Phantom Blade Zero cracked despite new Denuvo protection as game achieves high player counts on Steam

A hacker has found a new approach to the reinforced DRM system.

Phantom Blade Zero was released in late October on PC via Steam and PlayStation 5 consoles. The PC version is protected by the notorious Denuvo.

DRM developers recently strengthened the software, so the usual hypervisor-based bypass method no longer worked. However, a hacker known as ARTIFACT recently began testing a new workaround solution.

ARTIFACT reported releasing an “experimental crack.” The modified hypervisor bypasses the improved Denuvo version, and some pirates have already managed to launch Phantom Blade Zero. However, the hacker warns that this solution is still being tested and carries a risk of a BSOD.

As before, the hypervisor-based Denuvo bypass requires disabling PC security systems.

The Denuvo bypass on release day did not stop the wuxia adventure from S-GAME Studio from achieving impressive concurrent player numbers on Steam. The count has already surpassed 500,000 players and continues to grow gradually.

Early reviews for Phantom Blade Zero on Steam are “very positive,” holding an 81% rating. Some users are unhappy because they feel the game is too simple.