PGC NEWS

The 2021 PlayStation Showcase introduced the world to Project EVE, a promising new action title from Korean developer Shift Up. Now officially titled Stellar Blade, this PS5 exclusive has garnered significant attention, both positive and negative, for its striking visuals, challenging combat, and controversial character design. Does it live up to the hype? Let’s delve into the world of Stellar Blade and find out.

Stellar Blade

A Combat System to Master

Stellar Blade draws clear inspiration from NieR: Automata, sharing a similar dystopian setting and a focus on fast-paced action. Players control EVE, a skilled warrior tasked with reclaiming Earth from the monstrous Naytiba. The combat system blends light and heavy attacks into satisfying combos, but unlike 2B’s free-flowing style, Stellar Blade demands precision and patience.

Stellar Blade

Even low-level Naytiba can pose a threat with their cunning ambushes and relentless attacks. Mastering the parry and dodge mechanics is crucial for survival, as mistiming even slightly can lead to a swift defeat. Successful parries deplete an enemy’s Balance meter, opening them up for a devastating Retribution attack.

Stellar Blade

Similar to Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice‘s Mikiri Counter, EVE possesses unique defensive maneuvers like Blink and Repulse, allowing her to outmaneuver enemies and exploit their weaknesses. These abilities, combined with a robust ranged combat system, create a dynamic and engaging experience.

Stellar Blade

The true depth of combat lies in the Beta and Burst Chain abilities, reminiscent of Clive’s abilities in Final Fantasy XVI. These powerful attacks are fueled by energy gained through successful parries, adding another layer of strategic depth to the already demanding combat system. As players progress and unlock more abilities, the combat becomes increasingly spectacular, akin to scenes from a high-octane anime.

EVE’s powerful abilities add a spectacular flair to combat.

Exploration and RPG Elements

Stellar Blade features a semi-open world with linear sections, requiring occasional backtracking to unlock secrets and shortcuts. The world is filled with diverse environments, from the desolate Eidos 7 to the cyberpunk-inspired Xion, each offering unique challenges and visual flair. Puzzles and platforming sections break up the combat and maintain a consistent pace.

Stellar Blade’s world offers a variety of environments to explore.

The game also includes side quests and requests that reward players with valuable items and upgrades, including cosmetic options for EVE. Refreshingly, all items are obtainable through in-game currency, avoiding the pitfalls of microtransactions.

Exploration rewards players with valuable items and upgrades.

A Visual and Auditory Feast

Despite utilizing the older Unreal Engine 4, Stellar Blade boasts impressive visuals, showcasing Shift Up’s artistic vision. The character designs, crafted by renowned artist Kim Hyung Tae, are undeniably striking. The soundtrack, featuring contributions from Japanese artists like Keiichi Okabe, further elevates the experience with its evocative melodies and dynamic range.

Downtime activities offer a change of pace from the intense action.

The game also boasts impressive performance, consistently maintaining a smooth framerate even with complex effects.

EVE’s traversal abilities allow for dynamic exploration.

A Narrative Shortcoming

While Stellar Blade excels in its presentation and gameplay, the narrative falls short. EVE’s character development feels underdeveloped, and the supporting cast lacks depth. The dialogue often feels stilted and unnatural, hindering emotional investment in the story. Side quests also suffer from a lack of meaningful narrative context.

Stellar Blade

Conclusion

Stellar Blade delivers a thrilling and demanding action experience with a stunning visual presentation and a captivating soundtrack. However, its underdeveloped narrative and occasionally awkward dialogue prevent it from reaching its full potential. Despite these flaws, Stellar Blade is a worthy addition to the PS5 library for fans of challenging action games.

Stellar Blade

Stellar Blade

Stellar Blade

Stellar Blade