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How Long to Beat
About 20 hours for the main story, going by director Soulframe Liang's most recent estimate (December 2025). His 2024 figure was 20 to 30 hours, with side quests, collectibles and challenges adding another 20 to 30. These are developer estimates made before S-GAME trimmed some content in June 2026, so treat them as a guide until the game is out.
Last verified Sep 28, 2026. Every figure below is dated, because S-GAME's estimate has changed over time.
At a glance
Main story
About 20 hours. Liang in December 2025: "if players only run the main story, about twenty hours". In June 2024 he had said 20 to 30.
Source: Media studio visit, Dec 2025 (via Gamersky); GamesBeat interview, Jun 2024
Reported
Main + side content
Roughly 40 to 60 hours, from Liang's June 2024 estimate: side quests, collectibles and challenges "might take another 20 or 30 hours". In December 2025 he would only say a full clear "varies from player to player and could be very long".
Source: GamesBeat interview, Jun 19, 2024
Confirmed
Platinum trophy
Possible in a single playthrough, even on Wayfarer, the easiest difficulty. Liang: every trophy can be earned on the first three difficulties, so 66 Days is not needed. No hour figure has been given.
Source: Liang's post on Bilibili and Weibo, Sep 9–10, 2026 (via Push Square, Wccftech, Gamersky)
Reported
Second playthrough
66 Days only unlocks after you finish the game on Pathbreaker or Hellwalker, and Liang says some weapons dropped by late bosses are really meant for a second run.
Source: State of Play difficulty menu; Liang on Weibo, Sep 9, 2026 (via Gamersky)
Reported
Every estimate, dated
Why sites disagree: many still quote an older figure without saying when it was given.
May 2023 Full playthrough
30–40 h
Jun 2024 Main story
20–30 h
Jun 2024 Main + side content
40–60 h
Dec 2025 Main story
about 20 h
0 h20 h40 h60 h
May 2023
Early Chinese coverage put a full playthrough at 30 to 40 hours. This predates every later estimate and the 2026 content trim.
Jun 2024
Liang to GamesBeat: "For the main story, it's about a 20 or 30 hour campaign. But there are also tons of side quests, collectibles, and challenges that might take another 20 or 30 hours."
Dec 2025
At a media studio visit, Liang put a main-story-only run at about 20 hours. A full clear, with every side quest and challenge, "varies from player to player and could be very long". Side quests decide whether you can reach the best ending.
Jun 2026
Announcing the 50-day delay, Liang said the team had spent recent months trimming content and focusing on polishing a core part of it. No new length was given.
Sep 2026
Liang in a post on Bilibili and Weibo: every trophy can be earned in one playthrough on the first three difficulties, Wayfarer included, so 66 Days is not needed for the platinum; 66 Days opens on a second playthrough.
For what each difficulty changes, see Difficulty Modes.
FAQ
How long is Phantom Blade Zero?
About 20 hours for the main story, going by Soulframe Liang's most recent estimate (December 2025). His earlier figure was 20 to 30. These are developer estimates made before S-GAME trimmed some content in 2026; real playtimes will be known after the October 29 launch.
How long does it take to 100% Phantom Blade Zero?
No current figure. In 2024 Liang said side quests, collectibles and challenges could add 20 to 30 hours to a 20 to 30 hour story, which suggests 40 to 60 hours in total. In late 2025 he would only say a full clear varies a lot between players.
Can you get the platinum in one playthrough?
Yes, according to Liang: he wrote in September 2026 that every trophy can be earned in a single playthrough on any of the first three difficulties, even Wayfarer, the easiest. 66 Days is not needed. See our trophy guide for details.
Is there New Game Plus?
There is a second playthrough: 66 Days mode only unlocks after you finish the game on Pathbreaker or Hellwalker, and Liang says some late-game boss weapons are meant for a second run. What carries over has not been detailed.
Does Phantom Blade Zero have multiple endings?
Yes. Liang has said there are multiple endings and that side quests affect whether you can reach the best one. Running out of days in 66 Days mode leads to its own bad ending.
Why do sites give different lengths?
Because S-GAME's estimate has changed: 30 to 40 hours in 2023 coverage, 20 to 30 plus side content in 2024, about 20 for the main story in late 2025. Many pages still quote an older figure without a date.