of bugs, the patch adds performance gains for both PC and console users. It is about 5GB on PC and 2GB on PS5, where it is shown as version 1.301.524.
The update refines ray tracing and path tracing, helping the lighting and shadows stand out more clearly, while rasterization improvements make sure the game’s visual identity still comes through well even when ray tracing is off.
Put simply, the game should still run and look strong on mid-range PCs and handheld systems such as the Steam Deck. Although Valve has not yet given it Steam Deck Verified status, S-Game says handheld hardware has been tested extensively, so approval may not be far off.
For PC users, the team also reported possible stability concerns with Nvidia driver 621.01. S-Game said the newest Nvidia driver, 621.01, can show unstable performance in some cases.
To get the best results, the developer suggests reverting to 617.42 for now, though Nvidia will likely release an updated driver soon.
Below are the day one patch details for Phantom Blade Zero, shared by Soulframe LIANG, creative director and CEO of S-Game:
- News surfaced earlier that the game’s original lead actor had been changed, and Sonic the Hedgehog actor Roger Craig Smith now leads the full release.
- The game earned a 9/10 in IGN’s review, with praise for its smooth action, striking boss encounters, strong combat, and bold style.
- Before entering the Phantom World, players can check a useful guide covering things Phantom Blade Zero does not explain, along with an in progress walkthrough and guides for weapons, accessories, and Phantom Edges.
Kirk McKeand writes for IGN News as a contributing contributor. Find him on Twitter @MckKirk
