Phantom Blade Zero's First Post-Launch Patch Makes an Early Boss Easier
S-GAME's latest update adjusts Hua, Deadly Betrothed, and improves shader loading and controller support on PC.
Phantom Blade Zero has received its first post-launch update, making one of its challenging early bosses easier to defeat. Developer S-GAME released the patch for PS5 and PC on November 4, 2026, just days after the action RPG launched on October 29.
The update reduces the frequency of grab attacks used by Hua, Deadly Betrothed, on two difficulty settings. It also includes combat adjustments, new audio options, performance improvements, and several bug fixes.
Hua's Deadly Grab Attacks Are Now Less Frequent
Hua, Deadly Betrothed, is an optional boss found in Weeping Creek Valley, one of the game's opening regions. Players can encounter her beneath the Sha-Chi Tower, where her powerful grab attacks make the fight particularly dangerous early in the adventure.
S-GAME has reduced how often Hua uses these attacks on Wayfarer and Pathbreaker, the game's easy and normal difficulty settings. Players on Hellwalker and 66 Days will face the same attack frequency as before.
The adjustment gives players more opportunities to respond during the encounter without removing the challenge entirely. The patch notes do not mention any changes to Hua's health or damage.
PS5 Update Improves Combat Feedback and Fixes Progression Bugs
Beyond the boss adjustment, the update introduces two audio options: Hit Sound Intensity and Hit Impact Sound Intensity. Players can use these settings to customize the sound of weapon strikes and combat impacts.
S-GAME has also refined weapon feedback and adjusted the behaviour of certain enemies, bosses, and environmental mechanisms. Performance has been improved in selected areas, although the developer has not provided specific frame-rate figures.
Several bug fixes address problems that could prevent progression or cause characters to become stuck in the environment. The patch also resolves various combat, cutscene, and visual issues.
PC Players Get Faster Startup Times and Controller Improvements
The PC version receives additional changes to shader compilation. Ray tracing shaders no longer compile automatically when the game starts, which should reduce loading times for players who do not use the feature.
Players who previously had ray tracing disabled will need to complete a one-time shader compilation after updating. Enabling ray tracing later will trigger a separate compilation when the game restarts.
The patch also allows PC players to remap the Interact/Talk control and reduces stuttering when using Bluetooth controllers. NVIDIA Reflex now works with V-Sync enabled when set to Auto.
The developer says it will continue monitoring feedback and addressing issues in future updates.
Framed for the death of his master and left with a ruined heart, Soul has sixty-six days to live. Alone and hunted by his former comrades, he moves through a world of shifting loyalties and silent blades — determined to unravel the conspiracy that has condemned him.
