© Shift Up / Sony Interactive Entertainment
Stellar Blade is a stunning, combat-driven action adventure that delivers exhilarating swordplay and breathtaking visuals, though its thin story and flat characters hold it back from true greatness. 8/10 – highly recommended for fans of stylish action games who prioritize satisfying combat and spectacle over deep narrative.
I played Stellar Blade on PS5 later after its release, logging about 32 hours for the main story and around 55 hours going for a near-100% completionist run (including most side quests, collectibles, and one full New Game+ playthrough for the different endings). Coming in with no prior expectations beyond the hype around its protagonist, Eve, and the combat previews, I finished the game feeling entertained and impressed by its strengths, but also aware of its limitations. It’s a bold debut console effort from Shift Up that feels like a love letter to character-action games, with some Souls-like and Nier: Automata-inspired DNA, flashy and confident, and unapologetically focused on making Eve look and feel incredible.
Story & Writing
Stellar Blade follows Eve, a member of the 7th Airborne Squad sent from the orbital Colony to reclaim a ruined Earth overrun by monstrous Naytiba creatures. After a disastrous drop, she teams up with scavenger Adam and engineer Lily in the last human city of Xion, hunting Hyper Cells and powerful Alpha Naytiba to fulfill her mission under the enigmatic Mother Sphere. The plot has classic sci-fi elements, post-apocalyptic reclamation, hidden truths about humanity’s past, AI gods, and moral gray areas, with some intriguing lore reveals about the origins of the Naytiba and Andro-Eidos androids.
The structure is relatively linear with hub-based exploration in Xion and larger open-ish zones for missions. It builds to some epic set pieces and boss confrontations, but the pacing is uneven: early hours hook you with mystery and action, the middle drags a bit with fetch-quest side content and repetitive enemy waves, and the finale delivers stronger emotional and philosophical beats (especially around identity and sacrifice). Twists are somewhat predictable if you’ve played games like Nier: Automata, and the dialogue can feel stiff or awkwardly translated at times. It’s serviceable as a vehicle for the action, with fascinating world-building in data logs and environmental storytelling, but it never reaches the narrative heights of its inspirations. The multiple endings add some replay incentive and depth on subsequent playthroughs.
Characters & Bonds
Eve is the clear star ,stylish, capable, and visually iconic, with fluid animations that make her feel like a supermodel warrior. Her growth mostly comes through combat mastery and quiet moments rather than deep personality arcs; she’s somewhat stoic and reactive, which works for the power fantasy but leaves her feeling a bit flat compared to more expressive protagonists. Supporting cast Adam and Lily provide decent banter and companionship, with some likable side NPCs in Xion whose short questlines add flavor (though many wrap up abruptly without much payoff).
Bonding is light; there is no full social link system here, but interactions in the hub and during missions build enough investment in the trio’s dynamic . The game leans heavily into Eve’s design and numerous unlockable outfits/hairstyles, which some celebrate as empowering style, and others criticize as overly sexualized. It never feels distracting during combat, but it defines much of the game’s confident, flashy identity.
Gameplay & Combat
This is where Stellar Blade truly shines and earns its score. The core combat is a tight mix of hack-and-slash combos, precise parrying, dodging, and perfect timing windows. Eve’s Blood Edge sword delivers satisfying light/heavy attacks, while Beta Skills, Burst Skills, and a drone gun add variety and spectacle. Enemies telegraph attacks with color cues (yellow for dodge, blue/pink for parry counters), rewarding observation and mastery. Get the timing right, and you feel unstoppable with stylish finishers and crowd-clearing moves.
Boss battles are highlights: varied, visually epic, and demanding without being unfair, evolving as you unlock new abilities. Regular encounters stay engaging thanks to enemy variety and the way skills open up new strategies. Exploration mixes linear paths with some light platforming and backtracking in semi-open zones, plus side quests, fishing, and minigames for breaks. Difficulty balances well on Normal (challenging but fair; Hard ramps up the precision nicely), with minimal grinding needed if you engage with upgrades via Body/ Beta Cores and gear.
New Game+ carries over progress and lets you tackle higher difficulties or different endings, adding solid replay value. However, some platforming and puzzles feel clunky, but they don’t overshadow the combat loop.
Presentation (Visuals, Sound, Technical)
Stellar Blade is one of the best-looking PS5 games, with gorgeous character models (Eve’s animations and hair physics are standout), detailed monster designs, and atmospheric post-apocalyptic environments that range from ruined cities to striking natural vistas. The 2D/3D mix and lighting pop, especially in boss arenas. Performance is excellent in balanced or performance modes, with smooth framerates and quick loading.
The soundtrack is a massive strength, with dynamic, energetic tracks blending orchestral, electronic, and vocal elements that elevate fights and exploration (standout boss themes and the catchy title song). Voice work supports the tone well, with quantity focused on key moments rather than constant chatter.
UI is clean, and the menus are straightforward, with good quality-of-life features like fast travel.
Comparison to Expectations as a Debut Action Game
As Shift Up’s first major console title, Stellar Blade exceeds expectations in combat and presentation while falling short in narrative depth. It sits comfortably alongside games like Nier: Automata (shared vibes in story/themes and android protagonist) or Bayonetta/DMC in stylish action flair, but with more emphasis on parry-focused timing akin to Sekiro or lighter Souls elements. It’s not as mechanically dense as the best character action games nor as lore-rich as Nier, but it carves its own identity through confidence and spectacle. It sets up potential for sequels nicely with its world and endings, feeling like a complete experience rather than a half-baked bridge.
Who Should Play It? / Final Score & Recommendation
Stellar Blade is ideal for fans of stylish action games who crave fluid, rewarding combat, stunning visuals, and a power-fantasy protagonist with tons of customization. If you loved the spectacle of Bayonetta, the atmosphere of Nier, or just want a gorgeous solo adventure with meaty boss fights, dive in, especially on sale or via PS Plus if available. Skip or wait if you need a strong, unpredictable story, deep character writing, or open-world freedom; the RPG-lite elements and side content won’t satisfy lore completionists on their own.
Final Verdict
Stellar Blade delivers a thrilling, gorgeous ride that excels where it matters most for an action game, making you feel like an unstoppable, stylish warrior in a beautifully realized world. While its story and characters don’t reach the same heights, the combat highs, visual spectacle, and overall polish make it a standout debut that’s well worth playing.
Eve’s journey to reclaim Earth is flashy, fun, and fiercely entertaining, highly recommended for action fans.
Leave a Reply