Stellar Blade Review: Gameplay Impressions, Videos and Top Features

Stellar Blade from developer Shift Up has been one of those hotly-anticipated titles for years now that lurks in the background as a possible heavy hitter.

Initially announced as Project Eve back in 2019 for the PlayStation 4, it arrives on PlayStation 5 as a captivating-looking third-person action game ripe with anime combat influences, a post-apocalyptic world and the promise of gameplay depth that will appeal to the masses.

Of course, those themes have been hit by others plenty in the years since the Shift Up peeled back the proverbial curtain on the project. The landscape of what appeals to players has dramatically shifted with the likes of Elden Ring and other Soulslike games, too.

But with some stunning visuals, flashy settings, characters and combat that leans heavily into counters as much as it does going on the offensive, there's a recipe for Stellar Blade to meet or exceed its simmering hype.

Graphics and Gameplay

Leaning into Unreal Engine 4 and the horsepower of the PlayStation 5, Stellar Blade doesn't have any problems grabbing attention and refusing to let go.

These are some of the best visuals to date in gaming, when considering the stunning variety of environments, be it mechanical, automated corridors or sweeping outside areas with many things off on the horizon and impressive skyboxes.

There are nitpicks players might find, sure, like some too-smooth textures here and there on the floor or uninspired water when near it. But there's a balance—those seeking some quiet-yet-there environmental storytelling only need to slow down and observe say, lush plants creeping up to and slowly taking over an urban area, for example.

Character models look great, animation is top-notch and the physics on items like hair flow impressively amid a system that throws shadows well. It's a flashy Bayonetta-styled or similar visual treat to the eyes, when one can take a break from the fever pitch that is focusing the dance of combat.

It has a little bit of everything in this regard. There's bloody gore, mechanical threats, ancient-looking areas, slowed-down-time mechanics where the air distorts with the passing of a blade and enemy variety is all sorts of sci-fi goodness, from zombies to machines to the outright absurd.

Tack on fun anime-inspired cutscenes, too, plus it also scores points for a rather minimalist user interface (UI), which really lets the engrossing areas and swaths of enemies occupy the critical screen space. The sound design adds satisfying emphasis to combat and the score is fittingly diverse, while the voice acting keeps things engrossing.

Players will route through these interesting areas with a few different means of environmental traversal beyond just running, such as swimming or hanging off ledges to get past obstacles. Along the way, they will encounter some so-so platforming sections that don't feel all that engaging. One might say the same for puzzles encountered, but as a pacing tool to break up the endless combat, they work well enough and feel like they have a place in the world.

Combat, at its most basic, sees players use face buttons to do light or heavy attacks in combos. One could argue the depth and complexity comes from playing defense though, not offense.

This is fun, quick timing-based combat through and through, with counters opening up big chances for damage, including a special attack dubbed Retribution. Players also wield two types of dodges to their advantage. Blink is a forward timing-based dodge, while Repulse is the opposite.

A Beta Gauge, once filled, permits the use of various skills, including the ability to interrupt enemy combos or penetrate armor. This gauge fills through those parries and evasions. A Burst Gauge fills the same way and can unleash special attacks.

All of these attack and defense options are synergistic in a way that is downright thrilling when put into practice. Proper management of the gauges is a must for success amid the fray. Moreso than most games (Soulslike or not) in this space, it truly feels rewarding to study, learn and counter enemy attack patterns in Stellar Blade.

Speaking of timing and rhythm, a basic shield mechanic is an important piece of the puzzle too. If the bar depletes, players take much, much more damage from enemy attacks. It's a nice way to balance the action and ask players not to mindlessly hack-and-slash away at close range.

Making it feel all the more engaging is the excellent use of the PlayStation 5 controller's haptic feedback, which varies in its vibrations based on attack strength.

There is eventually a way to attack from range, too. Though it is fun to weave this in, especially when mobbed, the melee combat tends to remain the star of the show. It can, however, serve as a key during boss battles, where different phases of the often grandiose setpieces requiring new strategies to advance and win.

Players will juggle items like potions to maintain health and otherwise, including one that permits the use of resetting the skill tree, which helps exploration and the grind of combat feel rewarding.

Story and More

Eve, an Airborne Squad member, finds herself deployed to Earth to fight back against the evil Naytiba, which forced humanity off-world.

In the process, she and players discover the last surviving city, Xion, and its inhabitants, including a few key characters and go from there.

Indeed, Stellar Blade's narrative isn't going to help players rethink storytelling in the medium. One of Eve's first survivors encountered, after all, is named Adam (Adam and Eve, get it?).

Yet, it's hard not to get invested in the narrative anyway, provided players enjoy the usual post-apocalyptic world backdrop. The narrative takes expected beats but does so in so many appealing-looking areas that sometimes the tale is a secondary item.

There are also optional side quests for players to tackle that feel worth doing for the rewards alone, never mind if one fancies themselves a completionist.

For example, in a seeming nod to recent big releases in the genre, camps are more than just save points. These can actually deliver story content and background too in the form of conversations or even flashbacks.

Ditto for the ability to find shortcuts back to checkpoints, though said tracks can also have new enemies in previously unexpected areas, so it's always wise not to auto-pilot, anyway, really. The semi-open-world is nice to have and shakes free of linear trappings well.

This is a theme that extends elsewhere too, with exploration also rewarded even in spaces like the bigger base city.

When it comes to overall progression, players won't find themselves shocked by the skill tree on offer. But there's something to be said for an easy-to-digest rollout of abilities and simple strategy that keeps players in the action, not trying to stumble through menus for minor bonuses like in other games.

Just as big, if not bigger in terms of progression, is the gear system. This can modify gameplay in the form of bonuses to attacks, combos or even damage received. A favorite is sure to be gear that boosts attack speed. Gear added to other bonuses from trees and items is where players can really grab some agency in a great way.

Another expected-but-good note is customization in the form of discoverable costumes. It's yet another boon in the form of rewarding players who take the time to explore and simple agency over characters throughout the experience. At least at launch, there aren't major exploitary microtransactions on this front either, which players could've been forgiven for worrying about.

There's also a respectable push to appeal to as many players as possible. While the pick-up-and-play potential is there alongside the promise of depth, it's nice to see a training room players can use for practice.

Stellar Blade offers normal and story mode difficulties, too, so players who don't want the challenge can still take in the chaos in a stress-free manner. Accessibility options, including a toggle that puts prompts on the screen to reveal proper timing, highlight a robust package of menu offerings.

It goes as far as offering three different performance modes too, though it will be a case-by-case on which one players choose. But overall, the game runs well despite the impressive feats occurring on screen.

Conclusion

At this point, it's an immeasureably tall task for a new game to stand out amongst the super-strong 2024 release calendar already, never mind when looping in the historic-feeling 2023 offerings.

Yet, Sony has another original hit on its hands with Stellar Blade.

Boasting wide appeal, yet pick-up-and-play potential well balanced with impressive depth, Stellar Blade hits the right notes to achieve success as a new entry to the market.

Stellar Blade isn't going to barge its way into Game of the Year conversations necessarily, but there has always been room for Devil May Cry-styled games. The sheer fun factor and the length it goes to give players control across the board is laud-worthy and the fact this could only be the beginning of a bigger series is impressive, indeed.