# Phantom Blade Zero: documenting the PBZS v3 save format

> Phantom Blade Zero Save Format documents the PBZS v3 save container used by the game's Steam PC release. It maps the cleartext header, AES-256-GCM block framing, directory records and slot compression codes, and includes a Node.js script that checks file structure and SHA-256.

- Type: Case study
- Targets: Game
- Category: Independent reconstruction cases
- Relationship: Independent reconstruction project
- Sources reviewed: 2026-11-06
- Added to the catalog: 2026-11-08
- Original resource: <https://github.com/fancydirty/phantom-blade-zero-save-format>
- Primary source: <https://github.com/fancydirty/phantom-blade-zero-save-format/blob/3f7ce83b1a21bad54280309f9e88d444fdd5d7a3/README.md>
- Catalog page: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/phantom-blade-zero-save-format-case/>
- Record JSON: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/phantom-blade-zero-save-format-case/record.json>
- Chinese version: [简体中文](https://awesomerea.org/zh/resources/phantom-blade-zero-save-format-case/index.md)

## Requirements & limits

- **Prerequisites:** Supply a PBZSaveGame.sav file to inspect.
- **Prerequisites:** Node.js 18 or newer is required for verify-pbzs.mjs.
- **Scope:** The included script checks structure and SHA-256.
- **License:** MIT licence.

## Primary sources

1. <https://github.com/fancydirty/phantom-blade-zero-save-format/blob/3f7ce83b1a21bad54280309f9e88d444fdd5d7a3/README.md>

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## About this entry

The description was reviewed against primary sources.
Original editorial content: MIT. Linked projects, papers and assets retain their own rights and licenses.